The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-18
Especial to The Messenger

Pollocksville, n. c., September A
The jury of inquest over the body of
Mr.. F. G. Simmons find evidences justi-
flying the arrest of Alfred Daniels, alias
Moses Harding and a negro of very
desperate character and suspicion rests
on another negro who is in hiding.
The officers are in search of him.
STORY OF THE MURDER.
Pollocksville, N. c., September IA
Mr.. F. G. Simmons, father of Hon. +.
NJ. Simmons, United States senator,
was murdered last Saturday on his
premises four miles from here by some
one who was ~trespassing on his land
shooting squirrels. His land has been
posted for years n he has strictly
enforced his rights as to protecting the
game on his place. Last Friday morn
ing he heard shooting on his land nea
the Drake bridge along Trent river and
he went in search of the t~respasser
whom he found in a thick underground,
but could not tell the color of the man.
He hailed him but got no answer.
Finally the t~respasser made his ecape
Mr.. Simmons went home and told the
circumstances to a neighbor, so hat
LIN Ii1ONNS ~ IiAok NoSs VA DoH
urday morning following, he again
heard shooting and went in search of
the ~trespasser. Later a shot was heard,
about 9 O'Clock, by one of MI. Sim
mons tenants, whose yard he passed
through on his way to the woods. Some
one was heard to cry out in a distress
ing way, but nothing was thought of it,
until late in the evening when Mr.. Sim
mons could not be found, either at
home nor at ~Pollocksville, where he
was to go in the evening to sell some
cotton for his tenants. Search was at
once instituted late in the evening, but
he was not found Again Sunday norm
ing a large crowd Of Searchers filled
the woods and very soon his dead body
was found about 100 yards from the
road. He had been shot by some one
with No. 4 shot in the stomach, chest
and neck. Altogether he was struck with
Is shot. 1t is supposed he lived several
hours before death occurred as he had
opened his shirt, apparently examining
his wounds.
One negro man has been arrested on
suspicion and is now in Trenton Jail,
other arrests may be made later on as
more evidence develops. This commu-
nifty is very greatly excited over this
d~astardly act.
REGRET IN GOLDSBORO OVER THE
MURDER.
Goldsboro, N. c., September 1.-THE
relatives and friends of Senator Sim
mons in this city have learned with
much regret of the killing of his vener-
able father near his home in Jones
county last Friday afternoon. The
old gentleman had been to Pollocksville
to sell cotton that day n was on his
way back home with the money he had
received for his cotton in his pocket.
When within a short distance of his
home he was shot at twice from am
bush, one load of shot taking effect in
the head n the other in the abdomen.
The murderer then used the butt end
of the gun on h e of the dying
man. His money had been taken from
his pockets. A negro tenant on the
plantation has been arrested and is now
in jail.
The negro had been accused of steal
ing cotton from Mr.. Simmons and had
been forbidden to. hunt on the planta-
ton, which he had persisted in doing.
1t is thought that the negro had to two
fold object in view in committing the
murder-robbery and revenge. Mr..
Simmons was well known and highly
respected by everybody in the county.
Goldsboro, n. c. September IA
Mr.. F. G. Simmons, father Of Sena-
tor F. VI. Simmons, was murdered in
a dense forest on his plantation Satur-
day morning. The crime was commit
ted On the bank Of Trent river and he
was found with his face downward
about 8 o'clock Sunday. A negro nam
ed Alfred Daniels has been arrested
and jailed at Trenton. Court is in ses-
sion and it is probable that he will
have a speedy trial The officers are
in search of another negro, named King,
who is suspected of completely.
Mr.. Simmons heard some one shooting
in his woods early Saturday morning
and went to the scene to warn the in
truders away. He took his gun. While
he was absent a shot was heard which
1t is thought ended his life. He intend
ed going 70 Pollocksville that day to
sell cotton and as he did not return
home it was thought that he had gone
TO P~ollocksville. When he did not re-
turn home at the proper time a man
was sent to hunt him. a searching
party was instituted which looked
everywhere that day and on Sunday
morning the party found his boy near
the banks of Trent river.
The funeral was held today from the
home and was attended by hundreds Of
people. who had learned Of the tragedy.
Railroad Carmen.