The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-06

MIR. Roach had gone home, and went
back there but nothing could be found
of him Later Mr. Roach's hat was
found and in short time n general
search was in progress.
After searching the woods and fields
IN the vicinity where Mr.. Roach was
known to have been, failing 10 fini
him, we went TO the Barrett house and
tried to get some information from
Barrett's wife, She denied having seen
her husband since the day before. Not
one word Of information regarding Mr..
Roach could we get from this woman.
or the whereabouts of the Barretts. In
the meantime we found this woman
had been to neighbours house. about
$50 in the morning. and told them
Albert, her husband. had knocked Mr..
Roach in the head and killed him, and
had left.
Later In the evening Mr. Lee Smell
got q story from Barrett's little girl.
a child about twelve years old She
told q straight story in the presence
OF her mother. who tried at times to
stop her. She said she went to the
field to get some wheat for the chick
ems that Mr., Roach and her father
were standing ''fussing' about the
wheat: that her brother came up be-
hind and struck Mr. Roach with a
stick, and knocked him down then
her father killed him She told how
they carried him in the woods--that
her brother took hold OF his feet and
her father took hold of his shoulders.
and in this way they carried him into
the woods, and drove her back TO the
house.
This girl tried that night to show the
crowd where they took the body bu,
the heavy rain and lightning made ~
i'm possible and II was given up until
daylight. 1t was through the infor-
nation obtained from this girl that tho
body was soon located the next morn
ing.
This girl has told this story many
times and-has -napae- Aeriatea- In M
particular.
There was no indication of any
scIffle. or fight. IN rfle field where this
took place There was not n mark or
scratch on either OF the Barretts to
indicate n fight of any kind. Mr.
| Roach WAS an able man physically,
and would have been more than a
match for both Of the Barretts IL he
had been given any show whatever
The first blew that was struck was
| dealt by this boy" according to his
sisters statement, and we have every
reason IN the world to believe this
Hbti fNilt tbtti II TIE afy tiit u UNIV
was committed. before any other
stories had been heard or made up
Or Walker, who examined the body
the morning Il was found, says the
blow struck in the back OF the head.
crushing in the skull at the base Of
the brain would have caused death II
no other blow had been struck. This
blow was struck by Aubrey Barrett.
There were several friShtful cuts
which was the real cause OF Mr..
was struck from the back and left
him HELPLESS In the hands of two
flends. This "hoy' Is nearer eighteen
than he is seventeen. We know his
age and have ample proof of IT,
IT has been suggested by Mr. Ian
caster. in articles nc has furnished the
papers, that this boy was not very
bright that he IS stupid and not re-
sponsihle for what he did There is
not word Of truth in the story He
might be able to fool Mr. Lancaster
by PLAYING off on him. hut this boy
is as shrewd as any other boy of his
age and advantages
We all liked Mr.. Roach. He was
single man. about thirty years Of age
A quiet peaceable man-honest and
reliable. About twelve years ago his
father died and this young man, then
about eighteen years old, was left 70
take care Of his mother and five
younger children.
This Young man assumed every debt
his father owed. and has since paid
them off He took care OF the chill
dren until they were old enough to
care for themselves. He had his life
insured for $1,000, and 1t was made
payable to his mother, While he was
In perfect health, he has worked on
Erentad property aaA looked far
enough into the future to realize the
necessity of protecting his dear old
mother.
We. the signers Of this letter. know