The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-24
TREMENDOUS !.
SENSATION.
CONTINUED From FIRST PaEe.)

l5t NaeAl gett tls5 -
Continued From First Pase.) I
but on account OF his social standing, MA
age sid previous relations toward the
family, 1t was generally considered pres.
posterous to accuse him Of such d hor.
rible crime as that Of burning ana rob-
bling In tho dead OF night the residence
of his father. SO persistent reports soon
spread throughout this entire section to
the effect that Charlie Forbes was mur.i
tered OH the night Of the fire, and his
body disposed of IN some manner. Some
contcnded that there was the very best
Of evidence that his body was destroyed
and the remains buried In the grave OF
his aged father, who died from exposure
and excitement accustomed by the fire. s
Forbes Alive. 5l
But many OF these rumors were set at
rest when two young men, who were
standing civil service examination ut
West Apponiattox on Saturday. saw
Charlie Forbes alight from n Norfolk and
sWester train hire n. team and drive off
towards Buckingham. They followed
upon his trail and traced him to the
road leading to the house OF Mr.. H. G.
Woodbridge. who Is one of the nearest
neighbors OF the late John Forbes This
Immediately aroused the most intense ex-}
element among all those who were in
any way concerned with the case. For
some time, 1t Is said, MIR. Woodbridge
has been suspected of tho crime. Shortly
after the burning, he was one Of the
prominent men In undertaking to ferret
out the mystery, Large rewards were Of
fered for the capture Of the miscreants
by the Governor Of the State. the county
OF Buckingham and by private citizens.
Mr.. Woodbridge took an active part In
securing these offers Of reward Two
detectives, who were employed to work
up the case. had their headquarters at
his house. But finally the finger Of sus-E
picion began to point toward him and
there have been persistent rumors that
he would shortly be arrested as an ac-#
colnplice. E
The arrival Of Charlie Forbes and his
visit In the night to Mr.. Wooldridge.s
house, have caused the arrest of both, 4
their respective warrants charging each 4
with the commission Of the crime.
Mr.. Woodbridge Is, rs stated, one OF the
best known citizens Of the county. He
has always taken an active part In poll
tics. and has for a number of years been
a Judge Of elections at the New Store
Precinct. He is school trustee for
Francisco District Of Buckingham coln-
ty. and has made an excellent record for
sound Judgment and common sense In all
school matters. He has an acute mind,
and Is q fine conversationalst. and while
he has many political enemies, he has
also many friends who expect him to
be cleared Of all suspicion of the crime
Young Charlie Forbes is man Of
splendid physique and good appearance.
He Is OF retiring disposition, and was
not we'll known outside Of his Immediate
nelghborhood.
The Burning.
The robbery and burning Of the Forbes
home has been told repeatedly In the
press reports. 1t was ono OF the most
tdastardly crimes ever committed In this
section of the State. In the dead OF
night, on March Sd, the fne old DWELL
Ing and ten or twelve outhouses were
set on fire simultaneously by the In
cendiaries. and the venerable father OF
the household John Forbes. and his
young daughter, who were alone In the |
house. barely escaped with their lives.
rofn~o leaving tne house, howsrer, they |
.sseertaired that the house had been
systematically robbed of all the money
and valuable papers about the premices.
Later, Mr.. John Forbes died from shock
and exposure
The case has caused Intense excitemelt
all through this section. and its latest
developments, with all the many coms-o
cations, promise a case worthy OF the
crea ton OF the fertile brain of q Conan
Doyle or a Wikie Collins.
1t has not been feared here up to the
time OF this writing whether or not
Charlie Forbes has been captured. 1t was
said yesterday that he would leave I'M
medately; but kilograms We're sent all |
along the Norfolk and Western Railroad,
from Farmvile to Lynchburg, and along
the Chesapeake and Ohio, ordering his
immediate arrest upon appearance.
The trial of the suspected parties VIII
take place within the next few days.
and it is expected that great crowds VIII
be In attendance. so great is the excite
ment and so Widespread the reports OF
the case.
Ar1nnn1