The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-08-04
CHARGE NEGRO
WITH CRIME
RICHMOND VA.

X Il II Nj o y ID, VAS ecial.-
III the charge brought against Tom
Lightfoot. a notorious negro. in the
foilce Court this morning. are proven
10 the satisfaction OF a jury the negro
has reached the end of his worthless
career for many years to come.
He Is accused of having made a
murderous assault upon Mrs. Lena
] Bonaldi. Wife Of Frank Bonaldi. keep
er OF saloon and restaurant on Third
and Baker Streets, this morning at /
O'Clock. Mrs. Bonaldi is in a serious
condition at her home.
IN court this morning L.ightfoot's
case was continued until July goth. at
the request of Policeman Dunn and
Noitz, who made the arrest They
wish to spend the Intervening time in
gathering more evidence.
Mrs. Bonaldi was struck upon the
head. just above the forehead, with a
blackjack. and whether or not Light
loot Is guilty the circumstantial evil
dence Is all against him.
He had made threats against Bo-
naldi, swearing that he would get
even IL he had to kill some member
or the restaurant keepers family
The crime, whoever is guilty, is one
Of inhuman brutality.
Mrs. Bonaldi as is her custom was
sitting on Baker Street, at the hour
named this morning. when, with
Wild scream, she fell from her chair
10 the sidewalk. Her husband ran to
ner and found blood streaming from q
ragged wound upon the top Of her
mead. She was half conscious. how
ever, but could speak only in a dis
connected manner. Some one ran to
the residence of DR.. NJ. 3. Jones. a
colored physician living around the
corner, who Immediately responded
ana after brief examination said
mat the young woman's skull was
crushed.
In the meantime Policemen Dunn
and Noltz arrived. and. after gather
ing whatever Information they could
from those who were near the scene.
started upon the hunt for Tom Light
IOot ana Jim SpyerS. LightfOot was
found in bed at SO5h North Third
Street. ar 4 o'clock. Spyers. who. il is
said. was with him when he is alleged
to have committed the assault. was ar
rested several hours later by the same
oIIlcers' Spyers was not in court to-
day.
Mrs. Bonaldi, at intermittent pc
RODS of consciousness. says that Tom
Lightfoot and companion. supposed
10 be SpyerS. came 20 her just before
she was struck and asked if she had
seen some women pass. She answer
ed. No" They walked few feet
away. she said. and a moment later a
fearful blow knocked her from the
chair.
WHAT ulu TIC MT you with asked
Policeman Dunn.
Something like you carry" an
swered the half daZed young woman.
This. YOU mean" he inquired
showing her his club.
NO" she said. the thing you carry
m your pocket"
He showed her his blackjack and
Mrs. BOnaldi said it was with such
an article that she had been struck
Mrs. Bonaldi is a very comedy young
woman, about thirty years old. Her
husband closes his saloon at II
o'clock and the restaurant at .. Mrs
Ronaldi is i'm the habit of sitting upon
Il chair on the outer edge of the side
walk waiting for him.
Tom LightfOot formerly worked for
Mr.. BOnaldi. but was discharged. He
then began to he a nuisance around
the place and Bonaldi ordered him
TO keep away.
About ten days ago he came into
the saloon and began to he disor-
derby. Bonaldi had him arrested. and
In Police Court the negro was fined
$40.
1T was then" says Policeman
Dunn. that he made the threat to
get square, even if he had to kill
somebody in the family OF Bonaldi."
Frank Bonaldi says he saw Light
foot pass close to his wife shortly be-
fore she screamed. When he reached
her he did not see the assailant. prob
ably because of his excitement
LightfoOt, a black. mean looking
negro. denies all knowledge of the
crime.