The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-19
A MYSTERIOUS
WOMAN IN BLACK
Nay Be Charged With Murder Of
an Infant.
OFFICERS LOOKING FOR HER
willie Patterson Said to Be in Fulton
and Constable Samuel is Again on
His Trail-sarn Destroyed by
Fire-News from Henrico.
OFFICERS LOOKING FOR HER

Tho authorities in Henrlco county have
instituted a rigorous search for tht
whereabouts of a mysterious woman IL
biuck. who, IL she can be located. may
be charged with the murder OF her ln-
Kant child.
On the morning of the 18th of August
last Tuesday-thrce men walking along
a country road just below chimborazo
lark ran across the remains of an in
ika, white child. They turned the Ittie
BODY over to the officers. and that after
Rom an inques, was held by Squire
George X. Tnomas The only conclusion
mat could be reached with the evidence
then In hand was that the infant had
died from neglect and exposure
since that time Squire Thomas mas
pursued a quiet investigation and mas
gone SO far as 10 get two or three per-
sons to work on the case. de sad yes
ter1ay afternoon THAT he intehded 10
push the matter vigorously ana 10 get d.
the bottom Of it if possible. ALREADY ne
b.d dt,ve,oned onelor two important
cIiIes. IT has been learned that the bodE
of the child was deposited in the road
early in 1.-THE morning of the 18th by
white woman who is supposed to be lts
mother. The woman had on white shirt
waist. but everything else she wore was
black, She wore I, black crepe dress and
q heavy black crepe Vel concealed hef
features She departed as soon as shc
had accomplished her purpose and has
not be n seen since
n has also been learned that the infant
was dead when placed in the road. This,
of course, invaidates the theory OF
death by exposure, but it may lead TO
the charge Of murder. The child may
+. III then IN 1he
road. On the other hand, it is true, It
.at1lai death.
The officers, however, are giving no
time to these perplexing questions. They
will make every effort to locate the
woman, and if they succeed in catchlns
up with her, will then decide about the
charge Itymay be that OF a misdemeanor
or II may be that of murder or infanti-
eide.
Constable Cyclone Samuel is again hot
on the trail Of Willie Patterson, the
young white man charged with commit
ting or attempting to commit criminal
assault upon Miss Crittenden, the daugh-
ter of well-known farmer of Henrico
1t will be recalled That Patterson
skipped from the county and up to this
time has eluded all efforts to capture
possession of information which leads
him to believe that the young man is In
Fulton or near-abouts and has in fact
recently been in the neighborhood of the
courthouse itself. He is said to be in
rather forlorn condition, having been
unable to secure work at several places
where he sought employment.
1t is the purpose of the Constable to
get to worl, on Willie again as soon as
possible. He will make every effort to
land him this time.
One OF the largest barns at Sum
merdeane,'' the country place of Mr.. w.
NJ Parrish, about three miles from the
city on Bethlehem road, was destroyed
by fire late Sunday afternoon. The
number of farming implements, all OF
which was lost.
The origin of the fire Is not known
The barn had been closed and so far as
any one knew had not been entered dur
ing the day. It was a short while be-
fore six O'Clock when the blaze was first
discovered and was then burning so
rapidly that any effort to save the barn
was useless With the greatest difficulty
other buildings near the burning barn
were saved.
There was carried $500 insurance on
barn and implements, which will little
more than half cover the loss.
Mr.. j. l.. Martin. who lives in Henrico
county, about eight miles from this city,
met with an exceedingly painful accident
Saturday afternoon about o'clock on
Rroad-Street between First and Second.
where he was engaged in shopping.
He was getting into his wagon With
some bundles when the horse became
frightened by the street cars and ran
or. throwing him beneath the wheels,
which passed over the small of his back,
spraining it severely. His right shoul-
der was also sprained and a cash three
inches long cut in his head
DIR. w. Armistead ellis was hastily sum-
tfiloned. DR.. ellis sewed up the cash in
Ii. head and treated his other injuries,
after which he was removed TO his home
IN tho county.
'.Bloodficld was heard from yesterday
morning, there being warrants and coun-
ter warrants among the citizens of that
locality, before the Henrico Justice In
the case Of C. w. Wyatt. for assaulting
Phil Hail. Wyatt was dismissed. On the
counter warrant against p. +. Hall. for
abusing c. w. Wyatt, Mrs. Hall was
was fined s. and costs. Clinton Stokes,
charged with assaulting James Collier.
gave bond of $500 TO keep the peace for
twelve months.
Clinton Stokes. charged with assault