Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-21
THE SHOT WASFATAL
FUNERAL AND INQUEST TOGETHER
NJ So Happens That the Last Rites
and the Omcial Inquiry Occur mt
the Same Tfme--Probnbiy an Acct
dent-The slayer Escapes.

Coroner Taylor held an inquest yester-
day afternoon over the body OF James
Waddey, H-year-old colored boy who
was shot and killed Sunday morning by
Thomas Robinson. an ex-conviet. and at
the same time. funeral obsequies were
being held In the same yard over the re-
mains
Waddey was carrier for the Dispatch
Company, and resided with his sister
Mary and his brother John. in a Kitchen
room IN the rear OF No. 25lo east Grace
street. He returned Sunday morning
from delivering his papers. reaching his
home about 10 O'Clock. Thomas Robinson
accompanied him. and the two found
there besldes Waddey's brother and SIS
ter Emma Robinson and Earnest Black.
PLAYING WITH a PISTOL
Robinson and Waddey were both
hungry. and Mary Waddey busted her
self preparing breakfast for them. While
waiting for the meal he boys stretched
themselves upon the floor. and engaged
I'm friendly conversation. They were
lying each or his side. about six feet
apart, facing each other resting upon
one elbow, when Robinson produced a
bulldog pattern revolver OF n cheap
make, 3s-calibre which he hOurished In
mock-tragic fashion at the Robinson wo-
man while Waddey laughed.
The woman threatened TO strike Robin
son with a fat-iron II he didn't disist,
and Waddey put In a word, whereupon
Robinson turned the pistol upon him, and
Waddey told him he wouldn't shoot him.
af-tF
the report OF the weapon rang out and
Waddey rolled over the floor with a
crimson stain upon the left bosom OF his
shirt The bullet had entertd his body
above the left nipple.
ooh. Lordy." he groaned in agony. "he
has shot me-"
Robinson dropped the smoking pistol,
and, rising To his feet, gazed in bewil-
dered way upon the deadly work he had
accomplished.
ooh, Lordy," groaned the wounded
youth at intervals of few seconds for
several minutes. and then he rolled over
upon his back lfeless.
ROBINSON MAKES HIS ESCAPE.
As Waddy gasped his last. Robinson
sprang through the door and fled pre-
cipitately. and although hotly pursued by
a gang OF angry negro men and boys.
and Policeman c. NJ. Johnson. OF the
First District. who had Joined In the
chase, Robinson. whose feet were render
cd more swift by fear. soon eluded his
pursuers and made his way down the
York-River railroad At last accounts he
had not been apprehended nor did any
one seem to have definite idea Of mis-
whereabouts.
Mary Waddey Is the only one OF the
eyewitnesses who does not think the kill
ing was an accident She says that
Robinson cursed Waddey when he shot
him and said: II told you I'd do IT,"
On the strength OF this information,
the Coroner yesterday held an inquest at
the house. and his jury found that Wad-
dey came to his death by a pistol-shot
wound inflicted by Thomas Robinson.
FUNERAL AND INQUEST.
1t so happened, as stated, that the In
quest and funeral were appointed for the
same time, and on account Of the heat.
both were held in the yard.
Thomas Robinson. the man who did
the shooting, was arrested January q,
1894. for the larceny Of a gold watch
ard chain, the property of Leonidas NJ.
Smith. He was subsequently convicted in
the Hastings Court Of grand larceny and
sent to the penitentiary to serve term
Of one year. He received his discharge
from the State prison little more than
eight months ago.
WRONG MAN ARRESTED.
County Policeman Rogers last night ar
rested negro, who he thought was
Robinson, and lodged him in the county
jail. but upon arrival at the prison The
negro was proved not 70 be the murderer,
though he was identified as fugitive
from justice. who is wanted for theft.