The Washington times., 1901-06-30
CLOSING ABOUT VAN ARsDALE.
The Net of CircumstantiaI Evidence
Being Drawn Tighter.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va, June 29.-It is
reported here that Russell Van Arsdale,
arrested in Richmond and Yesterday held
by the Warwick County coroner's jury.
charged with the murder OF his great-un-
Gle, Robert Kelly, is the son Of a clergy
man of Hackensack, n. j., and is a Rut-
gers College man.
He is said to have come South because
OF his wildness
The grand jury win probably be drawn
Monday to take up Van Arsdale's case. 1t
is expected that speedy trial viii fol-
low.
The story of the murder is pretty gen
orally known and Van Arsdale's move
ments sir.ee last Sunday, when he visited
the old man at his home on Deep Creek,
and when, he says, he received from him
the watch which was found on his person
when he was arrested in Richmond, have
been published There are certain phases
Of his supposed connection with the crime,
however. which are not so well known.
Russell Van Arsdale lived on Scone's
Dam with his mother and his brother,
George 1t is known that for the past
week or so he had no money. Sunday he
and his brother visited the Kelly broth
ers. Samuel Kelly stated his intention Of
leaving for a few days to visit relatives
at North Newport News. The next
morning at o'clock Samuel Kelly left
after bidding his brother goodbye. About
noon that day Robert Kelly was struck
from behind with large axe. two vicious
blows being dealt on his head.
It has been established that the murder
er Of Kelly worked side by side with him
cutting wood just before the crime. There
are stir two wood piles standing in front
OF the house. Where the body fell, near
one Of the piles, was found a large hatch
et, which the old man was evidently using
when struck. Close by was the bloody
axe which did the work. The presumption
is that the other man crept up behind
Kelly, or stood over him while he was
stopping and delivered the cruel blows for
the purpose of robbing him Of his money.
Young Van ArsdaleS $ clothes were not
Of the best prior to his departure from
his home Monday morning ~ O'Clock.
but when arrested in Richmond, it is
stated ne wore good clothes, new clothes.
lie has not yet explained why it was that,
ii the old man gave him his watch, as
he claims he did not give him the chain
also. Near the trunk, which had been
pricd open with "A large chisel, was found
the chain belonging to Robert Kelly. This
was Tuesday night. The coroners jury
regarded IL as strange that the watch
chain should be on the floor, outside OF
the trunk. when the watch Was in Van
ArSdaies pocket
Now comes tie statement that Sheriff
Curtis brought back from Richmond, with
his prisoner the shirt which Van Ars-
dale removed in jail or somewhere else
prior 10 putting on new clothes and that
this shirt shows evidences OF fresh blood
spots.
II is reported that another person was
seen in the same vicinity on the day of
the murder, and il is possible that he may
be arrested as a material witness If not
as a suspect The direction of the. au-
thorities' searching enquiries. however,
would Indicate that they are not so sure
that this person knows anything about
the crime.
The prisoner IS not so composed in his
cell at the Warwick jail as nc was when
arrested in Richmond ana brought TO the
court house.
1t Is said that he Is apparently laboring
under great nervous strain. He Is being
closely watched.