Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-13
ana ana ne got his game, though he felt a
"''ie sure from the unexpected drop.
ONE OF HALLS CASES

u an ne got MS game, though he felt a
niue sore from the unexpected drop.
ONE OF HALLS CASES.
detective Hall had an interesting case
IN May, 1873. This officer, by thu. wav
mas captured as many murderers proha-
Oily as any man in the country. The de-
tectlve was sitting in the Third Police
station, though not on duty, when a COL
orea man entered and asked IL Mary
homes mad been arrested. The officer
replied that she had not, and asked the
man ms name. The latter stated that
II was Jim Hail." The next day in
IoIhation was received that colored
woman had been found drowned I'm tho
locks, and 1t proved to be Mary
Holmes. Detective Hall went 70 tba
scene, and in mingling in the crowd saw
the man who had entered the station
mouse the previous night. The officer
called Halls" attention to the fact.
When the darby replied that he had not
seen the officer or asked for any tnfor-
nation concerning Mary Holmes. Ser
geant Hall then asked the man his name.
and the reply was, Horace Venable."
calling policeman, the detective prompt
iy placed Venable under arrest. and in
structed the officer to lodge the prisoner
In the station-house, with orders TO let
no one talk 10 him.
HE CONFESSED HIS GUILT.
That night the prisoner called Detec-
tive Hall to the cell and said that he
wished to make a confession to him.
upon the agreement that Ii was not to be
used against him. The officer finally
consented to hear Venable on these
terms, and the latter confessed that he
had knocked Mary Holmes over the
stone wall, and that she had fallen in
the locks" He said they were return
Ing from a dance, when some words
passed between them, and he had slapped
her, causing her to lose her balance and
fall. He had endeavored to save her,
but the suction was SO great that the
body did not rise to the surface, and it
was washed under the gates.
When the trial came off Detective Hall
told Henry A. Wise, counsel for the ac-
cused, that he had a confession from the
latter, which. IL used, would probably
save the prisoners neck from the gal
lows. The able lawyer refused, however
and Sergeant Hall held his tongue and
the man was convicted on other evil
dence. and sentenced to be hung. Then
the officer told the lawyer that he HalD
intended to save the mans neck, which
could have been done in the first in
stance had his advice been taken
Governor Kemper heard OF this. and
sent for the detective. The latter told
the Executive the circumstances con-
nected with the case, and the Governor
committed the sentence.
Venable is alive to-day, and is at work
In this city.
SKETCHES OF THE TRIO.
Sergeant A. NJ. (Alex) TomlinsoiL
Chief Of Detectives, is possibly as well
known as any man in Richmond. He
was born at Twenty-hfth and venabIs
streets then Henrico) forty-seven years
ago. Though mere boy, he enlisted in
the local forces, and was In the fight at
Glen Burnie." He was appointed on the
police force August 30. ISIS; acting SER
geant in 1883, and full sergeant in 1885.
For many years past Sergeant Tomlinson
has been detailed in detective work, also
holding special commission as Detec-
tive for the State Of Virginia. He was.
in the wards OF the late lamented chief.
his right bower" and Is also accounted
by Major Howard one of his ablest as
sistants. Sergeant Tomlinsons record Is |
that of the police Of Richmond, for there |
has not been case OF any great promi- |
hence during his incumbency in which he |
has not figured.
Next on the detective detail is Sergeant |
John II. Hall. who has served on the |
force longer than either of his fellow on |
GERS. He was born in the county OF /
August g. 1910. and came to |
this city in 1866. He was on the old night |
watch in 1861, but on March 9. 1862 re- |
signed. and volunteered In the Richmond |
Blues. In which company he served until |
The close OF the war. At the last fight |
Sailors Creek be was captured and sent |
10 Point Lookout. where he remained un-
III June Of that year. Returning to Rich
mond, he was In 1S66 appointed on the |
police force: was removed by the military |
authorities, but restored by Major Poe. |
since which time he has served continu-
,usIy. Off1cers Hall and Tomlinson are
great friends. and In nearly all the i'm
,ortant cases coming within their scope
hey have worked together.
Detective e. A. Gibson Is the third men,
Der OF the secret-seryice force. He Was
,orn In Richmond city July 5. 1919. When
n his 18th year. in February. 1852. he en-
cred the Richmond Blues as drummer
10Y. and served through the entire war. ]