Death of a Highwayman.
--Between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock yesterday morning, as
Mr. Beverly J. Jordan, of
Henrico county was returning to his residence on
Union Hill from this city, he was waylaid by one or two thieves who attempted to murder him in order to get possession of ten or twelve thousand dollars, which he was supposed to have upon his person.
Mr. Jordan, it seem passed down Broad at every night to the new Trinity Church, when he took the road leading across
Doran's.
Hill, which led to his house.
On Tuesday night he had gotten by the most dreary spot on his route without seeing anything to attract his attention.
Soon after getting on the hill he saw a man approaching him, and in order to be prepared for any emergency, draw his revolver and carried it in his hand.
When getting near the than who was approaching,
Jordan stepped off to the light of the path.
When the two got directly opposite the robber halted, perceiving which,
Jordan attempted to turn to ascertain in the cause, as neither had spoken.
As he did to the robber fired, the had striking
Jordan on the right side, and being fired obliquely, traced one of his ribs around to the neighborhood of the back bone, where it lodged.
Jordan instantly fired his pistol two or three times, when he perceived his antagonist had fallen.
Almost immediately after the firing
Jordan saw another man advancing upon him, and as his pistol was then empty he ran in the direction of home, screaming loudly for help.
This third party fired twice at
Jordan, and then took to his heels.
As soon as some of the neighbors could procure lights they went to
Jordan's assistance, and learning from him all that had taken place, repaired to the spot where the firing had commenced and there found the dead body of a man.
Mr. Jordan had a physician called to him who promptly extracted the ball, and pronounced his wound not a fatal one.
Yesterday morning, at an early hour,
Justice Baker, attended by
Constable Robinson, assembled a jury to hold an inquest.
Soon after they met, a man, who gave his name as —
Martin made his appearance and claimed to know the deceased.
He said his name was John Elder, a member of the same cavalry company, now being organized near Camp lee, to which he belonged — that the hat the de words was his, (
Martin's) and that on the evening before he had loaned that hat to
Wm. Cummings.
He further stated that be (
Martin) had been at Camp Lee for three days; that he was then direct from the camp, and that be boarded with
Alex. Tomlin, on
Union Hill.
Thinking it probable that
Martin knew more of the affair than he had made public,
Messrs. Pensley,
Rock and
Robinson were directed take him into custody, and to arrest
Cummings if he could be found.
The jury examined the body of the diseased and found that one of the balls had entered the lower part of his head, near the right ear, penetrated the brain, and producing instant.
death. They then adjourned to meet again on Friday next.
John Elder, aged about twenty years, was released from the Penitentiary of
Virginia about five months since where he served out his time for robbery.
He was known to the police as a creature of desperate character, capable of any crime.
He has long been looks upon as a garroter and the police have endeavored to drive him from this city, but have failed to do so. That the remainder of his gang could meet with a similar fate is the wish of every right thinking man., for there seems to be no doubt they knew
Mr. Jordan's h knew his time of going home, knew that he generally carried large ms of money about him, and knowing that he went armed.
determined to murder him before he could suspect their designs, and then to rob him and make their escape.
At a late hour yesterday evening we were informed that the man who accompanied.
Elder in his attempt to rob
Mr. Jordan, was round death at some point on 24d street.
The truth of this report we are not prepared to vouch for, atshould it prove true we think the community has been very fortunate in getting rid of two such characters.
