Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28

One Of the most myss>rious shootings
which has come Under the notice OF she
Police OF this city for some time occur-
red about II o'clock last night. when
man named Frank F. Diliard was shot
dh:n in his own store at No 500 east
Clay street. by an unknown man
a;r- billiard. with his family movsd
here from Lynchburg only yesterday. IA
had bought out j. H cox ana proposed
to continue the; business ut the same
stand. Mr.. Cox was to have been ut thu
store with him yesterday to initiate bin
into the business. and to so over the so
counts Early In the day he receives. q
note from Cox saving that he wns SICK
ard could not keep his engagement.
IN the meantime, man whom the po.
lice suppose to be Wilson. appeared at
the store with bill OF $40 for groeeriea
from the a. F. Messick Grocery Cosi-
pany. wholesale grocers and commission
merchants, No. 1907 east Cary street.
Referred Him to Cox.
Mr. billiard told him that he knew moth
ing Of the bill. but that Mr.. Cox would
be in later and he could then see him.
The man left. and later In the day assin
entered the store and presented the bill,
only to be told that Mr. Cox had not
yet come. In the afternoon he made ar
other visit. only to receive the sanns
answer. and about II O'Clock last night RI
went to the store accompanied by a young
man whom Mr.. billiard supposed was this
collectors son. This time the man de-
manded of Mr. billiards. brother. who was
in the store, that the bill be paid He
said Mr.. billiard had bought out Mr.. Cox
and was responsible. and that he inten,!-
ed getting the goods out OF stock Hers
some words were exchanged and the
elder man OF the two called Frank Dill
lard d. theiying scoundrei
Mr.. billiard was upstairs at the time.
but being told OF the remark. he came
down. He asked the collector if he had
used the language. and the man said
yes Then Mr.. Diliard struck him..
whereupon the younger man. who cams
with the collector. pulled revolver and
fired at Mr.. Dillard. The bullet entered
the pit OF the stomach. Mr.. billiards.
brother, who was IN the store at the time
rushed next door and asked that tina
ambulance be 'phonsd FOR. He seemed
excited and said that his brother had
been shot. but knew nothing further The
gentleman to whom, he was talking sug-
geste<i that ne notify the police. and ha
said that he did not know where to find
one. In the meantime, the man who did
the shooting, disappeared with his COM
panion- /.
Taken to st. Lukc,s-
Upon the arrival of the ambulance. with
DR.. Proctor in atten!ance It was decii-
ed to take Mr.. Dil'ard to ST. Luke's hos
pitaI AS soon as he was gottcr there ha
was placed on the operating tlbie. and tins
wound eS,lrine,I. It sas found that tia
bullet had 20, entered the abdominal
cavity AMI was not s.ri.r.s-
Before giving him c..l"r..forn: ar effort
was made tn set him tn give az accot;ns
OF the shooting. or at tense the names OF
the :cen. as tie 5.smi;v apparently know
nothing. aud tae p,>:i-e were ut SEA as I'd
how TO proceed. Sir. Dil.af.i sail he .iiff
thought he would rcrn'i t!;s., HrE.s II ss
were to hear it. The Messick Co. ~al
then suggested, and he said he thought
that was It
Book-Keeper Ont Scouting.
The aookkceper o: the Mcsslc:s c.mrnnS
appeared on the scene sa.rtiy ARA ard
tried to get sor,c Particulars. He said b
f.arcd Ii was cestrin ::1e:n.,er 81 aft
Ii-ul. but would not give his t.;a:-ie or ac
dress. or thct OF any Of tile firm. lie die
appeared before the police founi. o., shs
ne was.
the man Cox, VINO formerly owned tho
store. could not be found In ;:..e ely
Yesterday He owes many bills.
The question has arisen as TO whether
billiard is partner Of CoN's. or hos
billiard been sw,ndIed and is ls ignnr-
ant as he seems? The family OK SIR Dill
lard appear non-conaniirtal. Thers may
be another story back OF the whole a :ttiT-
It was reported in the city yesterday
that Cox had left town and also that the
a. F. Messck Company was pushing
him for payment.