Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-01-11
Body of Well Known Clerk and
Citizen Found Dead i'm
Branch Near His Home.

oh iasI oaIuIuay morning about 10
o'clock, the body lying in Plum Creek.
The burial took place on Monday
morning last, from his home, I'm the
midst OF such concourse OF people
as this county never Witnessed before,
on a similar occasion. There were
perhaps, thousand peo pie present
The yards and fields were thick with
vehicles, horses, and people on foot
a striking testimony TO the popularity
OF the lamented Ed. George. Negroes
and whites. rich and poor, all mingled
their tears and Sorrows over the bier of
their friend.
Rev. Mr.. Patty, pastor OF the Meth
odist church in the community, of
which the deceased and his family were
attendants, conducted the service.
Rev. Mr.. Maiden, presiding elder, as
sisted. The remarks OF the preacher
were brief and appropriate. Among
other things he said: al have never
known "A fault In this man."
The great throng bowed their heads
and sobbed.
After the service the casl5et was
placed on the lawn, and the crowds
were allowed 10 look for the last time
on the face OF their TREND. They fled
by, in regular order. and took last
look into the Face OF the dead clerk,
their friend OF years. The remains
were land away in the family cemetery.
The grave was literally covered with
flowers.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH.
Mr.. George left town on Friday af-
ternoon, about 5:30 o'clock, for his
home, on horseback, as had been his
custom for years. About mile west
OF town he turned Off the public road
into the road leading to his home. At
this point he met Buck" Blackwell
and talked with him, arranging with
him TO have some fruit trees set out,
telling Blackwell to come on over
Thursday OF next (this) week. From
this point TO his home is about one
mile, with two residences Intervening,
and close to the road. He rode on TO
his home, but instead OF turning into
the lane through gate, which led
down to the house, he seems TO have
h.. q
one-fourth Of a mile beyond his house.
Here pool Of blood was found in the
road. Back, the same way he had
gone, about 40 feet, was another pool
Of blood. 1t looks as though this
cash in his throat was made at the
first or farthest point in the road. He
retraced his steps. as indicated above.
strewing blood on the way. Here he
seems to have lain down, a large pool
OF blood being in the road at this point
Then he went about 80 feet to the
Greek Plumb Creek, and on the bank
was another pool OF blood. Here he
seems to have entered the creek. On
the bank below was found a pencil and
paper, key, and the handle of his
ink eraser covered with blood. Just
below was the body lying in the water.
Near the body was found small bot
tie, containing a. small quantity OF
brandy, securely corked.
Near the body, In the water, was
found one side OF his bride rein, which
had been Gu; from the bride, and q
moose made OF it. His horse was
grazing nearby. The body was found
by colored man about 1G o'clock
Saturday morning. An inquest was
held, which, after several sittings,
found that deceased came to his death
by means unknown TO them. There
was and is still, strong belief that Mr..
DGeorge was murdered. A large num-
Der Of the people believe that it was a
case OF suicide. This theory is diff
cult TO believe and explain. No reason
IN the world can be assigned, except
temporary insanity, why he should
have committed such an act His do
mestic and business life was as happy
and safisfacforv as ANY mana Hfa