Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-04-28
NO SIGN OF GRIEF IN MOTHtR
When Neighhors Entered Room She
!. Picked Up Nude Body of Dead Son
and Threw 1t on Bed as If it Had
Been Dcs-Father sklps> Gu. to
New York City.
Especial to the Daily Press,

MANCHESTER, VA, April 81
The coroner's jury in the case Of the
six-yearold child Ralph Smith, who
was found dead last night in his moth
cr's room, in their home. in Manches.
Ter. brought In verdict today 10 the
elect that the hoy had died of beating.
1t charges the mother with the killing
of tho child. and the father with being
accessory TO tic murder.
This afternoon Conmonwealth's-At-
torney Page swore out warrants
against both parents. The mother
Mrs. Shepard K. Smith, is imprison-
ed in the city jail of Manchester, the
fathers whereabouts are unknown
Els telegram was received this morn
Ing which pnrportcd To be from the
father in New York and detectives
will trace him. II possible. from, the
Western uninn Office whcro 1t was
fled
i After an autopsy. Coroner Broadnax.
of Manchester, definitely reported 10
+ commemorative Attorney Pagea this
morning. TINT the child died as the re.
. suit of shock caused by the beutlngs
that had been given him.
After hearing three witnesses In the
coroner's inquest, held in nr. Broad:
naxs Office. the murder of the child
with which crime the mother will lie
Charged. promises to he n tragedy with
more revolving details than any that
las occurred in this part of the coun.
try IN the memory of many living to.
dav.
The child was killed by degrees by
he slow and torturcus death of hui
man being under the lash constantly.
After day of high carnival with the
whip or the bluigeons. with the nm
gers and the fists, he mother allowed
the child TO escape for few moments
from the house.
Like a Wounded Bird. e.
Frank Turner full.grown man and
the father of II family. saw the child
creeping against the fence in the yard,
seemingly unable TO, stand. tlnttering
la the fresh air OF the afternoon like
poor. bruised and beaten bird. Tmr.
ner WINS i'll. but the shock of this nor.
trlblc affair has put him to bed and The
coroner's jury will visit him near the
scene of the awful deed and get his
evidence If what remains of his nerves
Will permit of It, His wife is said to
he almost as great nervous wreck rs
her husband and was unable to attend
the inquest this morning. Their little
q son, Lynwood Turner. 10 years old. a
playmate of The dead child. told his
part of the story to the jury this morn.
Ing nm awful taie-and with sohs and
tears with every words e
III lie mother was seen In the city Jail
this morning by u reporter. She is n
strengthening creature. about 81
years Old woman with "a cruel
mouth and face that suggests intel.
alect. One instinctivcly feels TINT sic
has 2 mind and docs not think any
thing Of her having heart. She was
very emotional and yet keen of wit.
She bordered on the theatrical. She
e,,IE..as melodramatic In the sense that We
now. use that word.
Telegram From Husband.
Size was minded a telegram from
her husband who left he city sudden.
3 ly Yesterday She read IT carefully. It
told her that he was in New York
Il on business and would return next
Tuesday.
May ] keep it?" she asked Of the
taller. bit tho iailcr retained 1T for
some cause. 1T is only word" she
sail with n fearful voice. A.
X st Is needless for me to say that
am innocent ut any wrong" she said,
rising to her feet and putting a llaGfl
! upon her breast. She was choking
With terrible emotion and staggered 10
the mantel over theS fireplace in the
Il iailor's room. 81 III n +. ss
s.Ycp had better help her" suggest,
ed the repo. ter. Il e.
IN she satpe,l. Twill help my.