Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-26
BURNED IN HIS HOME.
A FaTmYiIIe Mans Terrible Death
EARLY This Morning,
MYSTERIOUS PISTOL SHOTS,
They Were Heard a Few Minutes Before
the Fire Was Discovered.
BODY FOUND LYING ON THE FLOOR.
IT Was Several Feet from the Bed
The Dead Mnn Was Native Of
FnrmviIIc, md Very Popuiar-Mnny
Relatives.

FARMVILLE, VA, November $3.50
\. M.-(Special)-Mr n. z. Boatwrght
one of the best-known men in Farmville
and this entire section, lost his life late
tonight in a most mysterious manner.
His home is a mass OF smouldering ruins
A few minutes before / o'clock this
morning the cry Of fire broke out upon
the stiffness Of the night. The department
responded with great promptness, the
bright light from the direction Of Mr..
Boatwrights residence guiding them.
When the company reached the old home,
where Mr.. Boatwright and his nephew,
Mr.. J. Il. Robinson. and family reslaeo,
the roof was nearly ready to fall in.
BODY LYING on THE FLOOR.
The fremen rushed into the building
and up to the attic, where Mr.. Boatwright
slept The door was locked. 1t was
quickly smashed I'm. A mass of flame
leaped out. and the fremen had to spring
back. But in an instant Policeman
Orange sprang forward through the
fame and smoke, searching for Mr.. Boat
wrlghts body. He found it on the floor
several feet from the bed. The body was
seized and carried downstairs. In a few
minutes the building was in ruins. The
body was charred almost beyond recogni-
ton.
Mr.. J. Z. Robinson, a nephew Of Mr.
Boatwrights. and Mrs. Robinson and
their little child occupied room i'm
mediately beneath that in which the dead
man slept.
HEARD TWO PISTOL-SHOTS.
Mr. Robinson says he was awakened
by a sound, apparently caused BY .ne
discharge Of a pistol. An instant later
there was the sound Of another pistol
shot lie did not pay any heed TO the
sounds, as they were apparently not
close at hand.
lie had lain awake about ten minutes.
when plastering began dropping on to the
bed. Al almost the same time he smelled
smoke
He sprang from the bed, aroused his
wife and child, and rushed out with them.
HEROIsM OF THE FIREMEN.
The entire upper portion Of the build
ing Was burning. Ii was impossible Tor
him to reach his uncle's room. He gave
tho alarm of fire. The neighbors were
aroused and rus he'd to his assistance. But
tho alemen were almost as prompt.
The latter, as well as officer orange,
displayed great courage in entering the
building, the roof OF which threatened to
crash in at any moment
Mr.. Boatwrghrs body was terribly
burned 1t could not De told certainly
that he had been shot before death. ~his
matter may he settled to-day.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
Tonight there - llS must iANtA'N 60
element in the little town. Mr.. Boat
wright was one oil the best-known and
best-iked citizens Of Farmyille. only yes
terday afternoon he was on the street.
and in unusually good spirits.
Mr.. BoatwIight was born forty eight
wears ago in the house IN which he died,
which was one OF the Oldest in the town.
For many years nc was a tobacconist
here but had Tor some time been the
proprietor Of a large store. lie was IN
married. lie has many relatives In this
place and surrounding section
IN THE DARK AS TO CAUSE.
There is at present absolutely nothing
uoon which to base a theory Of suicide.
save the pistolshots, and the fact that
The body was found on the floor SO far
as known MT. Boatwright's affairs were
i'm good condition, and there was nothing
10 make him tired Of existence. He was
a man Of fine disposition. and 'of uniform
good spirit.
THE KENTUCKY SITUATION.