The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-05
Writ Perkins Murdered
in Henrico by George
Henry Girard.
SUICIDE QUICKLY
FOLLOWS CRIME
Trivial Quarrel Between Victim
and Slayer's Son Only Appar-
ent Cause of Tragedy-Per-
kins Ordered to Kneel in
Prayer as Girard Ad-
vanced With Gun.

George Henry Girard, nfty-nve years
DID, well-to-do Henrico farmer, shot
and killed William Writ Perkins,
twenty five years old. yesterday after
noon. and then committed suicide with
the same gun. The shooting took place
at 4:l5 o'clock on the old Archer plan
tation. In Varina District and result
ed, it is thought. from n temporary
alteration OF mind caused by family
troubles and aggravated by a trivial
quarrel between Perkins and a younger
son, oscar Girard
Came to City With Son.
Girard was a native of Michigan,
having moved here from Saginaw three
years ago, when he purchased the
property OF DIR. Cauthorn Archer. near
Nariha He subsequently, bought an
other tract of land, which embraced
loo acres. and was considered TO be a
man OF considerable means, having
paid nearly $4,000 for the Archer
property. He was accompanied from
Michigan by his wife and eight chill
dren His eldest son, John Girard.
lived with him, but was dissatisfied.
| which Is said to have worried the elder
| man. who made every effort to per-
suade him to remain. John Girard.
| however. left last night with his wife
and two small children. for Michigan.
| they were not aware of the tragedy.
| ''"'N4i cSSuiicu lNO hours before they
left the city
| Glrard came to Richmond yesterday
afternoon to see his son depart, but
!ater made up his mind to so back, and
| arrived home at o'clock Without
saying a word as To his intentions.
| he went into the house and in a few
| minutes came out with double e-bar-
| rel shotgun. His wife was sitting on
! the porch. but as 1t was not unusual
for the men to go hunting, she thought
| nothing OF the fact that he was armed.
Told Him TO knceI nna Pray.
Girard went about 15O yards from
his home 10 field in which Fred
Knight and his cousin. Perkins. were
| working. knight was in front plow-
ing, and Perkins was walking behind
Grard came up TO the pair. and throw
| ms the gun TO his shoulder, shouted
10 Perkins to get down on his knees
| and pray, at the same time assuring
young knight that he need have no
| fear.
instead OF obeying the order OF the
enraged man. Perkins turned to run.
but was stopped by the first charge.
| which struck him under the left arm.
He whirled around ard as he was fall
! inS, Girard sent the remaining load
into his right groin. AS he lay on the
/ ground wr!thinS in pain, Girard
walked over to him and struck him
several heavy blows over the head,
one of which fractured the skull. and
another inflicted n cash six inches in
| length
Dies In Front of Wife.
Girard turned and walked off with
out again speaking TO the horrified
| witness His wife, who was still on
the porch. did not know OF the mur-
der, although She heard both shots.
/ The husband approached and said
We'll. shall kill you too?"
Thinking nothing OF the remark.
Mrs. Girard made no reply Girard
backed of several PAGES, and sitting
| on the ground, pulled OFF his right
shoe, then placing the muzzle of the
| gun against his left breast, sent a
| load Of shot through his heart. Death
/ was instantaneous
telephone message was sent to the
Henrico County Jail. and Sheriff l..
! II. Kemp. Deputy Sheriff Joseph B.
/ Lyme. and Officer John Shoemaker, i'm
mediately secured an automobile. and
breaking the speed regulations. reached
the place in less than nifty minutes.
When they arrived there. both men
! We're dead After making n thorough
| investigation, Sheriff Kemp came 10
town and ordered Nielsen & Son. of
| fulton. to take charge OF the bodies
i They were brought here last night, and
I 1T. u. fulIneF Snt, coroner or Hem
rico. will hold an investigation to-
day.
Itnd Not Bccn Himself.
Giard has not been himself, IL Is
said since his son made up his mind
to leave Virginia. lie conhded his
troubles to several friends and con-
tinually talked OF the trouble he had
taken with the boy. only To have him
desert him in his old age For more
than week he ha0 dwelt upon the
matter until his mind became upset it
is believed by his friends.
The Younger Girard and his family
left last night al $50 O'clock over the
Chesapeake and Ohio hallway. Girard
and Oscar Girard both came to Rich
mond with them. While here John
told his father OF the quarrel that had
occurred between Oscar and Perkins.
The elder man became cnraged. and
shortly after ann ounced his intention
of going home without waiting for the
train to leave.
oscar stayed IN town with his brother
and family, and could not he located
last night Neither he. nor John heard
of the tragedy.
The Girards had spent the after
noon. until train. time. with friends. Mr.
and Mrs Horace Robertson, IN Fulton.
Sheriff Kemp conducted a rigid ex-
animation Into the causes leading up
to the shooting and last night stated
that he was convinced that tiirard was
temporarily insane over his supposed
troubles. A rumor that the murdered
youth had insulted Girards daughter.
WAS denied by the family. although tho
report WAS current over the county. 's
Perkins Was In Field. i2e
Fred Knight. who witnessed the mur-
der OF his cousin. Perkins. graphically
de scribed the circumstances to Sheriff
Kemp. He was plowing, he said. and