The Washington herald., 1907-06-06
mail CARRIER KILLS
George c. Fairfax Shoots
Issac f. woodward.
QUARREL ABOUT PRIMARIES
Insignificant Dispute
Over Where Polls should BE LO-
Tragedy at FHrr POst-OfIice, Va.
Sheriff Captures Accused.
Special to The Washington Herald.

Special 10 The Washington Herald.
Fairfax, Va, June 5-Isaac Frank
Woodyard, a merchant, was instantly
killed and J T, Fairfax. a farmer, barely
escaped similar fate at Farr Post-office.
near Clifton. Fairfax County, late yes
terday afternoon. when George c. Fair
fax, a mail carrier, terrorized the village
by running amuck with a shotgun. lie
fred once at Woodyard az close range,
and then made a frantic effort 10 shoot
Fairfax, his brother-in-law. Three shots
were fired at the latter, but none took
effect.
Immediately after the shooting Fairfax
made "A dash for the woods Although
Sheriff Allison, accompanied by several
deputies. was soon on his trail, the fugl-
tive eluded the officers until early this
evening. He was then captured not far
for the village. and was at once taken
10 Fairfax Court House. where he was
lodged in jail II is probable that he Will
he given a hearing on the charge Of muir
der before Justice OF the Peace r. r..
Farr Friday morning Commonwealth 5
Attorney c. Vernon Ford, will conduct
| the prosecution.
Dispute Over Polls.
II IS said that the trouble followed A
dispute as TO where the polls for the
coming Democratic primary should be To-
Gated After il had been decided 10 hold
the voting at Richardson's store. against
/ the protest OF Fairfax. he left the party
/ in a sullen humor. Fairfax went at once
4 TO his home, about half-mile away
where he armed himself with a breech-
! loading shotgun When he returned 10
the village, Fairfax pushed on back in
/ the room 20 a point I'm front of Wood
/ yard, who was standing behind the coun-
/ ter. AS the merchant looked around.
I Fairfax placed the weapon close to his
breast and fired. The charge entered just
above the heart, woodward falling dead
I In hts tracks.
Coroner James w. Taylor this morning
summoned Il corouer's jury and conducted
/ an inquest over the remains OF Wood
yard. The verdict was that he came to his
/ death by ii guushoJ wound inflicted bv
Fairfax. The members Of the jury were
/ +. B. Richardson Marcus Richardson, Mr..
/ Hensberger, Harvey Cross. Wilson Farr,
and Rein Farr.
I Mr. woodward was about foTty-fve
/ years Of age. He resided with his family.
consisting Of his wife and two children.
/ at Farr P0st-cfice SO far as IS known.
/ he had never had any trouble with Fair
/ fax before the dispute over the voting
place. which was so trivial that no one
/ attached any Importance 10 10 al the time.
Accused's Mind Impaired.
/ II is said that Fairfaxs mind has been
| impaired for some time and fl is be-
/ lieved by his friends that he was insane
when he did the shooting Before leaving
/ his house on the eve Of the tragedy. II is
/ said, he declared that DE intended 20 kin
! two people and then 10 take his own life.
/ A few months ago. 10 is said. ne made an
/ effort 10 hang himself. but was disc0v-
/ cred I'm the act by his wife. who thwarted
/ his designs. In addition % his wife he
has a family 0f sew. J children. Some
time ago he was given the contract for
/ carrying the mail between Fairfax Court
/ House and Farr post-office. bat it is said
/ that most Of he work was done by his
wife He is q son Of E. s Fairfax.