Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-08
WHISKEY AND RAGE.
THESE REALLY CAUSED AWFUL
HOMICIDE IN sURRY COUNTY.
THE ORIGIN OF TIE TROUBLE.
II Crew Out IA Contract for Timber
and Subsequent Attachment Pro-
nlamcIeSs.

WAKEFIELD. VA, September 7.-(Spe-
Clll-Fuller and more accurate details
o. the Holman murder. which is now the
main topic Of conversation in Surry coun-
o.. how that the Hofmans had contract
"a with Schmidt Tor the timber OF all
kinds on his place. had made the first
cash payment and were willing 10 make
other payments as soon as the quantity OF
lumber could be ascertained; but in the
mean time some walnut umbermen came
into the section and Schmidt found he had
sold his timber possibly for less than he
then wanted. Being dissatisfied, he at
tempted to restrain the Hofmans from
shipping the wood until it was all cut and
paid for. He issued an attachment
against the Hofmans preventing their
loading the vessels then at the wharf,
that Schmidt had not given an attach
mut bond, and hence had the attach
ment dissolved.
COULDN'T GIVE SECURITY.
Schmidt being unable to give the bond
required in the attachment proceedings.
became thoroughly enraged and also much
under the influence of whiskey. lie said
he would be id if he did not know
bond that he could give; purchased jug
u, Whiskey, went home got his sixteen
shot repeating rife, and went to Hof-
mans saw-mll, which is on his place.
He found the son, and told him he had
come for a settlement. The son referred
him 20 his father. but the elder Holman,
seeing the condition of Schmidt, did not
care settle with him, and said TO him
That as long as he had gotten the matter
H court that was the best place TO com
I.ste the settlement Schmidt swore and
laved around and accused the Hofmans
OF az kinds Of mean acts and called them /
Tie West names.
HOW THE SHOOTING BEGAN.
The elder Hoffman became tired Of this /
ana started a messenger 10 SuTry for the /
sheriff. As the messenger was leaving.
schmidt addressed Edward Holman. say
'. The whole crowd was a Id
DO ot -- -." Holman replied that pos
s'} Schmidt included himself At this
'ae desperate man commenced shooting
and put sixteen rifle balls into the bodies
%. Holman and his son. He shot the son
trst After the murder, Schmidt returned
!" h.s house. and thinking possibly
Zoe H0fmans were not dead, made his
laughter and son 90 with him again 10
lhe min and turn the bodies over and
around, whereupon he said: Eyes. they
eie dead as n"
HIS DESPERATE RESISTANCE
The Sheriff and his posse Of ten who
N.a- to arrest Schmidt had an experience
Aty DO not care 10 meet with again. I
4- however. happened that one of the
posse was friendly towards Schmidt and
eaAe1 him out of the house and tried /
20 persuade him TO surrender This,
hmidt would not do and he was dis
posed 20 fight the whole posse. Indeed. {
1e oppressed a desire TO kill them. He
o.'.d The Sheriff. remarking that ne '
would be id II that official could {
i.ye the pleasure Of hanging him.
The Sheriff saw IL would be impossible {
70 arrest him quietly. and ordered the I
sse TO take him. Four OF his COM o
mons came in close range OF the muir S
.'itr, and 10 Is supposed they felt that I
u.Ir safety necessitated the shooting OF 2
.Amidt The dying language Of the u
man was curses for the officers and S
nose who opposed him I'm the suit.
The Inquest over the body Of Schmidt
resulted in a verdict that those who snot
DIh were justified in so doing. IL Is 4
thought there will be nothing further
zone in this matter. as public sentiment is
-l'fely with tho posse and on the Hof-
mans side. Is