Evening star., 1902-05-05
MURDER DEVELOPED
Body of William Smith Found
in Woods.
MISSING OVER A WEEK
DETECTIVES MAKING AN INVES-
TIGATIoN OF THE AFFAIR.
No Motive Known Upon Which to Base
a Clue-Arrests May
Be Made.
MISSING OVER A WEEK

That William Smith came to his death
by violence at the hands of some person
or persons unknown to the jury was the
verdict rendered yesterday morning by
jury of inquest at Occoquan station, Prince
William county, Va. While the jurors were
unable from the testimony to fix the crime
upon any particular person or persons, some
colored people are suspected of having muir
dered the man. 1t is probable that some
arrests will be made tomorrow. Detective
James A. McDevitt of this city will then
be upon the scene with States Attorney
Thornton, who will go from the county
seat at Manassas and meet him.
Mr.. George w. Smith, a son of the victim,
is in the employ of the Southern railway
at Burke station. Another son, Walter M.
Smith, is night telegraph operator at Occo-
guam station on the Alexandria, Fredericks-
burg and Richmond railroad.
The former is taking an active part in the
investigation of the case. He came here
this morning and consulted Detective Nc
Dewitt who sent detective to the scene
of the murder yesterday to make an inves-
tigation. The affair caused some excitement
in Prince William and Fairfax counties and
violence at the hands of mob is feared.
Before leaving home Mr. G. w. Smith
requested that no arrests be made until Ie
returns tonight or until Detective McDeVItt
and States Attorney Thornton reach there
tomorrow and have time to make an inVes-
tigation. He also requested, in the event
of any arrests being made, that the people
allow the law to take its course.
Mr.. Smith, whose life was taken, was
siXtv-three3 years old and was we'll known
in the county. He owned property near
Occoquan station. One week ago yester-
day he left home, about $3.50 o'clock in the
morning, and started for a walk across the
country, intending to visit friends, as he
had been in the habit of doing.
His Friends Alarmed.
When he failed to return home Sunday
night his son became alarmed and inquiries
We're made throughout the county for the
missing man Two days elapsed and moth
ing was heard concerning his whereabouts,
and his son then sent message to this
city asking the police to assist in the mat
ter A description of Mr.. Smith was sent to
the several precincts. Saturday the miss
ing mans body was found near the forks
of two roads about three miles west of
where the victim had lived. Mr.. Edwin
Cockerill discovered the body in the woods
about 20O feet from the road. He had ex-
perienced some trouble with his horse while
on his way home from the fishing shore,
the animal suddenly stopping and refusing
to go beyond certain point. Mr.. Cockeril
used persuasion and other measures, but
the animal held its ground.
Finally Mr.. Cockerill tied the horse to the
fence and went out to make an investiga-
ton. Failing to discover anything wrong
he returned to his team and made another
effort to urge his horse ahead. The animal
still refused to move and a second effort
the part of Mr.. Cockeri1f to discover
the cause of the animals strange conduct
resulted in the finding of the body. Mr.
Smiths long beard and hair had disap-
peared, and the head was in an advanced
stage of decomposition.
Coroner's Jury Summoned.
A son of the murdered man was advised
of the discovery, and Robert Powell, the
coroner, was notified. The latter held an
inquest yesterday morning, Edward Lynn,
Mahlen Haislip, b. w. Horner, w. F. Lee,
Rufus Davis and Robert Haislip serving
as Jurors. DR.. Lambert, who performed
the autopsy. reported that the victim had
received a severe injury to his right side,
which caused paralysis of the heart. The
jury reached the conclusion that the eld-
erly man was a victim Of foul play and
rendered a verdict accordingly.
Easily Identified.
Although the body was In an advanced
stage of decomposition identification was
easy. From the evidence it appeared that
the unfortunate man had been slain by
means of some blunt instrument. There
was a confused wound just over the heart
and another wound on the right side. Two
of his ribs We're broken. 1t was believed
that Mr. Smith had received the blows in
attempting to defend himself against his
assailant. 1t was believed that the assail-
ants. after committing the murder, had
carried his body to the woods and covered
1t up.
The friends and relatives of Mr.. Smith
know of no motive for his murder. He had
lived In the neighborhood most of his life,
was well and favorably known among the
farmers Of that section, and, far as his
friends knew. did not possess an enemy in
the world. Since the death of his wife two
years ago he had lived with his son. Mr.
Walter Smith.
Funeral services over the remains were
held yesterday afternoon from his late
home. Mr. Tyson Janney of Occoquan
conducted the services. and the interfnent
was made in burying ground near the
station.