The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-09

as Accessory-Nat Newson Falls Into
Rough Hands at Dance and Dies of
His MISREPRESENTATION Lanier and Bob
Jefrreys Charged With the Crimc-A
Waterman Shot Mt Blucneld.
Susan Watkins, colored, was brutality
murdered about two miles from Salem
Monday night.
Tho woman was found Tuesday after
noon by negro boy, but the news did
not reach Salem until or o'clock
that night, and in consequence the
coroner's jury did not go out to the
scene of the murder until yesterday
morning early.
On reaching the scene they found the
murdered woman, apparently thirty-five
years OF age and dark mulatto, lying
i'll the branch in an unfrequented place
called Dark Hollow, back of Captain
Horner's place, and near settlement of
mountain negroes.
The woman had received a blow back
OF tho left ear which had broken tho
skull, and which Drs. Saunders, Baird,
and killian, who afterwards examined
the body, said caused her death. The
hCdo VI GnO MOllltu WIS OUncrWlSG nor
rlbly mashed, evidently with a rock.
III the left side of tho neck was a
small wound looking like one caused by
pistol shot, hut probing showed it
only extended short distance. The
supposition is that it was caused by the
woman falling on a sharp broken twig
There were no other wounds except
those made by the rock. She had sew
eral gold rings on her fingers, and a
gold watch was lying near her in the
branch.
Tho murdered woman was the first
lawful wife of Charles Watkins,
half white mulatto who has been of
late waiter at Hotel Felix. She
had tracked Watkins to Roanoke from
Chicago, where she came from. Wat
kins was living with another woman,
pure white, of German descent, who
came from Milwaukee. Sho was ar
rested in Roanoke yesterday by Deputy
Sheriff Webber. and lodged in Jail in
Salem.
She said her name before she married
Watkins was Eda Freburg, and that
She was born in Maysville, Wis, though
coming from Milwaukee last. Sho said
that on the night of the murder. Mon
day night, she was at Watkins grand
mothers house. His grandmother lives
on Brush mountain.
1t is thought generally that Eda is an
accessory to the murder of the colorcd
wife of We tkins. The grandmother says
that when Watkins and his white wife
came to her house Monday night, the
white woman's dress was very wet, but
it must be born in mind that rain was
falling that night. 1t is undisplted
that the colored women, Susan Watkins,
is the lawful wife of Watkins, but tho
white woman says she has the certif-
cate of her marriage with Watkins and
Las sent for it to Milwaukee.
Charles Watkins, the supposed muir
lurking in the mountains around Salem,
and it is said that some of the negroes
of Salem and the county are on the
hunt for him. Watkins second cousin
told The Times reporter yesterday
that Watkins would be lynched, if
caught by the negroes. There are
rumors that the negroes will try to
lynch the white woman, Watkins wife
No. 2, who is in the Jail here.
The jury has not yet rendered their
decision, not having finished their sit
tings, which were held in executive SEES
sion. 1t is thought they have some
very strong circumstantial evidence as
to the guilt of Watkins.
The body of the murdered woman was
brought to Salem yesterday morning
and all day throngs of colored men and
women visited Oakey's establishment to
see the dead woman. 1t is alleged that
she had her life insured for So, 1000, but
Watkins has the policy.
Watkins was engaged at Hotel Roam
oke as Il waiter about month ago, and
loft there about ten days since and was
then engaged at Hotel Felix. He was
paid off at Hotel Felix Tuesday morning
and was seen in company with his white
wife Tuesday afternoon by TINES re-
porter.
Watkins was at Oppenheim's EX-
change on Salem avenue late Tuesday
evening and purchased pint of wills
key He told Ed. Oppenhcim that he
had been in Roanoke three months,
engaged as waiter at Hotel Roanoke
and Hotel Felix. He said that he had
| been offered the position of head waiter
| at Hotel Ponce de Leon, but had de-
! clined, as he was not offered sufficient
salary. This is the latest account of
Watkins movements. Watkins told
Mr.. Oppenheim that he came here from
| Wisconsin.
NAT NEyVSON KILLED