Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-04
a DAsTARD1.Y CRIME.
Charles T. Wyatt Murdered and Rob,
bed-Suspeets Under Arrest.


bed-Suspeets Under Arrest
Considerable excitement was created
yesterday morning when 1t became
known that Mr. Chas. Wyatt. Il well
Known citizen. had been robbed and
murdered In his own home, near the
SCOTS creek bridge. and was SO badly
beaten that he died in few hours.
Mr.. Wyatt kept grocery store
where the old street car stables used to
De or Glasgow street near the bridge,
and lived In the rear of the store. He
closed his place of business as usual on
Wednesday night and went to bed. He
had hot been we'll for some time and
about o'clock yesterday got UP and
went down stairs to mix himself
drink. After ne got down there he met
negro man in his kitchen. who had
gained an entrance by cutting slat
out one OF the blinds, and raising
window. When MIR. Wyatt entered the
kitchen the man was in there. He had
in his hand coupling pin and struck
Mr.. Wyatt over the head, crushing his
skull. The negro then went through
him, securing about six or eight dollars
In money, watch and ring and some
other things. Mrs. Wyatt heard the
noise of her husba nds fall and his
groans and started down stairs to see
what was the matter. AS she did so
she saw large. stout negro man go
ing out through TIE door. She went to
Ter husband and found him uncon-
scious and bleeding freely. The neigh
borhoOd was aroused. Some gentlemen
wired for DR.. Hope, who came as quick
~ rs possible. He found that the man
was beyond his skill. At 1890 he died.
Coroner Holiday was notified and had
the following jury summoned: j. Il.
Caison. Geo. S. Lawrence. IL. Ii. White.
S. II. Barclay, w. T. Backus. Jr., and
Walter G. Brooks. They went 10 the
house where the murder was committed
at 80 o'clock and viewed the body,
taking Mrs. Wyatts testimony and
that of the colorcd man who left there
when the place was closed the previous
night. They then adjourned. The
jury met at o'clock rs per adjourn
mcnt. and after discussing the case for
some time adjourned to meet this
morning at 10 o'clock to consult with
the CONFERENCE.-The Attorney, who
WAS absent from the city. 1t was shown
in the evidence that Wyatt was killed
with coupling pin. Later the jury
reconvened and brought In their YER
dict as follows: I'VE. the jury find
that the deceased. Chas T. Wyatt,
came To his death from a blow struck
with coupling pin by some person
unknown to the jury"
Mr.. Wyatt was quiet. unassuminS
friends who will regret to learn of his
unfortunate death.
There is but little doubt but what
the man who killed Mr. Wyatt is the
same man who knocked Mr.. Martin on
the head few mornings ago and rob-
bed him of s25 and watch. He was
assaulted near the same place while
sitting on box about ) o'clock in the
morning.
ARHIS'TED an SJvSpICION
Edward Gay. the negro who worked
at Wyatts store, was arrested ycster-
day afternoon on suspicion of being
one of the parties who murdered Mr..
Charles Wyatt yesterday morning. Gay
failed to show up yesterday at the in
quest. and when arrested he told two
different yarns. He said first he was
sick. and later that he had made an
enga cement to clean some lots and
just finished them when he showed up.
He claims that he knows nothing of
the affair.
William Epps was arrested in the
county by Constables Huybert and
Hutchrs. and was lodged in the county
Jail on suspicion of being the party who
committed the act. lie denies knowing
anything about the murder. He testified
before the jury and said that he was
sitting at the window opposite Wyatt's
store ana saw some men when hey
came out. His whole dcmeanor was sus-
plclous. Whlcn made the jury so. When
arrested he was at Primers Point. and
was making his way for West Norfolk
in order that he might escape. He has
blood on his clothes and answers the
description given by Miss Wyatt. Epps
claims not to have worked for rail
road. and never knew what a coupling
pin was. When caught he was running
from the officers and making his way
to the woods. He is n bad looking negro
and is very saucy. The authorities
think that they have the right man.
ljpps is sanitary inspector. 1t can be
proven that t1r ms worked on railroads
for years