The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-30
Cyclone" the Consta-
BILE, i. ayes Like Maniac
When 1 ocked Up.
CLAIM S IL w AS
u TO ACCIDENT
Son Hurried to Hospital With
.38 Calibre Bullet in His Stom-
ach-Neighbors Heard Quar-
rel in Stable Just Before
Shot Was Fired-Trag-
edy in County.

1hoHlds ii. Samuels, known as
Cyclone and locked upon as one
OF the most unique characters in Hen
rico county, where he has served as
q constable for Varina District. last
night not aud probably mortally
thirty-nve years old.
The shooting took place in the
stable OF Samuels's home in the Os-
born Turnpike. two miles below Full
ton. SaInueis claimed that it was an
accident. but IL was alleged that he
had quarreled with his son, and while
in a rage shot him.
The bullet. Of .3S calibre entered
;he II mans stomach. He was
brought 10 the Retreat for the Sick
by DIR. B. L. Reams and an operation
was performed at once. 1t was said
that he would likely die.
Father Sent to Jail.
News of tho shooting quickly spread.
rest by Special officer NJ. IT. Barlow.
He was taken to the Henrico County
Jail and held without bail.
When placed under arrest the pris-
oner behaved like a maniac. All the
way to jail ne shrieked and screamed.
Finally placed behind the bars, his
acts became more and more like those
OF a madmon. He jumped about his
cell, beating his head against the wall.
he screamed, pulled ~ the heavy steel
bars and prayed.
He called upon all of the powers to
attest that the shooting was an acct
dent. and 1t was with difficulty that he
was restrained from doing himself
bodily harm.
In the recent primary SamuelG was
defeated for reelection as constable
by Harvey ~Southwerd. This fact
seemed to prey upon his mind, and
those who came in contact with him
noticed a decided change in him. For
q long while his mind is said to have
been weak. His memory was always
poor. and when his friends heard OF
the shooting last night and saw and
talked with him, they pronounced him
as mad as a March hare.
That he had frequent quarreIs with
his son was known. His temper. when
aroused. had always been violent.
Knowing these things. 1t was said
that he was not accountable for tho
shooting.
AS constable the money Samuels
earned was not sufficient to supply his
needs. He was cared for by his son.
who was employed at the plant of the
Richmond Cedar Works.
No Witnesses Found.
AS far as could be learned. no one
witnessed the shooting. According to
the prisoner. he was at home about Z
o'clock. when ne had occasion to 60
to the stable to get a bundle he had
left in a vehicle. Being dark. he
struck a match.
At this point, he says, his son en-
tered the place and cautioned him about
fire. 1t appears that John Samuels was
angry. and, according TO his fathers
story. he swore and cursed the old
man.
Cyclone" said that he turned to leave
his son. and STOPPING over to pick UP
his package, his gun was accidentally
discharged.
Neighbors declare that they heard
Samucls shouting and apparently quar-
reling with the son several mute be-
fore there was the sound OF a revolv-
er's report.
The prisoner was brought to the
county Jail and placed in charge OF
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Lyme. With the
babble of about two dozen animated
voices and the cries and groans OF
Samuels. the scene bordered on pande-
monium.
In Benttie's Old Cell.
When escorted to the cell which was
occupied by Henry Clay Beattie, Jr..
now in the City Jail undar sentence of
death for the murder of his young
wife. Samuels became more wild. lie
raved, stamped and swore. He would
quiet down at intervals and pray. In
broken sentences he offered himself
seif-pity, and would then cry out that
ii was an accident.
Samuels is a veteran of the Confed-
crate States Army. In his body to.
day he claims to have eight bullet
wounds received in battle. lie was a
native OF Caroline county. He has had
many rare experiences and adventures
while serving for more thar a score
of years as a constable. and has tig-
ured prominently in the newspapers.
He IS known to almost every laap,