Evening star., 1902-07-30

DdTu ne ndu MANY people III tne
county frightened. and his sentence to pris-
on came in the nature of a relief to them.
Some trouble was experienced in fastening
the crime upon him and causing his arrest
at that time. A detective from Washing
ton, IL is stated, worked up the case and
arrested him. He came here. blackened his
| face and associated with Craven One night
when he asked to be permitted to stay at
Craven's house his request was denied, but
! the detective gained his confidence by tell
ing him he had done something for which
he was wanted and he was anxious to hide
from the officers. Then Craven gave the
information that he, too, had committed
a crime and told of the burning of Mr..
Smiths barn
AS already stated, Mr. Wilson paid no
attention to the threat made by Craven,
and when he left Herndon Monday morn
ing he had no thought of being waylaid
on the road There was no witness to the
tragedy so far as the county officers have
been able to ascertain. Mr.. Wilson was
unquestionably In his wagon when he re-
ceived bullet wound in the upper part
of his right leg. What followed the dis
charge Of the weapon only be surmised
Bloodprints on the road indicated that he
probably got off the wagon to follow his
assailant; that he then turned and started
toward his team, but the horses had gone
so far that he could not oyertake them
Inc horses continued until they reached
the nome of their owner. People living In
tne nelghborhood where the tragedy was
enacted heard the report of the weapon
Dut paid no attention to it. thinking It
had been fired by hunter
Mr.. George Osgood of Washington and
ms MS two sisters were the first to come along
the road after the crime had been commit
ted Lying on the dusty road fast bleed
ing to death was the form of Mr. Wilson
Blood-stained clothing and the stains on
the road bore evidence of what had trans
pired only short time before. Had they
not stopped at the cemetery for few
minutes they may have reached the dying
man In time to save his life. But
he had lost consciousness, and there was
but little blood left in his body
MIR. Osgood remained with him while his
sisters returned to Herndon and summoned
Dr. DetWeiler. The doctor arrived in a
few minutes, but too late to be of any
service, for in short time the victim Of
the assassin's bullet breathed his last An
autopsy performed by DR.. Detweiler show
ed that an artery had been severed and
that the victim bled to death.
Was Immediately Suspected.
Suspicion pointed toward Craven as the
man who had fired the shot. He had been
seen on the road a short time before Mr.
Wilson reached the place where he was
murdered. and it was known he had threat
ened to kill Mr.. Wilson. Then, too he
was conspicuously absent. No time was
lost by those interested In the case in
reaching the conclusion that Charles Cra-
Ven had committed the deed. His appre-
hensiOn and swift punishment were then to
be desired, and every man about this sec
ton expressed a willingness to play the
part of detective. The best description of
him that could be obtained was sent over
the telephone line in all directions. and
long before sundoWn several posses had
been summoned and the search begun.
Mr.. John r. Hutchinson, wealthy resi-
dent OF the upper end of the county, was
the first citizen to see Craven after news
of the crime had been circulated. He was
on the pike between Broad run and Goose
creek when Craven, who was going toward
Sterling. asked that he be permitted to en-
ter the vehicle and ride with him.
MIR. Hutchinson refused his request and
stopped at a store on the road to borrow a
gun. His request was denied, and after
some delay he managed to get Winchester
rifle Going in search of Craven he got
sight of the colored man, and the latter
also saw him. Then the fugitive darted into
the woods. and the several bullets sent
from the rifle failed to hit him.
1t was learned yesterday morning that
Craven spent the night with some colored
friends near Sterling. and made an early
start in the direction Of the river, prob
ably intending to go as far as Washington
or to cross the Potomac at the Chain bridge
and make his way through Maryland.
Early in the day 1t was reported that he
had crossed the river on the Seneca dam,
but this report proved to be without foun-
dation, for he appeared during the after
noon in the woods not more than one mile
from Dranesville. Mr. Aud and Mr.. Fill
ingame saw him. and fired several shots at
him. but without effect. On his way from
Sterling this morning Craven is reported
to have stopped on the farm Of Mr.. Smith,
where he burned the barn three years ago
and MIXED cow, using the milk to sat
iSfy his hunger. Craven was pursued from
place to place yesterday, and was fired
upon several times. but he did not return
the fire, although the authorities have in
formation that he is heavily armed. Last
night the sheriffs of the two counties and
their deputies, with a number Of citizens
who had been deputized, met at the hotel
at DraneSville to discuss the crime and
hna 30
Suffolk. Va.
Rewards Offered.
Residents of the county cannot recall any
similar crime committed here in many
years. and 1t is the desire of the people that
lesson severe enough to accomplish good
shall be taught. A reward of S125 was Of
Tered yesterday morning for the arrest Of
the murderer, and in the afternoon an ad-
ditional 500 was added to this amount
Several colored men assisted yesterday af-
ternoon and last night in the search for
Craven and one Of them received some
harsh treatment at the hands of coored
women whose house he attempted to
search.
A force of armed men spent Yesterday
afternoon along the river in the vicinity of
Seneca and Muddy branch. the residents of
Montgomery county on the Maryland side
OF the river taking an active interest in the
search.
A strange colored man was placed under
arrest yesterday afternoon because Of the
interest he displayed in the investigation
He loitered about where number of men
were discussing the means to be employed
to arrest Craven, and when he had heard
about the plans for sending for the dogs
he started away. Sheriff Gordon decided to
detain him, as he believed he would COM
municate with Craven. He was held only
a short time.
1t was reported last night that Craven |
had dropped one of his socks when he was
closely pressed, and Sheriff Gordon Is en- |
oeaVoring to obtain possession of it. At
times the fugitive wears his shoes, while at |
other times he has been seen barefooted |
This conduct gives the impression that he |
has heard of the move to put bloodhounds |
on his trail and thinks that by changing |
about in this way he will be able to render |
the use of the dogs of value. The sheriff |
has advised those engaged in the search |
to refrain from the of violence in the |
event of the apprehension of Craven, but he |
fears that punishment swift and sure will |
be meted out before the accused man |
reaches the jail.
AS an officer of the law" he stated to a |
Star reporter. II will do my whole duty In |
the case. First of all L will use every effort |
10 cause the apprehension Of the murderer |
and will then do my best to protect him."