Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-25
IT WAS NOT MURDER.
so DECIDES JUSTICE FRlscHkoRN IN
The WHARTON KILLING CASE.
The Investigation Concluded After Hear
ing the Statements OF Drs. Biankenship
and Loftwich and Mr.. Parrish.

Justice Barney Frischkorn. after giving
patient and careful consideration to the
testimony adduced before him in regard
to the killing Of John q. Wharton, has de-
cided that the suspicious entertained by
some of the relatives of the deceased Oh
foul play were groundless. and has dropped
the investigation.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
examination OF witnesses IN the case was
resumed. Quite good-sized crowd had
assembled at the county courthouse to
hear the evidence. Ar. II. IL. Pollard,
acting Commonwealth attorney. who was
looking into the affair on behalt G. the
State. was present, as was also Mr. II. W.
Thomas, counsel for Mrs. Wharton, who
was suspected by some TO have been im-
pIcated In the killing.
no SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY.
The testimony developed no startling or
sensational facts, and was in substance
corroborative of that given some DAYS ago
when the investigation began. some OF
the witnesses summoned failed to respond.
but the case was promptly proceeded WIN
at the hour designated.
DR.. o. f. Blankenship, who viewed the
body of Wharton while the cOroner's jury
was making its inquiries. was the trst 10
go upon the stand. He stated that he had
been called in in connection with the AFFAIR
and that he made report to the coroner 3
jury that the deceased came TO his death
BY reason of a gunshot wound In the head.
He said he did not observe the cut across
the nose which was referred 20 in the tes-
timony of some OF the other witnesses.
The Doctor told Of the position in which
he found the dead man, and stated that he
did not think for a moment but that the
muzIle of the gun was at or very near the
mouth when AIRED. He did not believe
there was any good reason to suspect
murder.
DB. LEFTwICH TEsTTTEs.
DIR. Leftwich, the county coroner. testi-
fed that he was at Highland Springs on
the evening Of the killing. and intended 10
have held the inquest the next morning.
He viewed the remains the day following,
and from what he could see and hear in
connection with the case he was of the
opinion that il was a case of suicide. DR..
Leftwich said that he was Mr.. Wharton's
family physician. and that he thought the
deceased lived happily with his wife and
children.
Mr.. +. II. Parrish. who was among the
first persons 20 reach the house after the
gun fred, stated that be found the body
sitting up IN the chair with the head
turned slightly toward the bureau. as has
| already been testified to. He informed the
Justice that be felt of Wharton's pulse,
and that it was still, though the body was
| still warm.
THE CASE DROPPED.
Considerable cross-questioning was done
| by counsel on both sides. but after hear
ing the testimony Squire Frischkorn an
nounced that he would drop the matter
| Just where 1t was. there being no ground,
"a far as he could learn after a diligent in-
yestigation, TO doubt that Mr.. Wharton
came 20 his death by shooting his own
brains out. lie said that he totally ex-
onerated Mrs. Wharton from any cOnnec-
ton whatever with tine killing