The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-07
Patrolman Robert Beasley
Brutally Murdered By Thug
He Had Arrested
STRUCK DOWN WHILE
CALLING FOR PATROL
Two Negroes Arrested Late
Last Night-The Shirt of
One Suspected Covered
With Blood

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
Petersburg. Va, Feb 6.--Peters-
burg and this vicinity suffered its
worst shock in recent years this morn
ing over the dastardiy murder OF Pa
trolman Robert T.. Beasley. Of the Po-
lice Department. by a negro. whose
name the officer had reported to police
headquarters as Robert Woodley.
Following search Of almost twenty
hours, Robert Woodley, the negro who
lis alleged to have sent Policeman
peasley TO his death. was arrested at
the home of his mother on Wilson
Street tonight at 1850 O'Clock Al
though he denied having committed
the heinous crime, his overall jacket
and cap were covered with blood, and
the police believe that they have the
right man. He is being held in the
local police station without bail pend
ing his preliminary arraigument. The
rarrest was made by Patrolmen Gordan
and Faison. the last named officer
having been elected to the local po-
lice force with Mr.. Beasley.
Another negro. who gave his name
as Cudep Holmes, was also taken into
custody tonight in connection with
| the murder, but the police do not
believe now that he was IN any way
Implicated in the Staying of the officer.
| lie will probably be released from
custody today.
At s.5s o'clock Of'cer BeasIey call
| ed police headquarters from the
|signal box at Halifax and Mistletoe
Streets and was teikr- TO Oficer W.
|P. Huigfns at headquarters when he
was suddenly felled to the ground
with q broken cant-hook handle.
which the negro was carrying over his
|shouiAer with a basket or bag OF
groceries suspended 80 10, which IL
|eupposed had been stolen. The firss
blow is believed TO have been suf-
|sieient to cause the oficer's death, but
1.-The brute struck the PROSTATE form
Iblow after blow in the face and about
the head untsl life was completely
|extinct and then ran of. carrying the
goods which he is supposed to have
stolen. but leaving the blood stained
|stick.
As the name of the negro was given
kby Mr. Beasley 20 officer Hudzins, the
|Stsnat phone was short circuted by
1.-The. receiver being tern OF in, the
hands OF the officer ana II was sftsefa
minutes later that MIR, Swanson, OF
the Halifax-Street drug store. phoned
THAT the officer had been murdered
Officer Hudgins believed that the
|from Mr. Beasley and that he had
|eiven chase and would. perhaps. call
Inp Headquarters from some other box
ON his beat.
Heard Repeated Blows.
| Mr. Swanson who occupies the
dwelling in front Of which the murder
was committed, heard the repeated
blows which the negro struck Mr..
|Beasley, and remarked to his wife that
o ~
lawful drubbing He did not suspect
that the officer was In trouble until he
heard the negro run. and, looking
|from the window saw the body lying
Idead In the street. Mr., Swanson
|aroused other occupants OF the house
Ihefore going out to make an investl-
Icat,on. by which time il is believed
The negro was some distance away.
The patrol, in charge of Chaneur
Stephens, arrived after brier time,
| hut MFR. Beasley's body was already
growing cold In a pool of his own
blood. with the telephone receiver
gripped tightly in one hama ana ths
butt of his revolver, wnich ne mao
mot drawn from his pocket, In the
other
The cold FLOODED murder has stir
| red this community as II has not been
Istirred before In recent years.
In Service Few Months
Patroiman Beasley was appointed
to the force only a few months ago
land his untimely death will be deep
ly regretted by every member of the
|force and every citizen OF Petersourg'
Both the city and the State will offer
| q reward for the arrest of the muir
lderer.
n Mr.. Beasley was a man of high
~, "a her
|of ST. Johns Episcopal Church. His
|untimely death is due. in the opinion
of many, to his fear of doing sus-
|pected criminal an injustice. From
his early childhood he has been known
by hundreds of people throughout the
lefty through his genial manners, SYM
pathetic disposition, his pure Chris
titan character and friendly smile.
which he carried at all times and
under all circumstances.
Robert Beasley was never known to
|epeak unkindly or uncharitably OF any
|person or being. and was always ready
Ito lend a helping hand to any that
sAe might aid. He would walk blocks
Ito various sections of the city after
a hard days labor, to speak con-
|sof;np word or offer assistance to an
|nffiicted or sick friend or acquaintance,
always bestowing upon his fellow
mar that brotherly love which is APP
parent in but few men. He was known
land esteemed alike by both the old
land the young, and every member of
1.-THE Petersburg police department
locked upon him as an example OF
morals and Christian character.
Parents in Poor Health.
In recent years both his mother
land father. Mr.. and Mrs. w. A Beas-
lev. have been in feeble health, and
|Rubert's first and last thought has
lat all times been for their pleasure
land comfort. 1t is beyond under