Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-11-29
Death of Archie Hart.

The following additional particulars
in relation to the killing OF Sir. Archie
Hart tan account of which appeared
in our last issue) have been received:
The announcement was made that
Hart accidentally shot himself but later
developments 90 to show that he was
foully murdered. Magistrate Oliver
Eastburn, acting coroner, impanelled Il
Jury Thursday morning, who made as
thorough an examination as possible,
and from the evidence decided that
Hart came to his death from gun shot
wound fired by the hands of parties un-
known to the jury.
There has been vague suspicion III
the minds of the people that one Lewis
Sncllincs, a near ncighbor of Hart, had
something to do with the tragedy, as
he and Hart were known to be enemies.
and Snellings had been heard to make
threats against Hart. An investigation
was started, and it was discovered that
Snellings, although he claimed to have
been at home all the evening, was seen
coming from the woods, in which the
dead man was found. about i o'clock
that evening, that he visited several of
the colored neighbors, and about sun
set was seen on the road coming toward
town. that on Thursday morning he
went to Harris house while the author
tiles were out after the body. and gave
the dead mans wife ten dollars. JUS
tice Eastburn being fully convinced
that circumstances justified it, ordered
SnelIings' arrest and committed him TO
Jail. -.
As soon as Commemorative Attor-
ney Rawlings learned of the matter.
which was when the accused was car
ried TO the jail at the Courthouse.
he deemed it best to hold an autopsy
on the body of Hart, and ordered the
sheriff to summon DIR. VIM. Voorhees,
to meet the jury at the place OF the
murder on Friday morning.
DR.. Voorhees,, assisted by Sheriff
Harris, made careful examination of
the wound, then severed the head from
the body and thoroughly dissected it,
discovering that the load entered the
forehead, just over the eye, passing in
and downward. cutting away the neck
and cheek bones, and tearing away the
neck bones at the base OF the brain.
The skull was broken from the place of
entry in the forehead some two inches
back. Most of the shot were found i'm
bedded in the tongue and lacerated
flesh at the back of the neck. Some
shot were also found in the left arm,
ON which are several flesh wounds.
The autopsy having shown that the
charge entered the forehead instead OF
the lower side Of the face, dispellcd the
theory that Hart accidentally shot him
self while loading his gun, as was first
supposed.
Inc party accused Of the crime.
Lewis Snellings, is now, and has
been for the past year, neighbor OF
Harris. and he and Harris wife have
been accused of being criminally init
mate. Their conduct is said to have
been so reprehensible, so open in VIC
lation of the moral law, as to cause
disgust among the neighbors. and an,
CRY Indignation from the murdered
man. Hart has more than once told
persons that he knew of their conduct,
but was powerless to prevent it.
Snellings himself boasted of his liaison
with the woman, and is said to have
paid her expenses to Washington on
recent occasion when she and her hus-
band were at variance.
Snellings was given preliminary
hearing at Spottsylvania Courthouse
yesterday and Observation-Disclosures
burg Lance.