The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-25
MR.. WOOD DEALT BLOW;
TORCH SET TO HIS BODY
Evidently Work Of Thieves, Who
Pour Kerosene Over the
Floor and on Clothing Of
Their Victim, Who
Is Left to Be
Cremated.
Especial to The Times Dispatch.

Nb young merchant. at Nutbush.
on the virginian Railway, a
few miles from here, was
murdered in his store last night and
his body, the clothing on which was
saturated with kerosene, was left to
be cremated in the building to which
the torch was applied.
1t was only BY the determined ef-
forts of the young mans father. who.
not deferred by the flames roaring
around him. dragged the lfeless body
out of the fire, which had already
Burned nearly all of his clothing. Care
full investigation leads to the belief
that one Or more burglars entered the
store for the purpose OF robbery, and
finding the proprietor there. and yet
asleep, Drained him with an AK. and
after taking what they wanted. pour
ed several gallons of oil over his body
departed.
Friends Had Just Left.
The series of crimes occurred short
ly before ] O'Clock last night. but the
news was rot brought here until this
morning. The store is only situated
q few hundred yards from the dwell.
Ing of Mr.. and Mr.. j. NJ. Wood. and
last night several of the foremen of
the track-,aying force were with Mr..
Wood and spent several hours in a
social game of cards, leaving about 10
| O'clock Thirty minutes later they
saw from their cars, stationed only a
short distance from the store. that
the building was on fire. They hurried
to the scene and also notified Mr..
Wood. Sr.. who likewise ran to the
building. An AK was found just on
the outside. and without attempting
to open ;hs door with their hands. a
blow from the ak forced the door open.
A cup used for oil was fourd near
| the door on the inside, and the oil
tank. which contained about five gall
lens Of oil. was empty and the entire
building inside was afre. The odor
of oil was SO strong that there Seem
ed no doubt but that the entire con-
tents of The barrel had been poured
on the floor and the building fired. at
ter the persons. undoubtedly bent on
robbery. mad feled their victim with
the ak found on the outside. and taken
what they wanted and departed
Find His Body.
AS soon as the door was opened the
body body OF young Wood was located in
made his way through the centre of
the building to the spot where the
body lay, and at great risk pulled 1t
from the fire. Life was already ex-
ltinct. hurried examination indicated
that the young man had not retired, as
some portions of his clothing We're not
burnt off. and he was found In the
rear end of the building. where ho
usually kept his gun, and his gun was
located on his bed near the front of the
building. The top of his head was
crushed He was taken to the home.
where his mother and father are grief
stricken.
An examination of the body to-day
ed from the blow with the ak, and
that one arm had been broken, 1t is
supposed that the arm was held up in
Iself-defense when broken.
Had Been RobUed Before.
Mr.. Wood had only conducted busf-
ness for the past two years. and since
he commenced his store had been enter
ed on two occasions before and robbed
OF good sums of money. as we'll as
goods, During. one of these former
robberies an attempt was made to fire
the building while Mr.. Wood was at
supper. For this reason he decided
to remain In the store at night. SO far
as known Mr.. Wood had no enemies.
An inquest was held this afternoon
and the verdict returned was that Mr..
Wood came to his death at the hands
o, OF some person or persons unknown
mere is no suspicion attached to any
one: but vigorous efforts will be made
Justice.
Alr. Wood was only about twenty.one
years of age, being one OF tho most
popular young men In this section. He
graduated from Massey's Business Col
ieSe only few years ago, and since
mas made his home In Richmond, and
was employed by the Lunenbure IlIm-
Der Company up to the time he opened
business near here for himself.