The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-21
Man Who Disappeared Sunday
Was Slain by Robbers Near
Riverview
BODY FOUND BY
THREE YOUNG MEN
Dead Man Was Saving His
Money for Trip to Tennes-
see and His Family Believed
He Had Gone on Visit

Lying In a secluded spot In the
heart of a thick wood near River
view Cemetery beside a fence which
was stained with his blood, with a
gaping wound in his throat, his skull
battered In and his brains exuding,
the body OF William r. Hamilton
fifty-one years old. painter. who re-
sided at 1925 Ashland Street. was
found yesterday afternoon shortly at
ter 2:3O o'clock by three young men.
John Rowe. 1905 Claiborne Street.
Thomas Sanderson. 1901 South Alien
Avenue. and George Martin. 1los
South Randolph Street. we're wander
ing through the woods when they
discovered the dead body. Coroner
Taylor stated last night that It was
one OF the most atrocious murders
in the history OF Richmond
Although slightly decomposed, the
body was not beyond recognition. and
a short While after the discovery was
made the victim was identified by one
of his nieces
Found Near Dooley Home.
When found the body was lying be-
side the fence that surrounds the
handsome home OF Major James II.
nnaley. and was arranged as neatly
Ms if an undertaken had prepared the
body to be placed in casket. He
was lying on his hack, his limbs ex-
tended and his hands placed on tho
lower part Of his ABIDE men. Coroner
Taylor declared thai IL was apparent
that the body had been placed IN r1ts
manner by tnuse who had committed
the deed His clothes were neither
torn nor dtsheveied, whtest showed
that there was no struggle and. that
rIu-ierers attacked him from the
rear.
Knife and Club Found.
A short distance from tine body was
found knife the blade of which was
covered with blood while still FUR
Their away a heavy stick. which APP
parently had been used for cane.
was found buried beneath dead leavsp
and twig. This stick was d!sinterred
by Policeman Soweii late yesterday
afternoon and. that. too. was found
to be covered with blood II is the
opinion of Coroner Taylor that Ham,
!iton was first attacked with the stick
and then. 70 make sure OF killing him.
the murderers cut his throat with the
knife. A large handkerchief was
found stuffed in his mouth
The murder is believed to have been
committed for the purpose OF robbery
for he was relieved OF practically all
OF his personal belongings including
&6S in currency and a valuable gold
watch. The inside OF sais right pocket.
In which his money was kept, was
turned out, while a short distance
away from the dead body were found
several little keys. the property OF
Hamilton. which had been taken from
the victims pocket and then thrown
away.
Disappeared Sunday Morning.
Hamilton disappeared from hts
home Sunday morning and nothing
had been heard Of him until the
family was told yesterday afternoon
that ne had been the victim OF a
foul murder. Although his wherea
bouts we're not known to members OF
his family. they had experienced little
worry over him, thinking that he
had possibly lefs for Tennessee. q
trip which he had been planning To
take for some time. He had beer
saving his money. it is said, to take
suc4, = trip. and he was known &c
have had SIS In his pocket when he
left home Sunday morning.
After Coroner Taylor had Viewed
the body on the scene Of the murder
yesterday afternoon, he ordered the
establishment. He will empanei Z
coroners Jury this morning. but thu
inquest will be deferred until nexl
Saturday morning. IN order to NV
the detectives who have been assigned
70 the case time to try to and some
clue - to who committed this helm
Gus crime.
Murdered Several Days.
Coroner Taylor declared that Ham.
iItoh had been murdered two or thres
days. and II ia believed that the crime
was committed either late Sunday at
ternoon or that night Just what
me motive or the murder could have
been, unless ii was for the purpose
OF robbery. members OF Hamilton'l
family are at loss to know. because
he was not known to have had an,
trouble with any one recently.