The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-15

Ny. John W. Scolt, one OIL sitlchinond s
widely known citizens. 4. scion of a noted
family OF the city and State, leaders in
railroad, banking and social circles, re-
ceived his death blow and was robbed
about half-pass o'clock yesterday morn
ing within two blocks of his home, No.
7l2 West Franklin Street. With five ugly
wounds on his head. including two crac-
lures of the skull, he was found on the
stone steps of the residence of President
j. I. D. Myers, of the FIchmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac Railway, at No.
SIS West Franklin, shriekins for help.
With his last remaining strength he had
tried to ring the door-bel to call for
assistance, failing back into the stupor
OF death.
From every circumstance that has been
gathered thus far. forming a somewhat
incohrent whole, It seems that Mr.. Scott
was struck down by several blows, and
from that time forward he never regained
sufficient command of himself to tell any
thing of the assault. although he was
seIni-consc:ous for an hour or so after the
CRIME. He died at the Retreat for the Sex
on North Twelfth Street at 8 o'clock yes
terday morning. The funeral Will be held
Saturday at noon. There is no clue to
the murderer.
GREAT MYSTERY.
For time yesterday, as a host of in
vestieators turned their attention to this
strange crime which is one OF the great
est murder mysteries Richmond has eyer.
known, there was a new theory every
hour Al one time in the afternoon the
police abandoned entirely the theory OF
murder: but as the Investigation pro-
ceeded they We're forced TO revert to 1t,
and are. now. probing with that ides..
Meanwhile they had entertained, and
seemingly with some cause. the accideli-
tal idea; again a theory that Mr.. Scott
mighs have been struck by an engine on
Relridere Street. and also the 5street-cai.
idea, but all were finally abandoned.
Suddenly the police net was spread and
the fer-retng oat Of a criminal began
There seems not the slightest doEbt that
murder was done, although there are
those who do not believe in the robbery
theory. AS opposed to this all inquiry.
no matter in what direction. has failed to
discover any one in the world who had
the slightest enn.ity against Mr.. Scott,
and in support of the robbery theory there
is The fact that a valuable gold watch
which had been in Mr.. SCOTS possession.
The murdered mans family. think these
wFr.. stolen by the man who killed Mr..
Scott Altogether there is a web, the
like OF which Richmond police have
rarely been called upcn to nnravel.
It has been suggested, and the police
believe plausibly, that the murderer of
Mr. Scott may possibly be the same
man who recently struck down Engineer
Southwark in Monroe Park late one
night; and that this hand too may be
that which so seriously threatened the
life of a. boy in that sar.1e locality a few
days ago by choking Beyond the mere
fact OF the crime having been committed
III the same portion of the city. however.
there seems TO be nothing to substantiate
this theory.
HIS LAST ACTIONS.
"Wednesday afternoon Mr. Scott was out
horse-ba ok riding Will, a party of friends.
returning 10 the city proper about 6
o'clock and dining at home. After dinner
he tlio not take the trouble TO change his
dress but in his riding costume called on
some iaoies, remaining until about IL
o'clock
After this call Mir. Scott returned to his
home for a few minutes, and then. still
without having made any change IL, his
clothing, went to the Commonwealth Glao,
at no. SOL West Franklin Street. With
a marty of friends there he took late sup
ner. being at that time in the best cf
health and spirits, and some time be-
tween fifteen minutes to one and half
mast one o'clock he left the club and
started for his home, four blocks away.
Fron, that time the mystery begins. Mr.
Scott was alone. but Franklin Street at
one o'clock in the morning is not only
brilliantly lighted, but 1t has fair per-
centage of pedestrians. therefore danger
IA that particular thoroughfare had never