The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-24

gCcullf uCc on MdyO . Dii+sS sN1NN''"'
morning an account Of which appeared
in yesiorddy's Times, and the police are
at a loss to know whether the man whose
hat was found on the bridge fell or was
thrown into the water beneath with muir
dcrOus intent.
MIR. LIPSCOMB'S STORY.
Mr.. James Lipscomb. son OF the chiet OF
police OF Manchester, when seen yester-
day. said that he had been IN Richmond
the greater part OF the night, and was
crossing Mayo's bridge on his way home
when he discovered two figures ahead OF
him on the bridge about the third pier
He at once realized that the men were
quarrclling. and his suspicious were CON
nrned when, through the murky dark
ness came the agOnizing cry, "Oh, don l.
and a moment later the sound OF heavy
splash IN the water fully thirty feet be-
low. lie had heard enough. and started
back considerably faster than he had
come.
At Fourteenth and Main streets he met
Sergeant Otey and officer Crane. Of the
First district, 70 whom he communicated
the details. and all three hurried back 10
the spot. Everything was quiet when
they arrived. and all that could be found
was straw hat and some small pools
Of blood near where the men had been
last seen.
BARNEY PERRY MISSING.
Yesterday morning the police went 70
work on the case IN earnest. and II VAS
soon discovered that negro named Bar
nev Perry. who is employed as driver
bv Mr.. Chester Jones. a grocer on Third
street. Manchester. was missing. A
search was AT once Instituted for him,
but he could not be found high or low.
II was then discovered that In com
pany with a white man named j. II.
Barker. he had come 90 Richmond ABOUT
80 O'Clock the previous night. Both men
were drinking. and some time aiter IL
o'clock Policeman Brown found Perry IN
n doorway on Main near Fourteenth.
lie was reused up, and started down
Fourteenth toward Manchester.
BARKER ARRESTED.
Tho circumstances appearing suspi-
cious Barker was yesterday morning ar
rested at his nome. on the PETERSBURG
turruikc. lust outside Of Manchester, and
brought TO Richmond lie protested bis
innocence and told Captain Thomas he
could prove where he spent his time In
Richmond. and also that he had not left
the city az A. VI. Barker proved ~
reliable Witnesses that he and Perry
went % two or three bar-rooms and took
drinks. At one Of them. about mid
night. Perry said he was going home.
Tho crowd tried 10 frighten him by tell
Ing him that the medical students would
catch him on the bridge and kill him
for his body
BARKER RELEASED.
This ala not prevent the negro from
starting home alone. II is said he was
very much under the influence Of liquor.
The time was about Midnight Barker
STAYED al the bar and he was I'm a Main
street saloon until after Mr.. Lipscomb had
informed the police officers of what he
had heard on the bridge. Learning these
facts Captain Thomas turned Barker
loose.
As soon as It was known certainly that
there was a body in the river the services
Of Joe Edwards and several other divers
were secured ana they AT once began 10
search for the unfortunate. large
crowd the majority Of whom were color
al people watched them from the bridge
with great interest. About o o'clock. how
ever. they gave mp the attempt and
Edwards said he was Of the opinion that
the body had been wa,hcd Gown the
channel Of the river, and would De found
later some distance below the city.
DIVERS AT WORK.
4 number Of colorld people who had
known Barney Perry wei identified the
hat found on the bridge as enc that he
had worn. and there is no longer
reasonable doubt that his body IS IN the
river. Sergeant Tomllnson. however,
who examined the stains upon the bridge.
ia Of the opinion that they were caused
by oil and not blood. and. but for the
statement Of Mr.. Lipscomb TO Sergeant
Tomliuson that he saw one man pick mp
another one and hurl him over the side
az the bridge. 70 would seem clear that the
negro was intoxicated and fell into the
river.
Perry was a man Of about twenty-five
wears of age. and was as q general rule.
sober I'm his habits. lie had been faith
I'M and trusted employe OF Mr.. Jones
for seven years past.