Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-12

want so badly That gentlemen said that
he was informed by one of the men on
his place that two suspicious-looking
negroes had passed near there about
O'Clock In the afternoon and that one OF
them was without hat and coat. This
was at Sliding Hill. about fifteen miles
from Richmond The following officers
have been sent to Hanover and Henrico
counties to help watch out for the negroes
and scour the country for them: Messrs.
Foster, BEDFORD. Mattern, Garrison,
Wiltshire. Sale. Thomas. Hulcher, Wer-
ner. and Hall. The above officers are dis
tributod at the following points: Ash
land. boswell 0he Chesapeake and Ohio
Junction. Hanover Courthouse. and
HaXalls, while two are at Newport News.
Several negroes were arrested yesterday
on suspicion, but none OF them proved to
be the ones wanted. Ell Jones and Muir
ply White are being held as suspicious
characters The former claims 10 be
from Cincinnati.
CAUSED GREAT SORROW.
The news OF the death Of Officer Austin
caused great sorrow among the entire
police force from the Chief down to .he
most recently-elected private, while every
department OF the city government felt
keenly the loss that had been sustained.
over the sad affair, and the tragedy was
the chief topic of conversation yesterday.
Chief Howard. when told Of the occur
renee, was deeply moved, and expressed
the most sincere regret over the loss of
so efficient an officer. Said he: Officer
Austin was a most fearless man and was
strict In the discharge of his duties. There
was nothing that caused him to fear,
and he would brave any danger that
might confront him in the carrying out Of
Instructions"
The news was a great shock TO Captain
Angle. who had parted company with the
officer only a few minutes before the lat
ter was shot. Captain Angle spoke most
feelingly Of the deceased, whom he re-
garded as one Of the most efficient men
on the force.
He was a conscientious man." said he
fearless and brave, and withal, he was
as gentle as a woman, and was neatness
itself. His room in the Cease Building
was a bower Of neatness and beauty, and
everything was in its proper place. His
work as a policeman has been above re-
proach. and there was no man ! would
sooner have trusted on an important case
than Bob Austin His loss is felt by all
Of us, and his place will be hard to fill"
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Robert Dickinson Austin was born in
Henrico county May 2. 1851 He came to
Richmond when quite young. and had
been a resident Of this city about thirty
years. His early education was received
at the public schools Of his native coun-
ty. He was first employed as helper by
r. H. Bosher's Sons. Later he secured a
position at the Upper gas-works. In 1SSS
he was appointed on the police force, be-
ing one OF the sixteen appointed at that
time. when the force was increased to
one hundred. His badge was No rs. His
entire service has been in the Second Dis
trict.
HIS DETECTIVE WORK.
The deceased had done some brilliant
detective work during his ten years SER
vice on the police force, and his clever
work during the Confederate reunion was
especially deserving of praise. During
that great gathering, after an exciting
chase he captured Corners, one Of the
most noted pickpockets this country has
ever produced. Bob Austin. as he was
Familiarity called by his fellow-comrades
was known as one of the most daring
men on the force and his last deed was
one of the bravest acts Of his life, and
displayed an amount Of nerve seldom
shown in any man. The deceased officer
was always courteous and agreeable, and
was man who could always be depended
upon i'm an emergency. He was a great
favorite in the Second District, which has
sustained a great loss IN his death.
HIS FAMILY.
The deceased leaves three brothers
Aiessrs. Henry, John r, and Herbert a.
Austn-and "A sister. Mrs. Alexander
1Omlinson. lie never married.
He was a member of the Red Men and
knights OF Honor, and for many years
had been an officer Of the Howitzers.
A most touching incident in connection
with the the sad tragedy occurred short
~ after officer Austin breathed his last.
Sergeant Cosby boarded a Clay-street car,
being on his way to the Second Station.
The motorman, who happened TO be Mr..
Henry Austin asked the officer If his
(Austin's) brother was dead; that he had
heard such a report. Sergeant Cosby re-
Piled that he had not heard such news,
and was shocked at the question. Mr..
Austin requested him TO let him know II
the report proved true. and to phone him
to the sheds. Upon getting off the car the
Sergeant met an officer and was told that
the report was only too true, ana that
the body Of officer Austin was then in
conveyed the sad intelligence to Mr. Aus
tin on the return trip OF the latter's car.
REMAINS CARRIED HOME.
At o'clock last evening the remains
were carried from Laube's undertaking.
rooms 10 the residence of the brother-in-
law of the deceased, Detective Alexander
Tomlinson, No. 5l3 - north Sixth street.
The following officers Of the Second
no
bore the casket in the house: Messrs w.
II. Baker, T. c. Eppes, f. c. Bailey, b.
+. Angle, L. NJ. Farley and j. W. Curl.
The funeral will take place from ST.
James Episcopal church tomorrow after
noon at 4:30 o'clock, and the interment
Will be made in lakewood Cemetery. The
following have been selected as the homo
rary pall-bearers: Mayor r. NJ. Taylor
Ju 1ge S. B. Witt, Commonwealth's- Attor-
ney ID. G.. Richardson, Mr.. Harry NJ.
smith Major Il. +. Howard DR.. c. W..
2. Brock, John f. Shinberger. Charles
McFarlan, G \. Gibson, and the Police
Commissioners.
The active pall-bearers will be chosen
from members Of the police force of the
Second District and members Of the Red
Men.
Judge Witt and Major Howard held a
conference yesterday. and the Judge
stated that Immediately upon the arrest
of the negroes he would summon grand
Jury. and that the trial would follow i'm
mediateIy if the negroes were indicted.
Mayor Taylor has offered reward OF
500 for the capture Of the negroes.
Reported Capture at Hanover Court
house.
A report WAS received here at an early
this morning stating that the murderers
I -, o,probapdad at Hanover Court