Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-29
SHOT THROUGH NECK,
Foul Murder in Isle Of
Wight County
OF A PROMINENT CITIZEN
Found Hours After The Deed Was
Committed.
A YOUNG MAN SUSPECTED.
The Supposed Motive of the Crime
circumstances on which Suspicion
Is Based-The Connections of the
Murdered Man.
YOUNG MAN SUSPECTED.

NORFOLK, VA, December &..-(Spe-
cial)-Mr. c. p. Turner. whose home was
near Ferguson's Wharf, in Isle of Wight
county. was found dead near his
house at Ii o'clock last night Through
his neck a charge of shot had passed.
evidently some hours before. His wife
and daughter were at Ferguson's Wharf
yesterday and returned home about dark.
Young Nick Gilligan. who is believed to
have been a sutton for the daughters
hand. and, 1t is stated. had been forbidden
the house by her father, was, it Is said.
at the house when they returned. Soon
after this. Mr. Turner started TO the
stable TO feed his horses. It had grown
dark. so he carried a lantern. His wife
and daughter entered the house ard after
a time heard shot. They thought no.
thing of this, It being Christmas time, but
growing anxious later because Mr.. Tur-
ner did not return. sent 10 a neigh
bOIs house. where IL was thought he
might be- This neighbor know nothing
OF his whereabouts. and the messenger
yard he stumbled over body, which
proved to be that of Mr.. Turner. Twenty
feet away lay the murdered mans lantern
and gloves. Suspicion fell upon Gil
ligan and officers went TO arrest
him. but had not up to tonight been
able TO find him. 1t is believed that no
has fed.
IL was learned to-day that Gilligan bor-
rOwed "A double-barreled shotgun yester-
day of a neghbOr-Peter Thompson-and
later returned it. In one barrel there was.
il Is said, no charge, although both are
said 10 have been loaded when the gun
was loaned. I'm the county Giliigan's guilt
is presumed.
Mr. Turner owned saw-mil, AMI was,
although slightly eccentric. very highly
thought of. He was about 60 years old.
He was prominently connected In Rich
m0nd and Nelson county, having nAItleu
Miss Agnes Lee Thomas. OF Nelson. Mr..
Turner was the uncle Of Mr.. l.. w. Smith.
of the firm OF Haenselman a Smith, civil
engineers. OF Norfolk. and Of Mr.. Richard
Pnklngton, purser Of the Norfolk and
Washington steamer Newport News. Mr..
Smith, who only returned last night
from his unces home, where M spent
Christmas left this afternoon Oh lhe
Smithneld steamer 10 attend MIR. Tur-
ner's funeral and investigate the circum-
stances attending his murder Mr.. Tur-
ner left a considerable estate.
His brother Richard Turner, was In
charge of Libby prison during the war
between the States. The funeral Is ex-
pected 10 be- held Friday. There Is much
excitement throughout the county.
Another Account.
SMITHFIELD. VA, December %-
(Special)-Mr. c. b. Turner. we'll
known and highly esteemed citizen. was
murdered last night between and z
O'Clock He was shot through the neck
with "a shotgun. and died almost instantly.
Mr. Turner was a prosperous saw-mili
man. living about eight miles from
Smlthheld There is very strong sus-
picion against Nicholas Gilligan. Gill;
gan. IL s. stated. WAS seen on Mr.. Tur-
ner's premises at about . O'Clock In the
evening. with q shotgun. lie had. II Is
said. "a dificulty with Mr.. Turner a snort
while back. Mr. Gilligan had not been
arrested late this evening.