Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-15
Police Seek Two Hitchhikers
For Questioning in Staying
Victim Served
In Army During
Korea Conflict

Virginia State police today
sought two hitchhikerS for ques-
tioning in connection with the
Staying of 25-year-old Vienna
(Va.) filling station worker.
Trooper Rex HoskinS said the
hitchhikers-a young Marine
and a man who was riding in a
lumber truck-were reported in
the area about 6 miles north of
Warrenton (Va0 where the body
of Thomas Dale War, a Korean
war veteran, was found early
yesterday.
The officer said investigators
also would re-examine the ditch
along Highway 1921 where the
body was found for fresh clues.
Fingerprint experts were to 60
over Mr.. Wars car, parked near
the body.
Seen Near Staying Scene
Trooper Hoskins said he had
little to go on in finding the
hitchhikers. He said the man
reported to have boarded a
lumber truck was seen hitch
hiking on Route 1929, about 2
miles west of the place where Mr..
Wars body was found.
Brady Buckles, who works in a
filling station near the death
scene, said he picked up9a young
Marine shortly before midnight.
Police said Mr.. Buckles told
them he picked up the Marine
about 2 miles east of the place
where the body was found and
drove him to Route is. Mr..
Buckles said the Marine told him
he was going to Pennsylvania.
Shot After Leaving Car
Police said Mr.. War, who lived
in Culpeper, was shot twice
in the head and neck-apparent-
ly after he got out of his car.
Police said marks in the gravel
and dirt indicate the victim had
been dragged a short distance.
The body was found in a ditch
alongside the highway, about 20
feet in front of the car.
Trooper Hoskins said there
was no signs of a struggle in the
car. He said Mr.. Wars identif-
cation and wallet had been
taken, along with a AS caliber
revolver the victim was believed
to have been carrying. However,
police said they found $23 in
bills in the victims shirt pocket.
Police said 1t is possible that
Mr.. War. who drove from his
job in Vienna to his home in
Culpeper about twice a week,
became sleepy and pulled of
the road and was attacked by
Ia gunman.
State police said q cartridge
from a German Luger (P-38)
was found in front of the car.
A patch of blood was found back
Of the car. Nearby was part of
a cigar believed to have been in
the victims mouth when he
was shot,
Alarm Clock in Car
Investigators said scratches
and bruises on the victims head
and face probably were the re-
suit of the fall after he was shot.
An alarm clock, set to ring at 4
am, was found in the car.
Police said it was not running.
but that Mr.. War probably was
slain about 4 am.
The victims father. Robert E.
War, a Rapidan (Va.) farmer and
sawmill operator. said his son
had an argument at the filling
station Tuesday night and had
been threatened by two men.
Mr.. Wars body was found by
RUDE Oldring. jr,. a Bridgeton.
N j., truck driver. Police said
they have not found the keys
to Mr.. Wars car.
The victim. who served in the
Army during the Korean conflict. e
was one of IA children. His sur
vivors include his wife, Delzie
Virginia. and a daughter. Donna
Jean. of Culpeper.
Services for Mr.. War will be
at 2 pm. Tuesday at the Geest
funeral home. Burial will be
at the Culpeper National Gene
terry.