The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-06

captain george 5feueTtck efBon
Meskin. formerly of the British army
veteran of the Boer war. scion of a
rich and famous English family, sol
dier Of fortune and once well known
in New York. Boston and Newport
society. was shot and probably fatally
wounded in q house at los IL East
Clay street yesterday afternoon under
circumstances which may eliminate
in sensation.
Lying on a cot in the City Home
last night. suffering from a pistol
wound passing close to his heart and
through his left lung, Captain Meakin
refused TO narrate the events proceed
ing the shooting. but insisted the
SHOUTING was not d0ns Uy hts own
hand, claiming The firing of the re-
NolVer was an accident and declin-
ing 10 divulge the name OF the per
son who pulled the trigger.
With the wounded man too weak
eued and i'll to be subjected to the
rigors of DISCRIMINATION and the
only persons who seem to know any
thing about the shooting telling a
story In contradiction to the state
AuEA4N ~ &&RAAsh AhtAhihs &hN
police were temporarily baked in
their efforts TO delve TO the bottom
OF the mystery.
Facts will probably be revealed to-
day which will throw more light on
the strange case and with tho deter
animation of arriving at a solution OF
the mystery within the next tweny-
four hours detectives were at work
nearly all of last night investigating
Meakin's past, his mode of living
and gathering every bit of informa-
ton bearing on the shooting
Soldier of Fortune.
Captain Meakin recently told as
sociatss here that he Is a younger
son OF the Meakin line of Derbyshire.
near Haddan Hall. England. the
summer residence OF members OF the
British royal family. His father is
Sir Henry Meakin, the well known
and wealthy baronet OF Derbysh're. 1t
II believed Captain MeaKin split hts
relations with his relatives at an early
age because OF some dispute with
his father.
Al any rate the younger Meakin
entered tho British army before at
tanning his majority. for he WAS made
4 captain at the age of twenty-three.
He participated with distinction In
tho British campaign against the
Beers and was wounded In one OF
the battles In South Africa. His
horse was shot and fell. the wound
Cd captain falling beneath the
atr4cken animal and being crushed
His nose WAS broken. his collar
bone broken. several ribs fractured
and otherwise so badly injured that
he lay in hospital for year
He told friends that physicians be
Weved he would be crippled for lie !
he had the stamina to survive ms III
-t,iries and that for long time no hop'
was entertained fer his life but n
was unusually strong and finally wa
able to leave the hospital, APPARENT.
well man. The only mark OF his IN
juries was sinister bend In MS nos
which lent peculiar expression Il
his visage.
stoned him or paid him a large amour
of money In lump after his retire
rnent from active service has not neei
learned but he has said since HIS ar
rival In Richmond that he had 100000
when no landed In New York from
Europe. This money. he said. was los
through unwisa specuiattons In stock
in Wall Street hut while in New
York. Captain Meakin established him
: @eif In society. gaining entree TO III
most exclusive circles In the Metro
polls.
He made frequent Journeys TO New
port, NarraRansett. Boston and Phil
adelphia and spent money freely. In
duiging with much satisfa elton In TIL
life OF ease and luxury after the hart
Years Of service under the British
ra~ He has been In the United State
seven years, he has said. and has trav
eled To California and to the north ant
south Of the country. Although nov
shirty-four years old he IL youthful II
appearance and OF great physica
strength.
His education il apparently the bes
that the schools OF England offered ant
he has shown signs OF former cultur'
and refinement. lie quotes Shake
~~eare. Burns, Byron and other literar,
celebrities with ease and Is wen yerset
ON every current subject. Captain
Meakir said he resided for some time
= In Philadelphia after losing the bes
Of his fortune and finally came to Rich
nond. He arrived here in October ,as
and has lived with Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. J
Lawier, at the east Clay Street house
Mrs LAWYERS Story.
According to the story told by Mrs
LArler last night. Captain Meakiu ha'
recently been in financial straits ant
deep dependency. He frequently, wen
out with Captain Charles NJ. Wesson
OF 4o6 west Main Street. close friend
and James Dunlop Wise, an attorney
living at lol West Main Street also ar
intimate friend Captain Meakin was
fond OF the famed Southern Juiep, bu
he drank no more than WAS consistent
with the ethics Of an English officer ant
gentleman. He was interested for 8
time in selling stock for the ATWOOD
Gold Mining Company. II n stated, but
was not successful In his situation witt
this Fluvanna concern
Captain MGakin also attempted Il
sell property for several local real es.
tate concerns but his business ven
lures were improbable. Yesterday
morning he had a brief chat " it'll Car.
tain Wesson and during the converse.
ton the latter remarked: Your Fourti
. OF July WAS commercially safe ant
sane" This conversation occurred he
fore noon and when Captain MeakiI
left Captain Wesson. the EngiighnIaf
returned to his room. which was oil
the top floor Of the Lawler home
You have had no breakfast and In
$ going to prepare soTfle for you sal,
; Mrs. Lawler 10 thp bo;rder but Cap
tain Meaktn declared he was not hun
CRY and went up to his room Mrs
LAwler busted herself with househol,
duties on the first floor until about
o'clock In the afternoon and then de
cdded she would prepare some iuncl
for Captain Meakin and carry IL TO hi
room. despite his protests
Jas. Edward LAWYER. thirteen year
old. eldest son Of Mira. I.awlar. wa
upstairs with Captain Meakin at tn.
time. listening 10 tales Of the Boo