Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-08
RIDLEY CAPTURED.
THE SUSSEX MURDERER CAUGHT IN
NOTTOWAY COUNTY.
Hc Admits tho Crime, But Did Not Think
tho Gun Would Go OfY-Election
Of Officers.

PETERSBURG. VA. January 7.-(spe-
cial.)-Robert Ridley. the negro who re-
Gently shot and killed Mr.. Williams In
Sussex county, particulars Of which were
published at the time, was captured last
night I'm Nottoway county. and was
morning for safe keeping. Mr.. Williams
was shot at the door OF his house during
Christmas week by Ridley. whom he had
ordered away, and who returned with a
gun and killed Mr.. Williams after calling
him to the door. The negro then He'd.
and, though pursuing parties were after
him for some days. traced him to Bruins
wick county and found the gun with which
he had committed the deed, they could
not capture the fugitive. Mr.. ]. S. Powell.
well-known farmer of Nottoway county.
caught Ridley last night and brought
him here on the early train this morning.
where he will be held to await the action
of the Sussex county authorities. 1t SENS
that about week ago Ridley, who gave
his right name, applied to Mr.. Powell
for work, and was engaged TO begin
work to-day. Meanwhile Mr. Powell
found that Ridley answered the descrlp-
ton of the Sussex murderer, and last
night he went after the fellow and ar
rested and took him 10 Blackstone. where
he was kept in confinement until this
morning.
MAKES NO DENIAL.
Ridley makes no denial of his crime,
though he says he did not know Mr.. VIII
lams was dead until Mr.. Powell told
him last night. He said to-day that his
home is In Brunswick county, but that
he had been living in Sussex county
about two months: His story Is as fol-
lows: II went 10 Mr.. Wllliams's on
Wednesday in Christmas-week. and was
asked by the latter to look for a steer
pin" that had been lost. This occurred
in the yard. and as 1t was hailIng and
showing, | went into the house where
Mr.. Williams was ana some other gentle
men. Mr.. Williams told me to so out.
and went Soon afterwards | went TO
the house of John Branch-about 200 yards
distant-and asked him to lend me his
gun, as | wanted 20 go squirrel hunting.
Branch did not know whether the gun
was lOaled or not, but his wife said 1t
was. | went hunting. but not finding any
squirrels. | returned to Mr.. WiliamS's to
tended to sing for a drink.
FIRED AND RAN.
When I called for Mr.. Roundtree, Mr.
Williams came out with a ptchforll in
his hands. and two men were behind
him. | was at the door when Mr.. Will
ljams came out, and moved back; but
as he came towards me, / fired at him
and ran. | did not think the gun would
Oh loo. Al ~
stop to see whether | had shot Mr.. Will
llams. Two pistol shots were fired at
me as ran. ] was about ten yards from
Mr.. Williams when / shot"
LEFT THE GUN.
IL left the neighborhood at once, and
walked to my mothers home, in Bruins
wick county carrying the gun with me.
left the gun at Geo. Washington's. in that
county. 1 got to my mothers Thursday
night, and remained in the neIghborhood
until Monday of last week, when i went
TO Nottoway county, hired myself TO Mr..
Powell. and was TO have commenced
work with him to-day. Last night he
arrested me-" This is Ridleys statement
The Old-Street Presbyterian Sunday
school yesterday elected the following
officers: Superintendent. II. +. Porter
Assistant superintendent, j. Il. Charles
Secretary and Treasurer. J. w. Porter
MINISTER'S MEETING.
The Ministers Association. Of which al
the pastors of the evangelical denomina-
tons are members. held a meeting to-
day. and elected the following officers
President Rev. II. w. Battle: Vice-Presi-
dents, Revs. J. w. Carroll and Thomas
Spencer: Secretary. Rev. II. NJ. Hope.
\ letter was to-day received from MT
Pender, who was captain of the Peters
burg baseball team during the latter
part of last season, expressing a desire
to return to Petersburg next summer.
Interesting covenant" services were
held at Washington-Street Methodist
Episcopal church last night. y copy
OF the covenant was given TO each mem
Der of the congregation. and was read
aloud The promises in this covenant
are: To read the Bible every day; to offei
morning and evening prayer, and 10 use
every opportunity to speak u good WORD
III season.