The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-10-05
Hubbard Refuses 10 TAX.

LYNCHBURG, VA Special Ben
Hubbard, who yesterday shot DR.. ]. A.
Petit at Lovingston, again refused
when seen at the Jail here this morn
ing by The JourHal representative, to
make a statement as to the cause lead
ing up to the tragedy, though he ad-
mitted frankly that he did the killing.
Further than that he could not be
made TO talk.
He says he will make no statement
until advised TO do so by counsel, and
none has been retained yet. Indeed.
none OF the mans friends have been
here to see him yet. His father. who
is seventy-six years old, he says, is
too feeble TO leave home.
AS TO the motive for the shooting.
IT was learned this morning from a
relative of the murdered mana resi-
dent OF Lynchburg-that DR.. Petit
Hubard's wife, who was in a delicate
condition. Hubbard had arranged for
negress to attend his wife and did not
want a physician. Hubard's father
learned of the woman's precarious con-
dition and sent for Dr. Petit, who did
of her husbands objection, but Yves
finally persuaded TO do so, and II de-
veloped that the woman would prob
ably have died but for his attention.
She was safely delivered. however.
After the occurrence DR.. Petit stat
ed that Hubbard had threatened his life
Tor this, but he did not fear him. The
physician stated a short time ago the 4
he was not afraid OF Hubbard unless
he should slip up from behind and at
tack him, and this proved 10 be the !
case yesterday.
DR.. Petit viii be buried tomorrow
morning, the funeral taking place from /
his home The burial will be in the
family burying ground on the farm.
DR.. James A. Petit. the physician |
killed at Lovingston yesterday by Ben !
dubard. had wide circle OF friends
in this city, and particularly among
State officials, all OF whom speak of
him in the most eulogistic terms. He
Is described as a man of the most ex-
emplary character and his untimely
END has caused profound sorrow.
Former State Senator Bland c.
Massle, or Nelson, who was here TO
attend meeting of the State Fishe-
rles Commission and who was an in
innate friend of DR.. Petit, left for
ms home early this morning in or
der that he might be near the af
flicted family.
Before departing from this city he
expressed the opinion that the homi-
eide was due to the mental condition
UI I1uoard' VINO has the reputation of
belng a peculiarly eXcitable man.
Indeed, it would not be going too
Tar TO say that many people in his
nelgh borhoOd believe the prisoner is
actually demented.
Many who know him declare, how
person
smaIl mental capacity, he is fully able
to distinguish between right and
wrong and should be treated as a
criminal and not as an insane man.
rms contingent express the opinion
that the people OF Nelson will not
De SATISFIED If Hubbard enjoys immu-
nifty for the killing of DR.. Petit, and
they predict that a jury from his own
Nlclnage VIII deal severely with him
Nowhere is ii intimated that the un-
fortunate physician had done any
thing in the leastwise reprehensible
His murder is regarded as cold blood
ed and deliberate, and his tragic end
is deeply lamented.
LOVINGTON, VA Special DR.
James A. Petit, of Massie's Mill, one
OF the most prominent and highly es-
teemed physicians of Nelson county.
and a colonel on Governor Mann's
stan. who was shot and instantly killed
early yesterday afternoon by Ben HUI
bard, OF the Colleen section, in Nelson
county, will be buried tomorrow.
The killing took place in the prin-
cipal street Of Lovingston, the county
seat, directly in front of the Hotel
Dawson, and was witnessed by several
persons who were in town for court
day. Hubbard had just finished din
ner in the hosiery, and was coming
down the hotel steps, when he caught
=
leisurely down the street.
Reaching into his pocket for a re-
volver, Hubbard said to DR.. Petit: 81
have been intending to kill you for
sometime"
With that he leveled the weapon
at the physician and fred three times.
Two of the three shots struck DR.. Pet
tit In the head, the third causing in
slant death. The doctor fell to the
ground. and as he lay PROSTATE his as
sailant coolly stood over him and fired
two more bullets into the dead mans
chest.
Immediately scores Of people, many
Of whom had witnessed the killing
but were almost stunned by the sud
denness and shock of It all, made
rush for the murderer, Mr.. Ball being
the first to reach and disarm him. He
was quickly surrounded by a wildly
excited crowd, and for awhile it ap-
peared as If there were danger OF his
being roughly handled, but aided by
several in the crowd, the officials
formed a Gordon about him and he