The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-03
new FACTS IN THE
SUSSEX TRAGEDY.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

house to look for some hands. When
near the place of murder dlrecIS III
the path was travelling. came across
buggy and horse hitched and united.
This was no strange occurrence IN this
community, as a.larse lumber business Is
being conducted, and often the parties
conducting this business drive into the
woods and allow their teams 10 remain
where they enter the woods.
went on, leaving the horse and buggy
where I had found them. Upon arriving
at Z negro,s loiise close by the negro
told me he had seen the horse and buggy
carly that morning, when going to work.
then thought 1t was strange that any
one should leave a horse hooked to
buggy and united for SO long time
AN EXAMINATION.
l took the negro with me and returned
to the horse and made something of an
investigation by examining the contents
Of the buggy, which were 4 black over
coat, halter, rein and whip. There was
nothing III the pockets of the coat by
which | could learn anything SfeinE
the horse was thirsty and hungry, | took
him to my house, believing Mt IL time
it WAS stolen property and had been de-
serted by The thief.
The negro referred to above is curing
tobacco in one of my barns, and Friday.
ertcriber 26th, about A O'Clock r NJ. he
started a chap of his to the barn TO look
after the tobacco. Getting near thc place
cf the murder. the boys attention was
attracted TO the place by a horrible odor,
and by going a few steps from the path
and within about forty yards of the dead
bodies, he saw what he took to he two
persons lying on the ground. He was, OF
course badly frightened. and came for
Ills father, and the two came 10 look
for me- | at once went With them to
where the bodies were. and was the first
person to go near them. 1t was then set.
ting dark. and I had to use lantern to-
see the bodies
THE mo LEST
I returned home, notified the justice Of
the peace, and early next morning the
inquest was held. At the inquest it was
found Miss Lee was shot twice, once in the
breast, which was only a flesh wound,
and once in the head. Mitchell was
shot only once the shot taxing effect in
Their bodies were not touched by any
one until the morning on which the in-#
quest was held Saturday, Septenber 18th,
Two of the jurors made the search of
the bofties in the presence Of the jury
and many witnesses. SjN hundred and
thirtyfour dollars and thirty cents was
found unon the person Of Mitchell to-
gethef with 4 diamond ring, gold watch,
bunch Of keys and knife. y pistol was
lying by his let side and under his
left hand. snotber pistol was found in
his hip pocket, aria under him as he lay
on his hack. Letters were in his pocket
showing that Miss Lee lad discarded
him several months before.
GIRL ITRpERED
Miss Lee was evidently murdered. and
then placed upon a buggy robe She
was lying upon her side, with her hand
kerchief in her hand. as il weeping wi1an
killed. Mitchell was rot upon the robe
but some four feet from it.
Believing all the While hat Hiss Lee
was not upon the rc5e.HntiI after death.
this c.tenin= together with the acting
for the purpose Of satisfying myself as
to my FIST opinion Upon our arrival
we carefully examined the ground, an!
80 our entire satisfaction. ne found posi-
tive proof hat Miss Lee fell s8nle
twelve feet from yshers sl1e was lyint;
on the robe. ere inga psol s. Blood
at this PORT eha no blood could have
otherwise bee x@eot from hel wound
1t could not nave been NIitchallts blood
as he was shot through thetemp,e and
death must have been almost inseanta-
neou:- and besides there We're no signs
of a. struggle whatever
I hope you will see st to publish this
statement. as it scts forth the facts as
they are. The letters from Mss Lee.
found in Mitche1l's rocket. 90 Is prove
in every particular that she was a wo-
man of the rltres, character. and ever
mindful Of her fathers wishes.
A b Bate.