The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-12
MONEY PROBABLE
MOVIE FOR DEED
lContlnued from F.irst 49,

tSpntlhuEa IRON FIRST rbg"l
the tragic deaths of the aged spinster
slsrers, Mary and Katherine Tunnel
is fuH of excitement as a result of
Elgarnus- lnXestsaa3+aHs- detectives
working for clews. The negroes of
the vicinity now realize the wrath of
the farmers over the horrible death
Of the women, and have volunteered
to assist the authorities in the search
for conviction OF the perpetrator OF
the crime.
We are convinced that negro
Killed the Misses Tunnel" said Or.
Decormis, of Aecamac. tonight.
II is the theory that II negro re-
duced to desperation through star
Walton. because of the severe weather
conditions that have prevailed and
lack of tho demand for labor, made
the attack.
1t is believed that the sisters, who
were inclined to hoard their wealth,
despite their many splendid qualities,
heard the intruder and endeaVoring
to repei him We're slain. The almost
total destruction of the bodies has
made the investigation Il difficult one.
Curious view the Ruins.
Hundreds Of the morbidly curious
went to the farm during the day and
the ashes Of the ruins were searched
by them for souvenirs Some SYM
pathetic women friends from Parks
ley placed flowers on the two graves.
which are located within a hundred
feet Of the crime.
The Rev. G. T. Clayton and Rev. G.
+. Clark, of the Parksley Methodist
Episcopal and Pastoral Baptist
churches, respectively, mentioned the
tragic death of the women in the
course of their sermon this evening
and prayers were offered that the
guilty might be speedily brought to
justice.
Armed Farmers Scour County.
Armed posses of enraged farmers
with bloodhounds, sworn to avenge
the diabolioal murder OF the septua-
genarinan sisters, who apparently
were brutally beaten senseless and
then almost wholly cremated when
the. murderer applied the >tssah- q l
converted the little farm house at
Pastoral. Va, into funeral pyre for
the women, are securing Accomac
county for the assassin. The entire
peninsula is aroused over the crime.
Three Under Surveillance.
County officials declared tonight
that three persons are under sur
veillance. but because OF the wrath
of the mob the authorities refuse to
hint at the color or identity of sus-
poets.
Negroes Panicstricken. .s !,
1t Is admitted that the fury OF the
Virginians may cause them to take
the law into their own hands II
reasona bly, assured a captive is guilty.
Negroes are in panicstricken mood.
The sight of the rowing bands OF
armed men and yelptng bloodhounds,
which SO far failed to turn up what
is regarded as q real scent, has made
them frantic. They are afraid Of a
case of mistaken identity and they'are
taking no chances.
From towns along the New York.
Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad in
this section an exodus of blacks took
place this afternoon.
Many Theories.
Because OF the fendish nature of
the crime, some of the officers are
inclined to believe that a negro muir
dered the sisters. Others. however,
maintain that some one familiar with
the sisters and their homes perpe-
trated the double murder.
Only one motive. that OF robbery.
suggests itself. The sisters owned
property and had money in the Parks
ley Bank. While II had been gossiped
freely that they had concealed a sum
in excess OF $500 about their home.
The sisters. 1t has been learned. did
not leave viii and their estate.
valued at $4,000. will pass to John
j. Tunnel. brother, who resides at
Atlantic. about fifteen miles from
Pastoral, and the six children OF Will
liam A. Tunnel, a deceased brother.