The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-27
HALIFAX GRIMES
CO UNPUBLISHED
OF FOUR BRUTAL HOMICIDES
ONLY ONE MAN Is
CAUGHT.

scottsburg, Va. Dec. 26.--Wfthin a
period of the last fifteen months three
homicides and one cowardly murder
have been committed within radius
Of four miles of this place. and only
one of the affairs has ever been
brought to trial. The man placed on
trial gave himself up. and was acquit-
ted because there was no evidence TO
disprove his claim Of self-defense.
The second homicide occurred near
G.bson's Branch, when William Cole
man and Bassy Claiborne, while under
the influence of blind tiger" COM
pound. so-called whiskey. became in
voived In some petty dispute.
Coleman struck Claiborne terrific
blow on the head with stone, from
which blow he never recovered con-
sciouaness, and died about three days
afserward in the hospital in South
Boston Immediately after he had
struck the death blow Coleman dis
appeared in the nearby woods, and
has not been seen here since. but 1t 10
thought that he Is in Philadelphia.
Last Christmas. at meeting az
Piney Grove Church, colored. row
was started. and James Coleman. 4
negro, strengthened by the blind
tiger" compound. cut the son OF Paul
Morton. another negro. a terrible cash
across the head and down the nose,
lips and chin.
Immediately after this cutting Cole
man disappeared and has not been
seen since. 1t il not known that This
cash was entirely contributory to Nor
TONS death, but in no great while
thereafter he died.
Some time last spring Skipper sgd
nor, negro, committed cold blood
ed and deliberate murder at the home
OF his father-in-law. about four miles
from here. Sydnor, il is alleged, had
SO generally maltreated his wife that
she had sought shelter at her fathers
home. Sydnor bided his time until he
could get q good chance at her and
her brother, Charles Sadler, whom he
thought was protecting her. He was
frequently seen in the bushes OF the
neighborhood. and at the same time
was keeping UP his murderous cour-
age by a liberal use OF the blind
tiger" compound.
Finally, the long-watclhedfor OPP
perfume moment arrived when from
his leafy hiding place Sydnor saw his
wife and her brother. Charles Sadler.
sitting on q bench not far from the
dwelling house. from which the other
members of the family were tempo
FaTtly absent.
Etealthily he crept forward.
screened by the bushes, until within
striking distance. when he sprang for
ward and cut Sadler's throat from ear
to ear and otherwise horribly mutt
lated the victims face and body until
he was but q mass OF gaping wounds.
While he was engaged In this muir
derous attack. his wife fed. screaming
at the top OF her voice. Sydnor quick
ly pursuing. overlook her and cut and
slaaaed her face and breast terribly,
and doubtless would have killed her
but for the fact that her outcries
brought help, whose approach caused
him to fee. and In the nearby forest
he disappeared and no real trace OF
him has been discovered since, al
though $3.50 has been offered for his
capture.
Skipper sydnor IL about feet 3
inches tall. brown skin. freckled face.
weighs about 140 pounds. and was a
Southern Railway brakeman running
out Of Richmond.
The causes of the tragedies that
have occurred in Halifax County
within the last year have been attrib-
uted largely to the use Of blind tiger"
whiskey. The temperance forces have
been aroused and efforts are to be
made to stop the illegal sale OF intoxi-
cants in this county.