Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-12
MURDER OR SUICIDE?
WHAT CAUSED THE DEATH OF
MIR. WfLLIAMSs
Mrs. Maggie Williams and Allan d.
yeimyer InLicted-Hi"tory OF 'ne
Cr,mr-Young vcimycr Reported to
Have. Made a Confession.

HEATUSVILLE. VA. April H--'oP'
cialD-True bills have been found by inc
grand jury OF this county against Mrs'
Maggie williams and Allan d. Nein1!er
for the murder OF r. Ferdinand Wliliams
on the 10Th Of February last, as already
r.oortel In the Dispatch. Mrs. Williams'
who was the wife OF the murdered man,
was balled in the sum Of $500. |ei'nyer
was committed 10 jail.
In appearance Mrs. Williams Is ra'Ler
prettv. She has brown hair ana eyes
and I'm height IL about five feet and haii'
She IL between 81 and % years OF age
although she could pass for .. Sh' WAS
Miss Maggie Jones, Of Northumberland
countv and was married to Mr.. T. Ferdi-
nand Williams.
MIR. WILLIAMS'S DEATH
On February 10Th. r. f. Williams was
found dead I'm his room at his home. IN
Fairnelds, near the Methodist Protestant
church. 4 prayer-meeting was in pro-
rress at the church. when the worshippers
were startled by pistol shots, and before
any inquiry could be made as TO the
cause OF the shooting AIRS. Williams
rushed on the scene and very excltediy
reported that her husband had committed
suicide The friends VINO returned hoi'e
with Mrs. Williams found Mr.. Williams
living dead in a pool OF blood. jury OF
inquest was impaneiled the ioiIoWlHS udS
a nost-mortem examinations heid' anu
when the body was examined the phs
clans found he had ben shot In the ieit
nreos, and also in the temple. They
pronounced death caused by the pan
which penetrated the brain. as the pan
in the side struck rib. glanced OH, only
INJECTING n painful flesh wound. After
hearing the testimony OF the pnyslc'dhs'
Mrs. Williams testified that she WAS III
the yard getting some wood, Wneh siis
heard the first port. Before she could
reach the house she heard a second, anu
by the time she arrived at the house her
husband was dead The jury rehuvfel
4 verdict of suicide The verdict causeu
much dissatisfaction among Mr.. WI
Iams's brothers. who at once began IN
vestigations. which resulted in the arrest
OF Mr. Velmyer by puty-Sherin Flint.
The prisoner was lodged in jail 1T HeathS-
VILE. Va. Saturday evening to await the
action of the grand jury. More arrests
are expected TO follow.
THE VICTIM.
r. +. williams. the victim. was assist
ant keeper Of the Smiths Point light
near the mouth of the Groat Wiconloco
river. His health had been very poor
and he was heard 10 complain OF never
feeling well, and II is now claimed that
he not only complain d on the day OF
his death Of i'll health but also SAID MS
home troubles were OF 4 desperate nature.
This helped 10 strengthen the verdict OF
suicide Sine his death many rumors
concerning troubles of domestic nature
have been freely circulated.
REPORTED CONFESSION.
Young Veimyer has made confession
in regard to the killing OF T. Ferdinand
Williams. which is to the effect mat ne
received a note from Mrs. Williams re-
auesting him TO meet her at the barn OF
Mr.. Williams at 8 o'clock on the evening
that Williams was kill d. The note was
"a the effect that she would Kill Mr. VIII
llams. but wanted him. in case his assist
ance was needed, and that he met hef
at the appointed time. After reachlns
there she wanted him 10 do the killing
| but upon his refusal to do SO she SAID
| she had nerve enough 10 accomplish !,
herself lie remained In the barn. ana
Mrs. Williams went to the house le"
minutes later n heard the report OF :,
| pistol. and started 10 run, WI the sSNo'O
report occurred.
II will also be remembered that imme-
dlately after the shooting Mrs. Williams
went to a church which was n ar by
where prayer-meeting was being he'd, ana
notified those present that her husband
had committed suicide. Neimyer. IL seems,
| was present at the meeting, having en-
| tered the church a few moments before
| Mrs. Williams arrv q and brought the
| startling news OF her husbands suicide
| Veimyer, IL is said. went with the crowd
| TO Mrs Wiliams's residence, and remain
! ed most Of the time until after the burial
assisting in making arrangements LOT I'M
funeral etc The note which Mrs. VIII
| liams is said to have written to Nelmyei
has been destroyed. but the colored girl
| 10 whom II was first given to convey tC
| him. and who al and kept IL for seVera
DAYS. not delivering 1t. remembers about
| the substance of the same. Mrs. Williams
IL IS said. called for the note. and nae
| IL delivered by another cOlored girl Th'
| note referred 10 is said TO read about a.
| follows:
| My Darling.-The lighthouse Is gone
| that old devil has came home TO stay. II,
| saw you at the barn, and gave you ah1
| | the worst abusing | ever had. Meet ms
| at the barn tonight. | Will XIII MN, pu
| want you TO be thare 10 assist me, II
case | need you. NJ.
| A good deal OF mystery still SURROUNDS
| the case Friends OF Mrs. Williams stoutlS
| maintain her innocence, and are very IN
| dignant at the grave charges Droush
against her. Tne case will likely be tried
| Court. Mrs williams will be defended by
| Hon. w. a. Jones and the Commonwealth
will be represented by l.. T. Smith.
I