The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-15
NEGRO CONFESSES
To KELLEY KILLING
CLAIMING ACCIDENT
Confronted by Witness, Duke
Breaks Down. Wingheld
Charges Fatal Shot Was
Fired Deliberately.
Caught in Mecklenburs Negro
Who Sold Gun to Carter.
Fastens Bloomingdale Muir
der Upon Dennis Duke Held
as Suspect.

Dennis Duke. a negro, twenty
three years old, who was being de-
tained In Henrico county jail as
witness to the brutal killing of Ed
ward Kelley, sixteen years old. VINO
was found dead In pool of blood
last Tuesday afternoon on the Bloom
ingdale farm. was placed under ar,
rest on a charge of firing the fatal
shot, following q statement yester-
day morning by Meade Wingheld,
Brunswick county negro. Duke con-
fessed. claiming that the killing was
an accident, though W!ngfieid says II
was murder.
As was anticipated by the county
consta bulary Wingtieid was i'll the
possession of the key to the solu
ton of the mysterious murder. Wing
field, who sold a shotgun to James
Penrose Carter, of Henrico county.
eight minutes after the murder oc-
cured, was taken into custody SLtur-
day night in his home, near SHELTON.
Brunswick county. He was brought
back hera yesterday by Henrico Fo-
licemen X w. Bendaii and Robert
Tiller and lodged in Henrico jail.
Statement Brings Confession.
In the presence of Commonwealth
Attorney Frank sutton, Dennis Duke
and several county officers Wingffeld
acknowledged having been an eye
witness 10 the murder of young hel-
ley. Pointing his finger at Duke wing
field exclaimed.
There's the man who did the
rhooting." At first the accused APP
peared te tie thunderstruck, but later
as the brunswick county negro pro-
ceeded with his story OF the murder,
Duke broke down completely and con-
leased having fired the shot that sent
Edward Kelley to his death.
II didn't do il on purpose snhbed
the negro 1T WAS an accident
ray nothing.
wingfeid told the officers that ne
had been employed at tho Smith
dairy. q short distance from the
Bloomtngdale farm. but that he had
emit the position few days previous
= the murder OF Kelley. He says
that Monday he packed all of his
personal belongings in Il suitcase, save
a shotgun. which he carried outside,
and brought them over to the Bloom
ingdaie farm. He says that Duke con-
sented to keep them in his shanty
until he called for them.
Story of the Killing.
He made up his mind to catch
train and go back TO his home in
Brunswick county, and started over
f from nhf na When n F'' he a'' arrived H e
found the latter and Kelley engaged
In unloading large farm wagon of
fodder and placing II in the loft of
a harm. He secured the key TO
Dukes sh$nty and got his suitcase
and gun. He then went to the barn
to tell Kelley and Duke goodbye. When
ne arrived at the barn Kelley asked
leave to shoot the weapon. Wing
field told him that he had no shells,
ahut the ycung man replied that he
had one in his pocket He proceeded
to break the gun and place the shell
in It.
Here, Wingdeld told the officers.
Duke interviewed and told Kelley not
TO shoot 'he gun. The latter paid no
heed 10 the negroes words but raised
the ffrcarm TO his shoulder and was
tn the acs OF cooking 1t when Duke
caught hold of the muzzle.
Kelley held tight to the gun and
q scufIle ensued. Wingfield says that
nc believed the men TO be playing and
did not make any eTort to put
xtop to II.
saws II Was Murder.
However, Duke finally wrenched the
weapon from the young mans grasp.
and. according to Wingfeid. stepping
hack about three yards. and pulled
the trigger, Tho entire load entered
xs'ley's head near his mouth killing
him instantly. Wingfield frightened
badly and desiring to get away from
the scanc of the shooting as quickly
rs possible, picked up the gun which
had been dropped by Duke. and hur-
ried to tho store of James Penrose
Carter.
The nero says that he had prom
ised to sell Cater the gun when he
mutt his % sition at the dairy. and now
aid so. receiving $2.7S for It. After
selling the gun. Wingfeld says, he
hurried away and caught the next
rain to shelton. Wingfield declared
That. although he knew he would be
SUSPECTED IL he left the place in such
q hasty manner. he did not want to
exposed his friend.
Penrose Carter gave Wingfield's
address to the Henrico police, but
the first search for him proved flu
tile. Milton Walker. well known
business man of La Crosse, was
asked by Henrico Policeman r.. w.
Bendall 70 be on watch for the negro.
He located him Saturday morning
and sent a special delivery letter to
the officer
Policeman Bendall was in the act
If going to Brunswick county to
place Wingfield under arrest when a
telegram was received telling him
hat the arrest had been made by
Constable j. b. Wright, of Mecklen-
ourg county, and that the prisoner
had been lodged In the jail at La
Crosse.
Mr.. Bendall, accompanied by ON
ser. Tiller. left Richmond at $3.50
o'clock Saturday afternoon to take
charge OF the man. They caught the
next train returning to Richmond. ar
irving here with the prisoner yester-
day morning shortly after o'clock
Wfngfleld Tells All.
when the Henrico policemen ar
rived Wingfield had already made
one statement to Constable Wright
and Mr.. walker. He made similar
one to the oflcers whom they took