Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-16
DR.. TEMPLE ALIVE
The Victim Of Rev. Riddick's Wrath
Somewhat Better Yesterday.
No Now Developments in the Case MIR.
Riddick Willing to BIO Hanged If tho Ev-
idence Warrants 1T, but no VIII ciaim
Justification In Shooting.

| Brcadnax, Va, March 15.-The condi-
ton of DR.. William Temple is some
what better this morningf though 1t is
feared that there is but little hope of
his ultimate recovery.
Rev. j. e. r. Riddick, who shot DIR.
Temple. is still in jail, and there are no
new developments in the case
a special from Lawrenceville says:
Rev. j. Il. r. Riddick, who did the
shooting. is in a very nervous condi-
ton, having slept and eaten but little
since he was arrested.
1t was first thought that Mr.. Rid
dicks defense would be insanity, but it
| is now said he will claim lie was JUS
titled in his act.
| A close friend who has inst visited
him i'll Jail says he states if the evil
dence shows he should 0e hanged he
is willing to hang. and if 1t should be
proven he should be confined in prison
ne IS willing, but he expects to prove
that he was justified in his action.
Dr.. Temple realized at once the Sc
rious character of his wounds. and
made his will and arranged other
earthly affairs.
In his statement which was taken
by the magistrate he denied any i'm
proper words or acts toward Mrs, Rid
| dick.
Mrs. RiddicS gave birth to a son Sun
day night. and is in a state of great
! nervousness.
Mr.. Riddick is afflicted with deaf
ness to an inconvenient degree, and
| those in this city who know him saw
that his inilrmity, added TO a sensitive
| disposition, caused him to be easily ir-
ritated; that not hearing we'll he easily
misunderstood others, and the more
| easily took offense.
The following sketch Of the minister
Will be of interest u this time:
kew. j. E. r. Riddick, designated by
the members Of the Methodist Confer
enco as "Roane," was born at Lees
burg. in Loudoun county, Va, March
is, 1850, and is of Celtic race, with an
admixture of Anglo-Saxon. His par
entS were Rev. Joseph II, Rfddick and
Pattie Ann Roane. lie was descended
on his fathers side from the Riddicks
or Nansemond county and the Austin
family of North Carolina; on his moth
er's side from the Roanes Of Charles
CITY county and the Ipeses and Roy
ais OF Nottoway county. Wiley Rid
dick. an ancestor, was a member with
Patrick Henry on the Committee of
SAFETY" appointed by the Legislature
OF Virginia during the Revolutionary
War at one time this family was re-
marketable for five living ministers. or
the Roanes, Spencer Roane was a
member of the United States Senate,
and William Roane is eulogiZcd by
William Writ In the preface to his life
OF Patrick Henry. portrait of this
Roare is in the State Library at Rich
mond.
]. e. r. Riddick became a member
OF the Methodist Church in 1852 and
Joined the Conference the same year.
lie iirst served Norfolk circuit as n
coiieague of Rev. j. d. DeEerry. He
was pastor of Rlandford Chanel g.,
Petcrsburg for the following three
years, and the next two served Bell
Haven circuit, Wakefield circuit, East
DanVille circuit Sussex circuit. and i'm
1898 was sent to South Brunswick cir
cut. which charge he was serving
when he shot DR.. Temple.
while pastor of West End Mission
Church in Petersburg he married Miss
Josephine Shepperson of Battersea
daughter of the late Nathaniel Sben,
person, formerly blacksmith in the
employment of the Norfolk and West
| ern Railroad Company. There was con-
siderable opposition to this union by the
| family of Mr.. Riddick but he was un-
wiling TO consult the wishes of his
family. and married Miss Shepperson
in Petersburg on the oath of August.
1887.
Mr+-Riddick possesses an ANALYTICAL
mind. with much originality and earn
estness. Fills sermons always had an
| aim and purpose. TIe used no notes in
preaching. His voice is clear and full,
and his gestures are moderate.
There is an absence of screaming and
repetition of stock phrases in his
and stout build. with blue eyes, light
hair, high forehead, and a somewhat
| sedate expression.