Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-05-25
Negro Confesses to Awful
Crime. But Investigation
Shows Decapitation and
Mutilated Body to be a
Dog.
In IS MISSING, HOWEVER
James Hines, of Abingdon,
Was Thought to Have
Met Foul Play

ddachburg, Va. May 25.-The ne
sro Robert Moore, who is charged
with the murder OF James Hines, a
1s-year-old son OF II. A. Hines, OF
here. Sheriff W. R. Fleelor, OF
Washington county. when he realiz-
cd that the indignation OF the people
OF Abingdon might lead to violence,
left that town late Friday night with
the prisoner In a buggy. and drove
TO Meadow View station, on the Nor
folk and Western railroad, where
they boarded q train for this city,
arriving here Saturday afternoon.
Moore Is reported to have made a
full confession OF the murder of
young Hines whose decapitated body
was found near Freezing. In Dickin-
son county. last week. Since his ar
rival here he Is said to have stated
that another negro who was with
him killed young Hines.
Yesterday he said that he knew
nothins about the murder and was
entirely innocent. and that the rea-
son he made the first statemet was
that he was scared by being told
that II he did not confess a mob
would hang him.
Moore said that he had been din
Ing room servant for Mr.. James l..
White, and that he was 81 years
OF age. He said that some weeks
ago he and young Hines went by
train to Columbus, Ohio. IN that city
he claims to have parted with Hines,
who, he sayS, went of with two
white men, saying that they were
going to Seattle, and from there to
Canada. Moore says he then re-
turned home, and admitted having
stolen two horses in Washington
county.
A telegram from Abingdon dated
yesterday saids
VIII Smith, the negro boy who
Bob Moore accused OF being his help
er In the murder OF young James
Hines. OF this place, was captured
near Glade Spring Saturday night by
Ofheer Walden, OF Abin gdon.
James Hines, the dead boy, left
his home on the morning OF April
9Th for parts unknown, but It has
developed later that he left with
Bob Moore, and went to Freezing,
Va, where he was killed. Moore
was captured here on the charge
OF stealing horses, and when asked
~ to whore Hines was, finally con-
fessed TO the horrible murder.
He said that Hines. himself and
smother negro, Will Smith, camped
near Freezing one night, and know
Ing that Hines had money on his
person, planned TO kill and rob him.
A@Foore, IL is said, held the boy while
xhe other negro committed the aw-
ful deed. After cutting the boys
head OF. they dlsfgured the body
beyond recognition and escaped. At
Ser the confession OF Moore in the
Sail here the officer on .he descrip-
tion Of Smith, captured him and
having train No. ~ stop at Glade
Spring, hurried the negro away to
a place Of safety.
A Crazy Mans Story.
Bristol, Va. May 25.-It has de-
Veloped that the negro Robert Moore
who was hurried away from Abing-
don Saturday under heavy guard to
prevent lynching, after having con-
Tessed that be murdered James
Hines, the 16-year-old son OF an Alb.
ingdon druggist, and Ia now confined
IN the 1snchburg jail, is insane and
&hat the boy has not been murder
.-sd.
The supposed deeapitated body OF
the boy, reporte dto have been
found in Dickinson county, where
the negro said he committed the
atrocious crime, was re-examjned
and found to be the carcass OF a