Democratic messenger., 1892-01-09
LIFE DEATH STRUGGLE
Mr.. John ID. Kirby Attacked at
Midnight-A Youn. Ladies
Heroic Conduct.
Ccntrevillo Record.

highly respected farmer residing in PineA
Neck, and an unknown Negro man. I'll,
struggle took place in Mr.. Klrhy's front
yard. about forty feet from his door. The
principal facts adduccd al the inquest are
as follows:
"Abou, 40 o'clock last Sunday after
noon colored man called at the kitchen
and asked for water. Mrs Kirby, who
responded to his request directed him io
the pump few feet distant Instead OF
going To the pump he turned on his heels
and walked another direction. muttering
uninielligitle sentences. His conduct
was so strange and unhccoming in one
politely received and gently spoken 10, il
aroused Mrs. kirby's suspicion. She al
once informed her husband. who was at
the barn feeding his stock for the night.
When Mr. Kirny accompanied his wife to
the house the negro was seen leaving the
premises some distance away. Nothing
more was thought of the matter Two
hours later the negro again made his APP
pcarance. This time il was quite dark,
between six and seven T. NJ When ask
ed wha, he wanted he replied with an oath
If you fool with me | will show you
what want Mr. Kirby the second time
ordered him To leave the premises and
not to return again. lie did leave, max
ing imprudent and indecent replies as he
departed in different direction from
which he came. lie then visited several
near neighbors, mostly colored people,
To whom he was unknown, and gave
them much annoyance. All was quiet
until between eleven aud twelve clock
Mrs. Kirby was aroused by Wells and
songs which came nearer and nearer. She
at once awokc her husband and informed
him that she believed the negro was gO-
ing to pay him third visit. Mr.. Kirby
arose and donned his clothes. He first
went 10 the window and awaited the
negro's arriyal. He called TO him and
again ordered him 10 leave. He went
some distance and disappeared behind
the barn Mr. Kirby thinking it best 10
be sure of his departure, took his shot
gun and secreted himself in the yard
lie had not been there long before the
negro put in an appearance from behind
a COW pen. Again he was ordered To
leave, but PAID no attention whttever To
Mr. Kirby, who discharged one barrel Of
his gun in the mir hoping to frighten his
assailant. This had the effect To cause
him 10 stop, and Mr.. Kirby, very fortu
nately discharged the second barrel again
in the air, hoping TO put him to flight,
No sooner hud the smoke of the second
discharge cleared away than the negro
with rush, made for Mr.. Kirby with a
stout stick and struck him on the head.
which felled him to the ground. He
rushed at Mr.. Kirby again, jumped on
him. Mr.. Kirby called To his wife and
daughter, Miss Venie, delicate young
lady suffering with an attack OF the giip.
They at once responded. Miss Venie with
a stout stick with which she began 10
pound the negro over the head. The sec
Ond blow caused him Ia loosen his hold
on Mr. kirby's throat. In an instant Mr.
Kirby turned him when The struggle be
gan for life or death. The negro being
young. active and stout, proved too much
in a hand 10 ha nd struggle for a man like
Mr.. Kirby. upwards of 63 years OF age
This time both men rose 10 their feet, the
negro throwing Mr. Kirby against the
root of a tree and stunning him. Miss
Nenie's good work again came in. She
struck him blow over the head with a
hickory stick, which the negro took from
her. broke and threw away. He then
gave his attention to Mr.. Kirby who was
PROSTATE, and the negro got on top of
him. Miss Nenie made the third attack
To save her father. This time with n
stout piece of scantling. She gave him
several blows back OF the head which
stunned aud caused him 10 lawl for help.
lie cried o,,t Come out boys. let us kill
him Mr. Kirby again got the advantage,
and seizng piece of wood within easy
reach, gave him his quietus with il,
Aware that the negro was very much
stunned, Mr. Kirby struggled to his feet
To meet other assaiants should they put
in an appearance. He fully expected
so Justify and confidently They did not
come, however, and Mr.. Kirby and his
who at this time was IN her
night dress and without shoes or stock
ings, retired TO the house for consultation
and await developments. After the elapse
of an hour or more, one of Mr.. Kirby 5
farm hands, who lives in tenant house
some distance from the main dwelling.
came up 10 learn what the matter was,
lie was at once sent for neighbors. Cpon
their arrival an investigation showed that
the negro was dead, his skull having been
fractured"
The remains Of the negro were taken to
Queenstown for inlentificaiion. but not
being identified at late hour in the after
noon, were brought to Centreville and
buried in the county lot. The following
day the remains were taken up by some
colored men residing near Spaniard's
Nack an,t ,rara idantiNnd N. thaea -,
Emory Blake, a negro who has shown
signs of insanity for year or more past
but was not considered dangerous The
negro resided in Spaniard's Neck, and
had been missing for several days before
he turned up at MIR. Kiiby's.
CHINCOTEAGUE.
The well known LA Crime sill Dre-