The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-04
A BULLET IN HIS HEAD.
4 foiORED YOUTH INSTANTLY
Killed ~ CHEsTERFIELD
Excitement Over n Tragedy Of the High
Order-It Occurred While at Game of
Cards--The Evidence in the Case.

The vicinity Of Bon Air was thrown into
great excitement over a tragedy Of the
high order Tuesday night, and John
Pearson. a colored youth Of some
eighteen years Of age. bres thed his last
about ten o'clock. A bullet went crash
ing through his skull, and his death was
question Of only a Few minutes time
after the weapon was discharged by
Watson Perkins, another young negro,
who was a companion Of Pearson.
Whether the tragedy was an accident
or a wilful. premeditated murder was
hard TO decide at a late hour last night,
and the county court Will determine
that question Later on.
At any rate the situation looks rather
unpromising for the negro who fired the
pistol.
The facts. as ascertained in the case.
were about these: 1t seems that John
Pearson. Watkins Perkins, VIM. Craigg
(all colorcd) aud others were congre-
gated in tine storec OF Stauard Manning,
which Is located at the fork Of the road,
about half a mile this side Of Bon Air.
Pearson was employed ar Manning
store. and was regarded by his acquaint-
ances as 4 steady, industrious sort Of
youth. They had been engaged in
game Of cards and were having a merry
evening Of Il. telling jokes and enjoying
themselves generally After the card
game Pearson took ont his pistol, which
is 32-caliLre. hve-chambcr revolver, AM
began t. examine it. His attention being
attracted escwh re. he pat the revolver
on the counter. and Perkins took 1t up,
AMI, pointing straight ut Pcar'ons heal.
said: I'm going to shoot you and
With this he deliberately pulled the trlS-
ger. and the weapon was discharged
The ball entered the side Of Pearson's
forehead near the edge Of the hair. The
wounded man reeled backward and zen
Without speaking word. These who
were in the store ran to him at once
but he gasped his last in very few mo-
menis.
The bail lodged in the head ard dark
stream OF blood flowed freely from the
wound.
Perkins at once went TO his home, only
a very short distance away and informed
hts mother. Martha Perkins that he mad
killed Pearson. He ma1e no attempt 10
escape, and in a short time ne was ar
rested and brought 90 Manchester yes
to-day. where ne was lodged IN @h
saw CCnStaDle p i'hFi9 AA 1890
nigbt and had a talk with him. He was
rather OF the opinion that the tragedy
was an accident. He said that so far as
he could ascertain there had been no
previous difficulty between the two men,
and when the killing occurred they were
on good terms
Henry Craigg. William Craieg and
Stanard Manning were in the store when
the killing occurred. Their evidence in the
preliminary examination before Justice OF
the Peace James +. Smith was. 1t Is
said. not unfavorable to the prisoner.
Richard Dogcett said that he came to the
store soon after the killing. but knew
nothing about the circumstances, and at
once departed.
Martha Perkins. the mother Of the man
that did the shooting. said that Perkins
told her. when ne informed her Of the
a fair that he was playing with the pistol.
and did not know that he was going to Kill
Pearson. He Dropped the. pistol near the
place he was standing. and left the store
at once.
Perkins worked AT Westham quarries
near Bon Air. and is said to be unpopular
amonC his acquaintauces, some OF whom
doubt his statement.
After the examination before the JUS
tiCe the case was sent on TO the county
court for the January term.