The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1916-05-03
IT. F. Roberts
Killed.


the killing OF Mr.. j IS. Roberts,
cashier of the Virginia Iron,
Goal and Coke Company's
mines at Inmau on last Thurs
day afternoon by Ezra Craft, u
5laborer. Mr.. Roberts was we'll
known in the Gap and his I'M
timely death is deeply regret
ted:
james F. Roberts, "a former
Bristolian and cashier for the
Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke
Company, was shot in the back
and killed yesterday afternoon
at 4 o'clock at Imam, Va, by
Ezra Craft, a laborer, of 10
years old Craft was arrested
later in the afternoon after n
chase in the mountains by w.
M. Huffman, superintendent of
the Virginia's mines at lnman.
Feeling III the community over
the tragedy was so intense
against the murderer that he
was removed to Wise for safe
keeping
The tragedy resulted from
the refusal of Mr.. Roberts to
approve claim made by Craft
for accident insurance. AS
cashier Of the company MIR.
Roberts signiiied whether
claims of this kind were valid,
and when he told Craft that he
could not approve his claim, the
latter became iucensed and
abused him. Mr, Roberts mere
ly asked Craft to 20 about his
business, and the laborer left
the office Perhaps half an
hour later MIR Roberts left his
Office to attend to some bust
ness in the commissary. AS he
entered the doorway Craft, WHO
was inside the store, drew a
revolver and with an oath point
cd il at Mr. Roberts. The cash
Ter, apparently forgetful Of the
anger aroused in the lahcrer
earlier 10 the afternoon, turned
70 w stander and remarked
IN king tone of voice, what
do you know about thul?n
With his back toward Craft,
Mr. Roberts walked toward the
man he had addressed when
Graft fired. The bullet entered
his back under the left shoulder
blade, and the bullet, 30 cali
bre, came out at bis nose. He
died in 10 minutes. He was
never conscious.
e AS soon as Craft had fred
his gun he ran from the store
toward the mountains. Mr..
K Huffman, armed with Il revol-
sYcr, pursued lie gained rapid
~ on the man, but Just as Craft
was disappearing at the foot of
q small knob, the superinten-
sdent fired at him. Seeing that
the shot did not strike, MIR.
Huffman turned and ran around
the knob, hoping to overtake
Craft before the latter could es-
cape down a valley on the 9TH
er side. He reached the other
@side of the hill and met Craft.
Mr.. huffman had his revolver
iii his hand. Instantly he GOV.
cred Craft and the latter sur
8rendered
Mr.. Roberts was SO years old
y lie was a native OF Pennsyl.
vania. He lived in Bristol sev.
eral years ago and was married
! TO Miss Ella Childers, a daugh.
ter of Mrs. j. b Childers, oflI3
Sixth Street. His wife, who
was i'll, is almost Frustrated by
the tragedy, but reports from
Il lnman state that her con
dition is not dangerous, They
had one child, a boy, seven
years old.
Carroll Etter, a brother-in
law, of Bristol, went to lnman
ut 5 O'Clock yesterday after
noon. The body will be brought
here today on the noon train for
burial, but final arrangements
will not be made until word is
received from Mr.. Roberts peo-
pie Ill Pennsylvania.
People In Bristol were shock
cd by the news Of the tragedy.
Mr. Roberts was wei! known
here and popular. He had been
connected with the Virginia
Iron, Coal and Coke Company
for tan ,nn &c ,.....