The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-08-08
POLICE SEARCH FOR
MISSING WOMAN
Josie Riddick Answers Descrip-
ton of Bon Air Woman-Had
Skirt Exactly Like One
Found in Woods Torn
and Bloodstained
RICHMOND, Va, Specialized

RICHMOND, VA, Specialized
tiers and kilograms are being
sent TO Norfolk by the police
60 learn, If possible, the where
ahOutS of the woman known
as Josie RiddicIS, who disappear
eli from IL Mayo Street ON July
list. and who, il il thought, may
have been murdered near Bon
Air.
The woman used several names.
hOwcN CT, and the police are cN-
pcricncing some difficulty i'm
finding traces of her. They have
learned that her father lives on
Berkeley Avenue, and a telegram
received from Norfolk this morn
ipg seems TO Indicate that his
daughter il still alive.
This message il TO the effect
that the woman was in Norfolk
as late as July nth. and is now
living in Newport News. The
telegram indicates that Josie Rid
dick has been married. The
name of her husband docs not
exactly tally with that Of the man
with whom she il said to have
left Richmond, however. 50 the
police are continuing the inVeSti-
cation until il shows cOnClusiVcIy
that the Riddick woman is or il
Inmates of III Mayo Street say
that when the woman left she
carried suit case in which was
packed, among other things, a
tan skirt trimmed with very large
satin buttons. just such skirt
was found near the hedge in
which the body of the murdered
woman was discovered.
Friends of the woman declare
dcred woman strangely agrees
with that of Josie Riddick. Other
garments found near Bon Air are
said Co be like the clothes worn by
the Riddick woman.
Josie Riddick, known also rs
Iottie Williams, 10 Smith and
Josie Harris was born, according
TO the ponce record, i'm BROOKLYN.
She Is said 20 have lived i'm DAN
Mic SeyCr3l years; also i'm New
port News. About three years
ago she moved to Richmond. She
ieit town some months ago, but
returned last March, and until
July list lived at III Mayo Street.
Left With a Man.
When she left Mayo Street on Jul
lst the woman was accompanied by
man who had recently, according [
police information, spent much tim
IN her company. The woman carrie
a suit case. The man had two va
Uses.
They said they were going TO Nor
Iolk, and when last seen by acquaint
ances were walking in the directio
)t the Chesapeake and Ohio Station
The police have the name and pic
-ure OF the man with whom the wo
man Is said to have left town. He i
believed to have lived in DanvilIe
where he now has relatives.
According to statements made b
inmates Of III Mayo Street, the MAJ
has dangerously jealous disposition
ma though he seemed to be attache,
o the Riddick woman, he had FIRE
luent and bitter quarrels with her.
Murder Due to jealousy.
Inc examination Of the body OF tn,
murdered woman found near Bon All
seemed to indicate that the deed ha,
,een committed in a jealous rage, a.
he clothes had been torn off and ia,
ace OF the woman frightfully mutt
ated.
Not only was the skull crushed. bu
[ was the opinion of those who say
he body that the murderer ba,
'tamped upon the Woman's face as /
o make sure that Identification woul,
be impossible. The garments seem I,
nave been unnecessarily torn. Som
we're blood-stained, but most of tn
blood spots are finger marks.
Near the body was found a bottl
a dark fiuid-not vet ana
yzed as far as the police known,
L Is the belief of some that the Wo
nan was drugged before her throa
vas cut. The postmortem examina
Ion by surgeons failed to reveal ever
/ possible motive.