The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-23
BULLET IN HIS HEART
A Well Known and Popular Engine Driver
Murdered by Negro Tramp.
THE RUTHLESS MURDERER CAPTURED
Found Sittin. i'm II Cur OF the Train
His Victim, WINS sU Have Taken
Oui-The pistol in His nootlcE.
still Enrr, Murdered EnEi-
nee: II Most Popular Citizen.

4 telegram was received in the city
yesterday morning about $50 o'clock
making the sad announcement hat Mr.
Matthew NJ Dodd an engineer Oh the
SsabOard Air Line railroad and for Il
while master mechanic at the shops,
mad been murdered In Weldon by ne
gro named Henry Dswdca just as hcwas
about to bring the passenger train that
connects with the ATLANTA special at
Weldon al O'Clock in the morning 10
this city.
Tho particulars as given 10 us by Mr..
Whisnant. which are Official. are as fol-
lows: The negro Dewdrn, Il boy about
70 years OF age. had stole his way from
Raleigh to Weldon on the special and
had been put off twice. but managed to
get OH again. After arriving at Weldon
he went under the shed and got under
Mr.. Dodd's engine. The fireman. see
ing lrim there, ordered him 10 get OFF.
This the boy refused - do and was pu:
off by the fireman.
MIR. Dodd. who was standing on the
engine. hearing the controversy between
the iirOman and the negro stepped TO the
side of the engine and told the man he
would have to get Off. The negro took
10 heed III the warning. but again at
tempted 10 board the train, and Mr..
Dodd. who was releasing the air brakes,
getting ready II leave for Portsmouth,
again ordered him off. Before Mr. Dodd
WAS aware Of the mans Intentions he
whipped out Il revolver and fired. the ball
striking him In the heart. cutting the
main artery Mr.. Dodd staggered for
ward and fell out of the side window OF
the cab cutting his head in the fail. but
life was extinct before H. struck the
ground The slayer then walked off.
An alarm was given and physician
summoned.
search was made for the negro
and In about an hour after
wards the train being delayed that
much he wds found In one Il the
coaches Of the train, whirA was attach
ed TO Mr.. Dudd's engine. tn" negro
was at once identified by the fireman.
as the man he put off and the one who
did the shooting. y search of his clothes
was made for the pistol and not until
his boot was removed was i; found.
lie mad hid 1t down i'll the leg OF the
boot. one chamber was empty ana the
barrel WAS warm. The boy WAS taken
charge of and was committed 10 jail
An autopsy was held and the bail
was located in the heart. The Coroners
jury rendered "A verdict that the de-
ceased came TO his death by shot
from pistol in the hands OF one Dow
den.
During the inquest the excitement
among The colored people ran high ana
party and going TO Halifax jail, TWEEN
ty miles distant where the murderer
was confined. and lynch him. SO great
was Mr.. Dcll's popularity With every
body in Weldon that when the remains
were brought away all the white people
and a large number OF colored people
escorted the remains to the train with
uncovered heads.
Upon the receipt or the facts in this
city excitement ran high. y number Of
the railroad officials MIR. G. w Walker,
brother-in-law of Mr. Dodd: Messrs
Pace. Beolc. Murdaugh and Tabb. n
committee from the f,lks. Mayor Davis.
Chief lyman and Il number of citizens
went. Mr.. Flynn. from w. Il. Johnsons
undertaking esta blishment. went up on
the train a, 9 80 to accompany the re-
mains hOnc. There were also several
engineers. rcprese the brotherhood
OF Engineers
The remains arrived last night and
We're carried TO IN" undertaking cstab-
lishmcnt of Mr.. w. Il. johnson. where
they We're prepared for burial, after
which they We're carried TO his home
III Cottage Place
The funeral viii take place to-mor-
row lMonday) afternoon ut 3 O'Clock
from his late residence. In Cottage
Place. y number of engineers from all
along the division Will come down 10 II.
and leaves Il wife and one child. He
was q member of the Brotherhood of
Engineers and Portsmouth Ledge. g.
y. o. f;lks. He was beloved by all who
knew him. He was kind-hearted and
generous to n fault. In his death the
community loses a valuable citizen and
III" orders an esteemed member. At
1880 the remains left Weldon for this
rbty and nothing but expressions Of re-
sret were heard all along the
entire route al his untimcly end. He
was popular with every one and was
well known At all the stations, having
been running on the road for about
twenty years.
On the arrival of the remains at the
roundhausc they were transferred to a
hearse and carried to his residence in
Cottage Place. followed by large
number Of friends and the working
men generally. who remained over to
act as escort. The murder has cast a
gloom over the entire community COM
ing so sudden. and the popularity of
MIR. Dodd making it much sadder.