Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-12-25
4 C0LORED WIDOW.
White Men Fight About
Heroine Dead
PECULIAR STATEMENT.
is THIS THE WHOLE
TRUTH?
The Verdict of the Coroner
jury.
ALBAF FROM SOUTHERN LIFE.


LEXINGTON, VA, December 16.-Spe-
ciai.-Mr. Edwin A. Merritt, son of Cap
tain G.. G.. Merritt, was shot and killed
ut the house OF Harriet Smith Color
ed). about swo miles north of Green
Vile, Va, this morning about O'Clock
by Mr.. Robert N. Freuger.
1, Merritt went to the woman's house
about O'Clock. entered the sitting
room bv window. and crossed the
hail over TO her sleeping room. lie
knocked at the door for entrance, but
WAS refused he threatened TO break
down the door. The woman left her
house by side door with her three
ehildren and fed TO Mr. Frenger's
house, about five hundred cards dis
tant. She aroused Mr.. Frenger, who
went 60 her house with a shot gun, ac-
EompAnied by lie mother.
THE FATAL sHor.
Just before he reached the house he
saw a man coming out. and thinking
that he heard a pistol snapped several
times, he fired at the man. Seeing him
fall, he went up to him and recognized
him as Merritt.
he took his mother back to the
house, and when he returned TO where
Merritt was he found him dead. He
left him where he lay until this morn
ing for the corOner's inquest.
The verdict OF the coroner's jury was /:
Unlawful shooting, but not felony"
Both parties are very highly con-
nected.
ANOTHER PARTY.
Tf - tbOught that soroo one vw.a v,-;+ !,
Merritt. bus the evidence before the
eoroner's jury did not disclose that
fact.
Harriet Smith was widow, whose
husband died last summer.
MIR. Frenger lives with his father.
Mr.. j. A. FreHger, prosperous farm
0r.
This is the third killing that has oc-
Cured at Greenville during the past
few years-Charlea Carson killed
Cooper Ciinebell on the outskirts Of
Greenville, and short hile after
wards James Apple killed a young
farmer by the name of McGutin on
the street.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
ErAUNToN, Va, Dec. I6-Special =
I'd. Merritt. son OF Chris. Merritt, wal
shot this morning about ? o. clock AnC
instantly killed. Mr.. Chris. Merritt
one of the best-known men in Augusta
county, lives near Greenville, on Eb,
line of the Baltimore ana Ohio raj
road Near him lives John Frenger
close neighbor and warm friend. Nh
Frenger, Dr., has a son, Robert Frrn
ger. about twenty-five years old an'
Chris. Merritt's son Robert is abOu
twenty five years Ol0. The SONS ar
also good friends, never any trouble
between them.
DRANK HEAVILY.
Yesterday young Frenger was il
Steunton selling Christmas turke J
and having q good time. he drAE
heavily. Merritt was IN Greenville al
he was under the influence OF IiquO
during the day. On the Frenger plac
is tenant house IN which last nigh
there lived u negro woman. she wa
alone having lost her husband a fe'
days ago. About TWO O'Clock Ed MeT
riJJ went to this house and the wOma
alarmed ran 10 the Frenger dwellin
and reported that some one WAS breal
ing into her house. Young Frenge
jumped up to has gun and as he al
preached the house, he saw man &,
ing away from is. He LOOK aim al
shot ana the man fell. Upon lIfung u
the fallen form Frenger .exclaIms,
-'Good Lord, Ive killed Ed. merritt
NEVER SPOKE.
Merritt never spoke, he died imm
diately. d.. Murray was sent for D'
eould do nothing. krenger is great
distressed at killing has friend. WI
Merritt was at this house, will possib
never be known, and why Frenger sn'
without haning Is wonderful.
The shot penetrated the right SIC
causing instant death. Frenger VI
baiIed.