Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25
THE DEED YELLED IN MYSTERY.
The Tragedy Occurs Near the store
of Carter, who surrcaders Himself,
aud L. Charged With Murder-An
Inquest Held.


II. Moore a Well-known contractor and
builder Of Manchester. was shot and
killed yesterday shortly before noon. by
James Penrose Carter, proprietor of a
grocery store on the Hermitage road,
about four and half miles from the
city. Mr.. Moore was shot in the back
and died almost instantly.
The tragedy occurred within a stones
throw Of Mr.. Carter's store but II was
witnessed by only one person-Willie
Winston a plough hand on Carriers farm.
As soon as he committed the deed,
Carter returned to his home, put mis-
pistol away, dressed himself, and came
10 the city, going directly to the county
courthouse. where he surrendered HIM
self to Sheriff Solomon.
Before leaving home, however, Carter
told his wife and the ploughman that be
had committed the deed in self-defence.
The latter says Carter told him that Mr..
Moore owed him for some sand he had
hauled for him, and that he asked MIN
for payment. and his answer was
threat and an effort on the part Of Moore
TO draw pistol and shoot him.
MIR. Moores horse ran, after the firing,
but the unfortunate gentleman fell from
his buggy about 100 yards up the road,
where he was picked up by some work
men. who telephoned to the county court
house for Coroner Croxton They knew
nothing of the shooting, and when the
Coroner arrived told him that Mr.. Moore
had been thrown from his buggy by a
runaway horse and killed The Coroner,
however, soon ascertained differently,
when ne examined the body and found
two bullet holes i'm it. He then empanel-
led a jury and held an inquest, the YER
dict being soon rendered TO th, Meet that
that the deceased had come 10 his death
by pistol-shot wounds at the hands of
some person unknown.
MRS. CARRIERS STATEMENT
The jury at this time did not know of
Mr.. Carriers connection with the case.
As soon. however, as the inquest was
concluded the Dispatch man walked
down to the store where he found Mrs.
Carter and her three children. At first
the lady was disinclned 10 discuss the
case. but she yielded TO questioning, and
made the following statement: Il did
not see the shooting. l was seated in the
room in the rear of the store at the time.
Mr.. Carter left the house, saying ne was
going down the road to see how Willie
Winston was getting on with his plough
ing. He had been gone but few minutes
when / heard two pistol shots, and saw
Mr. Moore's buggy so dashing past the
door. In a short while Mr.. Carter entered
and laid his pistol on the table in the
back room. He said he had shot Mr..
Moore, but had done it in self-defence.
l don't know what led to the shooting. l
do know that Mr. Moore owed my nus
band some money for some sand ne had
hauled for him, and that was what
brought about the shooting / think. Ny
husband as soon as he could after the
shooting. dressed himself and left here,
saying he was going to the county court
house TO surrender himself"
The reporter was shown the pistol with
which the contractor was killed. 1t is
q smith & Wcsson, double action, 3S-
Calbre revolver, and three of its five
chambers were empty. After eXaming the
pistol the reporter sought out Willie
Winston, who was still in the field plough
ing
WINSTON HEARD THE SHOTS.
Winston said at first that he did not
See the shooting. He was 10th 10 talk of
the matter, but finally told the whole
story. Il was ploughing in the field
along the road" he said, land had Just
reached the end of furrow on the road
SIDE when Mr.. Moore drove past in his
buggy He spoke TO me and continued at
q log trot. / turned my mules around
and started up the next furrow, but be-
fore l had gotten well on the way
pistol was fired and my mules started 10
run. Another shot followed at once, ana
al soon as l could steady my mules
turned and saw Mr.. Moore's buggy dash
INK up the road and Mr.. Carter standing
by the roadside with the smoking pistol
In his hand. He turned then and walked
10 where / stood and asked; Did you
Sec the accidentT "
what accidentY j asked.
81 have killed Moore was his reply.
IL was I'm self-defence, though. lie
threatened my life and tried TO draw
pistol and shoot me, and let him nave
IL frst
what made you kill Mr.. Carter?
asked.
lie owed me for a lot of sand / had
hauled for him. was his reply. He then
walked on up the road to the house ara
j heard afterwards that he had gone 10
town to give himself up"
DID Mr. Moore stop his buggy long
enough 10 have threatened Mr.. Carriers
hfe?' asked the reporter Of the darky.
"He didn't stop at all, boss" was the
reply They might have held some
Conversation, though 1 didn't hear none,
and II they did talk. they must have tax
ed mighty fast cause II won't no time
after Mr.. Moore passed me before 'he
shooting occurred"
CARTER sURRENDERS HIMSELF.
The shooting occurred about n:So
O'clock, and AT i245 Carter entered the
sheriffs office, at the county COURTHOUSE
and gave himself UP 70 Mr.. Solomon
lie was at once taken before Magistrate
g. w. Thomas who issued a warrant
charging him with murder, and on this
he was locked UP in the jail. Carter
was not at all excited. He told the Of
hcers that he preferred not 10 make any
statement. but that he had had ample
justification for the shooting. Later on
his brother, Mr. X. X. Carter. huckster
~ the Second Market visited the jan