Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-03
THE FRANKLIN MURDER.
Further Particulars of the killing
of Webster.

oil ~ tDNttF.
ROCKY MOUNT, VA, June 2.-(spe-
c.alj-Richarl Gibson. who killed d. S.
Webster. is stnl at large. The following
additional particulars have been gathered
from Detective r. J.. Dillard, who
was present and wounded at the time
Of the killing OF Webster. Two weeks
seo II. J.. billiard arrested and lodged
lu Jail 90 this place one Sam. Gibson.
a negro charged with breaking into the
ttorehOuse of James Skeen. of BOnbrOOk,
A. this county. and stealing therefrom
rady-made clothing and other articles
Of merchandise. billiard arrested this
man al his home. where he found most
II the missing goods. The negro con-
-essed 10 the robbery Of the storehouse,
and implicated his brother. Richard Glib
son. as his partner i'm the robbery At
ter lodging Sam. Gibson in jail Dillard
Set about the task Of arresung the
desperate. Richard Gibson. which he
very well knew from the character Of
the man and the section of country in
which he lived would involve risk Of
life. and require the shrewdest tactics
10 accomplish.
\ ROUGH COUNTY.
neirhborhood of Middle Ridge, section
a. county which is the widest and
toughest in the county, being a noun
famous range thiclIly studded with a
hushy pine and ivy growth filed with
huge boulders Of rock, dark. deep ra-
vines. and Astounding i'm caverns of no
mean dimensions. This ridge, or noun
famous range. lies between the two
prongs of Blackwater. about twelve
miles northeast of Rocky Mount. Here
Il was that Richard Gibson, from his
mountain cabin home. organized and car
ried forward his schemes OF robbery that
eliminated recently in the arrest Of
his brother. a member of his gang, and
his killing Daniel 5. Webster, highly
esteemed and popular citizen, and the
w0unding Of II. l.. billiard. a private de-
fective. Detective billiard left Rocky
Mount on Sunday last, armed with a war
rant for the arrest OF Gibson. When
he arrived at tho residence Of ID. S.
Webster. at the foot of Middle Ridge.
be secured the services of that gentle
man TO assist him i'm making the arrest.
The two started early Monday morning
for the home Of Gibson TO effect his
capture. \ search was made for him
ut his home. but without success. He
was lbNA'lf ~ h' ANAiiAF ilN NNO NAAtT
GERS then made their way into the noun
tains. among the ivy thickets and cliffs
10 discover. If possible, his hiding-place.
\ DEADLY SHOT.
While they were passing a lonely spot
on the mountain-side Gibson, who was
in hiding i'm q cave. saw the officers pass
within few feet of him. and without
warning he sprang TO his feet, armed
with "a double-barrelled shotgun, and
while Webster who was in front. was
passing under fallen tree which lay
IN his pathway fired one charge into
the back Of Webster's head while he
was not yet y feet away. killing him
instantly. Dillard. who was following
close upon the heels Of Webster. stepped
over the dead body Of his companion
and under the tree, and as he straight
ened himself up the second charge from
Gibson's gun was fired at him, fourteen
No. birdshot passpg through his thick
felt hat into the back Of his head
Though wounded and surprised, Dillard
whipped out his pistol and fired three
shots IN rapid succession at the negro
as he ran away. one Of which shots, it is
thought. took effect
Forty or fifty Of the neighbors assem-
bled, and organized search party for
the negro, and every effort was made
to locate him, but without success.