The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-07-06
No Developments Reported in
Connection With Murder
= of Fred Thomas.
CORONER BALDWIN WILL
CONDUCT RIGID INQUIRY
Night-watchman at Plant of
Brunswick Marine construc-
tion comany Was Fourd in an
Unconscious Condition. Fatal
Iy Injured, at Early Hour Yes
terday Morning.

After an all-day investigation of the
brutal murder Of Fred Thomas. night
watchman at the plant Of the Bruins
wick Marine Construction Co, Chief
Of Police Register stated last night
that up to the present time he has
been unable to obtain the slightest
clue as to the identity of the perpre-
trators Of the dastardly crime, the
brutality and heartlessness Of which
shocked the entire city yesterday
morning when the details became
known.
AS we'll as the officers have been
able to gather from the facts, Mr..
Thomas was dealt the blows which re-
suited In his death at about o'clock
yesterday morning. The attack on
the afflicted and inoffensise young
man was made while he was in the
act OF making his rounds.
The indications are that he was
struck, from behind just as he was
about to punch the clock at post s of
NJ u I y ], 7 & I
dealt two powerful blows IN the back
OF the head, either OF which must have
been sufficient to produce death.
The fatally injured man was found
az about six o'clock yesterday morn
Ing by Peter Stewart. the colored fire-
man at the plaut. Stewart had arrived
some time earlier, and proceeded with
his duties, After d time he missed
the watchman. and made a search
for him. thinking something amiss.
He came upon the unconscious victim
OF the assault where he had fallen,
and Immediately notified police head
quarters Officer Ridley hurried to
the scene. aud the injured man was
rushed to the city hospital. whore. up
on examination, II was found that his
skull had been fractured in two pla-
ces.
The unconscious man was taken TO
the operating room. and an operation
performer in the hope or saving his
life. but he died soon after the opera
ton, about noon. without having ut
tered d word.
Coroner EmpaneIs Jury.
The body was removed to the under.
taking parlors OF Coroner Baldwin yes.
terday afternoon. and a Jury empanell-
ed to investigate the crime. The Jury
was in session two or three hours
and made a rigid inquiry. an inspec,
tion Of the scene Of the crime. and
Examined several witnesses. most OF
whom were sailors from vessels an
chored near the plant
The jury was unable 10 gather any
evidence upon which to base its YER
diet. and adjourned to meet again next
| Wednesday. July 18th. when the m
ves,igation viii be continued. In the
i meantime the city and county officers
win make every effort possible to cap
iture the person or persons responsible
for the murder.
Robbery the MotIve7
t II Is the generally accepted theory
of the police and others that robbery
was me motive for the attack. II Il
said that Mr. Thomas had about sA1
| In his pockets. smith & wesson re-
volver and watch. These articles
we're missing. and the pockets of the
victim were found turned outward
There are some, however. who impute
motives other than robbery In connec
ton with the attack.
In vlew ar the lnflrmisies of Mr.
Thomas. together with his inoffensivs
disposition. The people Of the city ARE
especially. ..lneensed Al the brutal nsnr
der. and 10 hopc is generally express
IA that the guilty persons viii hs
brought is account.
Mr.. Thomas was about - or ;.
wears u age. and had resided in nruns
+, wick many years He hsd many rela
ltives and friends In the city. who ars