Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-27
SUFFOLK.
Melton Lawrence, Colored, in Jail
Charged With Murder.
.nys he Is Innooent-A Fugitive from
Justice. Pursued by Posse
Died in sm.,hnetd-A Prcaoher
0rdnined.
Especial to virglnian- Pnot.)

w
The murder OF JOHN Melton James w.
Lawrence, % years of age, lies III a
cell in Nansemond county jail, where
he Will be held for the grand jury
The killing, from meager particulars,
seems to have been done in cold blood.
Wyanokc Ferry, twenty two miles
from Suffolk, was the scene. Melton
was riding in a cart with two compan-
ions when Lawrence approached and
shot him in the head. The ball pierced
the brain and death came almost i'm
mediately. 10th are colored
County Officer w. e. Whitfield was
notified, and after working nearly all
night succeeded in bringing Lawrence
before Justice Willie II. Jones. The
two witnesses, the dead mans COM
panions, both said Lawrence was the
one who did the shooting. He was held
for court.
stoutly. lie denies ever having been
mad with Melton, and says he never
owned or carried q gun. He confesses
to having drank some gin that even
ing.
FELLED WITH A CLUB.
as result of holiday fracas near
Holland, Luter Holland, 26 years old,
lies on bed of agony with his head
broken his life hanging in a doubtful
balance. and Luther Luter, aged %, is n
fugitive from justice, perhaps wounded
and i'll.
Luter struck Holland on the head
with a stout bludgeon, which felled
him. Holland was taken home and
Luter went to his own residence.
Later officer c. G. King had Luter
under arrest but had not put on the
cuffs. While Kings attention was
called away Luter grabbed the door
and made q bolt for liberty King fol-
lowed and shot five times at the flee
ing man, but without stopping HIM.
posse was organized and Luters
home was surrounded. Luter was not
found A female relative of Lutcr
asked the officer why he had shot
Luter. That would indicate Luter had
been homes The band of pursuers
have had no word of Luters where
abouts. Holland has chance to get
well. lie is delirious.
Luter's dash for freedom was made
when 1t was reported that his victim
was dead. Both persons are white.
II is reported that I,uter and Hol-
land had words over girl some
months ago, and Luter had made
threats against Holland. Christmas
was decided on as a good time for eX-
ecution.
DRANK CHRISTMAS LIQUOR.
Police Judge Brewer didn't have very
many artists in his -Yulctide show
to-day, but there was a standing-room
audience.
Charles wilkins, the Gates county
negro, who fought against going to
Jail because he was worth $1,000, had 10
answer the charge of baing drunk and
Il sorderly He was allowed to go upon
the payment OF 81. 80. He had previous
ly given cash and jewelry as personal
security for apps arance.
John Warda got sixty days in jnil.
John Is the man who took charge OF
tGpcoat in G.. Lipmans store last Sat
urday
Harriet Smith and Gussie Britt were
up for fighting. Their Christmas fun
hsd stimulated their latent pugnncious
instincts and n ,row was the result.
Gussies name can be found in many
places on thu docket but she manages
to raise the cash and stay in town. Her
Silt to the Sergeant was $500. Harriet
got off with so less.
DIED IN sAIITHFIBLD.
Mrs. Ellen NJ. Chalmers died at Q
o'clock Sunday morning Mt her home
In Snithticld. The end was sudd IN. The
d ceased was aged ab ut SIS years.
The deceased NOS tie mother OF Mrs
Mcry Maury, rcH,t II Richmond AIau-
~, late OF Danvilla, and Harry Jordon.
student at Virginia Military Insti-
tutc. Her husbands were Frank Jordon
and G. G.. Chalmers.
The funeral WAS conducted from
Christ's p. Z. Church.
a HOLLAND FRACAs.
There was hot time in the old town
OF holland Christmas day.
Frenzied men and women made the
peas eful hamlet a nightmare of tur-
mOil. The barrooms were closed about
midday. There are no policemen at
Holland. The consia hles. after using
clubs with advantage. and with Tho as
gated the worst clement Some were
put in irons. One woman fought des-
rera tcly.
Several persons were fncd to-day and
other cases were continu d.
y PREACHER ORDAINED.
Rev. w b. Daughtrey was to-day or
dained at Beaver Dam Baptist Church
Four ministers tool, part in the orlna-
ton. Rev. j. j.. Lawless, of Franklin,
preached the sermon; Rev. ]. T. Love,
OF Suffolk, delivered the charge; Rev.
j. Il. Jones, of South Quay, made the
prayer, and Rev. L. j. Bowden, OF
Windsor. presented the Bible.
Vt the Baptist Church Wednesday
evening Mr.. Love viii sneak on ID. l..
Mocdy's Life and Work" Mr.. Love
knew and labored with the great evan
gelist at Mortified, Mass, the latter's
home.
FARM SOLD.
Mr.. j. Walter Hosler to-day closed
n deal through which the farm of John
II Harrell a mile north of Suffolk, be-
comes the property of j. w. Pepper. OF
Louisiana. The price was $3.50.
ADJUSTMENTS.