Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-01
HORRIBLE CRIME RECALLED
Particulars of the Murder of Old Peter
Schooler.
William j. Hunt, Accused by n Com.
pnniOn of Committing the Deed,
Now Under Arrest.

William ]. Hunt, the young man who was
arrested here yesterday and turned over to
Sheriff Kennedy of Stafford county. Va, on
the charge of murder, as published in yes
terday's Star, was taken to the county
seat of Stafford county on a late train yes
terday afternoon. Since the murder of the
old man, Peter Schooier, more than three
years ago, Hunt has spent most Of his
time in this city. If guilty of the crime
he is but one of those implicated, from
the admissions of former companion, al
50 under arrest, two. if no more, were en-
gagged in it.
1t appears that short time before the
murder was committed Schooler had drawn
between $500 and 81 OO0 from bank, intend
ing to build a house, and this fact was
generally known. The night of Friday,
December IA, the horrible butchery of the
old man occurred, and Sunday afternoon
following his dead body, with the head
severed from 1t, was found in his house.
While nobody other than the murderers
witnessed the affair. the surroundings in
Dictated that robbery was the motive, for
the money was gone.
Murderer Used an Ak.
1t is believed that the murderers called
at the house some time after dark, and that
when the old man answered a knock on the
door. one of them dealt him a blow with an
AK, knocking him down. Circumstances in
Dictated, also, that he was then dragged to
the yard. ard left, where a pool of blood
was afterward found. While the old man
was there helpless, the house was robbed,
and the perpetrators on their way out, dis
covering that their victim was not yet
dead, dragged him back into the house
and severed his head with the weapon
used 10 infiict the first blow.
Because OF the cold weather the body
was well preserved when the CHASTITY find
was made. Suspicion pointed toward the
young man now under arrest and he was
arraigned under the accusation, but for
lack of evidence, the charge was nolle
pressed.
An uncle of Hunts. named Childs. while
not actually suspected by the authorities,
was frequently mentioned in connection
with the case, and few days ago he died.
Robert Ways Revelation.
Robert Way, young man who had been
companion of Hunts, and who bore
about the same reputation as the other
was also mentioned in connection with the
deed and the arrest yesterday is the re-
suit of a statement made by Way. Some
days after Childs was buried, his death
was being discussed, and the murder of
Schooler was mentioned.
"Childs Is dead and he may be in h"
said Way, but he never killed old Pete
Schooler''
How do you know he didn't kill him.
Because 1 was there" was his en-
phatic response.
Did you kill him.
No"
Then who did?'
will Hunt"
Way repeated this declaration and said he
helped Hunt to kill the old man. Way was
thereupon arrested on the serious charge
of murder, and the sheriff Immediately
set out to capture Hunt as his accomplice.
Hunt WINS Sururfsed
When arrested yesterday afternoon Hunt
was not told why he was wanted until he
reached headquarters, and then he was
very much surprised and trife fright
ened. He was told of what his former COM
panion Way had stated, but he declared
there was not word of truth in 1t. While
he had led a reckless life, and had not
done right, he said, he had no knowledge
of the killing of the old man. So far as he
was concerned, he said. he was innocent,
and he would return with the sheriff with
out the formality of requisition.