Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-19

dered III west virginia.
murder was contained in the following
special telegram from Sistersvlle. which
was published in the Washington Post
of yesterday:
Last Saturday the much-decomposed
body of a man was found in the river.
There were marks on the body which
showed that murder had been committed.
saturday evening abort dark wagon
with four horses attached was seen to
pass on the country road near the point
where the body was found. Two men
were on the drivers seat Of the waS>si.
The wagon was driven about fifty yards
from the road. The horses were un-
hitched. and the harness taken from all
OF them. TWO were turned loose and
the two men mounted the other two and
rode away. They have not since been
seen.
To-day some people in the vicinity in
yestigated the contents of the wagon and
discovered couple of pillows soaked with
blood, and an axe, on which there was
clotted blood. In addition there was a
trunk filled with clothing, a vest corre-
spending with the suit found on the body
cine were found, the Labels bearing the
name of j. II. Ridenour of Richmond.
Va, druggist. The indications are that
the murdered man was a travelling horse
trader, and that he was probably killed
for his money. such men usually carrying
a large quantity on their persons"
WENT TO VISIT HIS SISTER.
Sistersville is located on the Ohio river
just a few miles from Parkersburg and
Mr.. Crull had sister living there. He
had been in bad health for number
Of years, and his sister wrote him to
come out to Sistersville and stay there
for awhile, assuring him that the change
of scene would prove beneficial to him.
She also advised him that he might be
able to dispose of some of his horses
there. While considering the advisable
ity of going to Sistersyille, Mr.. Crull
was visited by his cousin, Mr. Irwin
Brown. of Sandusky. y. Y. and the
glowing account that this gentleman gave
of the place caused Mr.. Crull to decide
in favor of going. Mr.. Brown signified
his willingness TO accompany him, and
the two determined TO drive to the West
Virginia village. Accordingly, Mr.. Crull
rigged out a big pipe axle, four-horse
wagon, painted yellow, and road cart,
with him, altogether, six horses.
The wagon was equipped with cooking
utensils and sufficient supplies TO last the
two for one week. which was the esti-
mated time the trip would consume. The
pillows in the wagon were Of hair.
BOTH HAVE BEEN MURDERED.
Nothing was heard from the two
after they left here. and it is now thought
that both have met their death. Mr..
Crull was attired, when he left Rich
mond, in black coat and vest and gray
pants, and wore a brown hat. He can
no doubt be easily identified by the marks
on his body as the index and middle
fingers of his left hand have been cut
of at the first and second joints respec-
i,,bf oh Hf
scar which was placed there by horses
loof.
Mr. Crull is a native of Warren Pa,
having been born there about 81 years ago.
He married Miss Sarah Dubois, Of New
York State, and they lived in Pennsyl- |
fania until about nine years ago. when
hey moved 10 Goochand county and en-
ragged in farming. Five years later they !
.ame to Richmond.
Upon his arrival here Mr.. Crull bought |
,ut the Hanover Stables on Eighteenth |
street. and ne conducted this establish
nent up 10 the time Of his departure, |
when he turned it over TO his son.
THE BOTTLES TELL A TALE.
His wife still lives on Nineteenth street. |
nd the shock she received when informed |
hat her husband was probably dead was
cry severe. indeed, almost prostrating
er. She has five children, the oldest
f whom Is 25 years OF age and the young
st g.
Mrs. CruN, in discussing the case, sJd
hat she did not believe that her husband
ras the victim OF the SistersYille murder
ntil told OF the bottles from Ridenour's,
MT these. she asserted proved 10 her
,ind that she had been widowed. as she
ad purchased two bottles of medicine
rom Ridenour's for her husband just be-
ore his departure.
Mr.. Cruil Is said by his neghbors to
ave been a kind husband and father.
nd a good neighbor He was quiet and
eaceable and enjoyed the esteem Of all
tho knew him.
Was Thought to BE n Peddier.
The Dispatch yesterday telesraphed to
Wheeling. w. Va, asking for the latest
evelopments In the supposed murder
ase. and giving it's correspondent some
larks by which 1t might be possible to
lentify the body II 1t was that OF Crull.
I o'clock this morning the following
)ecial was received
'The victims body. when dragged from
ie river last Sunday. was badly decom-
Dsed. and being supposed to be that
a suicide, was given one OF the most
irsory examinations before burial. Then
D murder was suspected. and no one no.
ced the loss OF fingers. The wagon
as made In Owensburg. KY. and was
Id By the Richmond Agricultural I'M