The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-23
SHOT IN HIS CAB
Engineer Dodd Assassinated by
Drunken Negro.
WAS KILLED At WELDON.
The Scoundrel Captured and
Carried to Halifax Jail.
The Engineer One of the Most Popular
on the S. A. L.--Remains Carried to
Norfolk for Murderer
May Be Lynched.

May Be Lynched.
Weldon, N. c., Feb. Especial. -
A shocking murder occurred here at
$3.50 O'Clock this morning when Matt
Dodd, an engineer on the Seaboard
Airline, was shot through the aead
and killed by tramp whose name
is not known.
Dodd had just pulled into Weldon
from Raleigh with the Atlanta Special
when the tramp jumped upon the
locomotive and was ordered off by the
fireman. In getting off the tramp
dropped his hat on the locomotive. He
asked the engineer to give him his hat,
which he did. No sooner had he done
so than the tramp pulled pistol from
his pocket and fired the fatal shot.
The murderer ran off to house
close by, where he drew his pistol
and attempted to shoot another man
by the name of Wright, but the weapon
refused to fire.
The tramp, who was intoxicated, was
subsequently captured, securely tied,
and, threats of lynching him having
been made, he was taken to Halifax
county jail, few miles from Weldon.
The feeling against the murderer Is
bitter, and it is probable that an at
tern;,t at Iynching viii be made to-
night.
Dodd resided at Portsmouth, and
was one of the most experienced anu
hest-knoyn engineers on the Eeaboard
Airline.
THE NEWS IN RALEIGH.
News reached Raleigh yesterday that
Engineer Matthew Dodd was shot dead
in his cab by a negro named Dowtln
He died instantly. The body fell out
of the cab to the ground below
The assassin was captured almost
on the spot, and was at once carried
to Halifax, and placed in jail.
All the country around is stirred up,
and it is feared that the negro will be
lynched within the next twenty-four
hours.
The remains of the murdered man
were carried TO his home in Norfolk.
STOLE A RIDE.
The negro Dowtin stole ride on the
north-bound ATLANTA Special from
Henderson to CASTOR. At CASTOR he
was discovered, and was at once put
off the train. When the train started
off he got on one of the steps outside
the vestibule, and on the steps rode to
Weldon.
At Weldon the trains change engines.
Engineer Dodd had his engine and
train at the shed waiting when the
yestibuled pulled in.
The negro wanted to steal ride TO
Portsmouth, and MIR. Dodd was to
carry out the Norfolk train.
HOW IT OCCURRED.
1t was a cold morning and the negro
ride-stealer walked up to the engine
TO warm himself.
He came to the cab, and climbed the
steps. For some minutes he stood
there.
When the engineer came he asked
il lie might ride IN the engine.
.No." said SIR. Dodd, its against
the rules and you can't ride here"
He stood on the steps until the train
WAS ready to start.
ssYon must get off the engine at
once, said the engineer.
The negro refused.
Then / sllall have to put you Oft. !"
He made motion TO put the negro
off the steps.
The black scoundrel reached back
into his pistol pocket, pulled out
revolver and shot Mr.. Dodd through
the heart.
The engineer fell face foremost out
of his engine-dead.
The shot had killed him Instantly.
THE MURDERER CAPTURED.
The report of the fatal shot was
heard all around the depot, and in
few moments a crowd gathered.
The internal brute was captured near
the spot.
The indignation was intense, and
there were ominoas mntterings in the
crowd lie Was taken at once to HALF
fax for safe keeping
THE NEGRO WORKED HERE.
The nturderer's name was Dowtin.
lie had been working in the Seaboard
Airline yards in this city, holding
some place in the round-house.
He was, IL is said, under the influence
OF liquor when captured.
Before leaving the city Friday at
noon re raised quite disturbance In
the Union depot here over his ticket.
He went from here to Henderson.
REMAINS CARRIED HOME.
The remains of Mr.. Dodd were yes
tertlay Carried from Weldon TO his
home in Norfolk.
He was one Of the cieyerest and most
highly respected engineers in the en-
ploy Of the seaboard Airline. His
tragic death has caused great regret
among all who knew him. lie had
many friends in Raleigh, and was here
about week ago.
He leaves wife, one child of his
own. and one step-child.
The funeral viii be held in Norfolk
to-day,