Richmond planet. [volume], July 14, 1928, Image 1

About Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938

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VOLUME XLV, NO. 36 * Wil RICHMOND .VIRGINIA. SATURDAY, JULY 14 1928 PRICE, FIVE CENTS.
Sylvester Medley is Indicted For Murder.
^ _ _ _ . ... ... ... ... ... . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... A ^
AVER ROBT, MILLER MURDERED VESTER NELSON
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Sent on to the Grand Jury--Woman Shot Now Dead
Robert Miller appeared in the Po
lice Court before Judge John L. In
gram last Wednesday morning
charged# with the murder of Vester
Nelson, who was shot by him on May
28, 1928, and who died July 2, 1928.
Attorney George L. Oliver appeared
counsel for the defense. After a
preliminary hearing, Judge Ingrain
certified the case to the grand jury.
Ci*v of Richmond, Ya., 'o-wi::
Vn inquisition taken in this city
before me, Dr. James M. Whitfield,
coroner, this LOth day of July. 1928.
upon the view of the body of Vester
Nelson.
Leslie Dunn was sworn and de
posed: I live at 111 S<»ut: • Li
s'n Street, and wotk at 1'acsai'eaae
ami Ohio yards, on South Sevoirt
Street. Vester Nelson was" shot at
iier home on East Canal Street, in
this city, some time in May lam. I
was in the barber shop in the front
part of the house, fie nr y Lawrence
and Oscar Jackson were ai o in the
barber shop. 1 heard the report of
a pistol and immediately after I saw
Robert Miller come from the room
in the rear of the shop, run through
the shop next door.
After Robert went out I heard
some one in the back room say, ”Oh,
Robert, you have shot me.” Five or
six women went into the room, but
I did not know any of them and did
not go into the back room till the
ambulance came. When I went in
I saw Vester Nelson, she was shot
at the time I saw her. She was
taken to the hospital in the ambu
lance.
LESLIE DUNN.
Vincent Nelson was sworn and de
posed. I live at 117 East Canal
Street, in this city. I run a barber
shop at this number. Vester Nelson
was my wife. She was shot at home
on May 28, 1928. She died in St.
Philip’s Hospital on July 2, 1928,
I was not at home at the time of the
sooting.
she told me Robert Miller shot her
because she refused to give him some
money which he asked for. She said
he shot her with a .32 Smith & Wes
son pistol, belonging to me. She
said no one was in the room at the
time. She said that Miller tried to
make friends with her, but that she
refused and said she would tell me
and ordered him to get out of the j
house and then he shot her.
VINCENT NELSON.
Melvin Craddock was sworn and
deposed. I live at 112 Scho ' Street.’
1 run a tailor and cleaning shop at
lto East Canal Street. After the
shooting of Vester Nelson, Robert
Miller ran into my shop and asked
me to phone for the ambulance, that
Vester Nelson got shot. He did not
say how she got shot or who shot
her. I phoned for the ambulance
and Robert went out of my shop be
fore it came.
MELVIN CRADDOCK.
Ethel Crews was sworn and de-'
posed: I live at 203 South Second
Street. Robert Miller called me
while he was standing on Vester Nel
son’s porch. I was on the street—
Second Street. I went into Vester’s I
house. She had been shot. She told
me she shot herself. She told me to
put away her important things. I
put away Nelson’s clothes, Vester’s
pocketbook and picked up a pistol
from the floor and put it in the
wardrobe. In Vester’s room, while
I was there, were Baby Sis, Julia
Mai*sh and Mr. Craddock and some
others, whose names I do not know.
Vester was lying on the bed when I
went in. The room was in disorder.
There was no evidence of any strug
gle or fight.
Oscar Jackson, who had told the
coroner that he did not know any
thing about the affair, found him
self in a peculiar predicament when
Sergeant Gentry wanted to know
why he did not testify to what he
had told him. His reply was that
Vincent had told him not to say
anything about it.
Henry Lawrence was sworn and
deposed: I live at 2 East Canal
Street. At the time of the shooting
of Y'ester Nelson 1 was in the barber
shop, where she lived. When I heard!
AS -/►ut; RoV-erb—
came out behind me and went into
the cleaning and pressing shop next
door and told Mr. Craddock to cal!
the ambulance because Mrs. Vincent!
had got shot.
HENRY LAWRENCE.
Coroner’s Statement.
V -'er Nelson, colored, female,]
married, 26 years old. .She ha; a!
round wound, said *o be a bullo*:
wound, in the middle line of the i
front of the abdomen, near the end]
o; the breast bone. The autopsy
showed that the bullet went though j
the liver, into the cavity of the rigntj
chest, broke the ninth rib near the;
middle. The bullet was removed by
the surgeon from the right side near
the break in the rib.
The bullet was lost at the hospital.
There was a large abscess in the
liver in the track of the bullet. There
was pus in the abdominal cavity, in
the chest cavity, the right lung col
lapsed. There was a suppurating
I wound in -the right side where the
[bullet had been removed. This
woman died from exhaustion follow
ing and caused bv the bullet wound.
JAS. M. WHITFIELD. M. D.,
Coroner.
iSfr :. ■ ' i
IDEAL ANNIVERSARY CELE
BRATION
The 16th Anniversary of the Na
tional Ideal Benefit Society of Rich
mond District will be celebrated Sun
day, July 15, 1928, at 3:30 P. M. at
the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church,
corner Duval and St. John streets.
The pastor, Rev. A. W. Brown, will
deliver the Anniversary sermon.
A spicy address will be made by
Mr. A. W. Holmes, founder. Subject,
“The Growth of the Order.” The
National Ideal Choir will render spe
cial music for the occasion. The
MALE members will olease meet at
the Ideal Hall, 210 E. Clay St., at 2
o’clock and march to the church. The
female members are asked to meet in
the basement of the church at 2:30
P. M. ALL MEMBERS ARE RE
QUESTED TO WEAR REGALIA.
A live program will be rendered. The
public is cordially invited.
A MILK BAPTISM
i
One of our promient colored at
torneys had a unique experience last
week. He had an important engage
ment with another attorney at the
Law Building and was on his way ;
to go there. Passing a refrigerator I
in his own home, he decided to help
himself out of the ice box. He
opened the door and with the
pressure of the ice behind it, the
pitcher overturned and the entire
contents, good buttermilk, splashed
upon him, wetting him from his col- '
lar to his shoes. There was nothing
to do. but to make a complete change :
of apparel, shoes and socks included. 1
By request we are omitting the name,
but then you will know. He is a :
"big eater”.
Mr. John H. Jones is sick at his :
icme, 114 E. 18th St. Southsido.;
1
Henrico County Grand Jury Acts
Prcmptly—Graphic Scene at
Preliminary Hearing.
Judge Pitt (Certified tease-**Attorney Moss Asks
top (Commission of Lunacy.
(Special by John Mitchell. Jr.)
The grand jury of Henrico County
Circuit Court met at rhe courthouse
in this c'ly Monday at 10:00 A. M.
in special session, with Judge
Julien Gunn presiding. A true bill
was found and Sylvester Medley in
dicted for murder. His trial was set
l’ci July 31, 1928. •
I witnessed one of the most re
markable scenes last Friday morn
ing. July 6ch, 1928 ever staged in
any court in this commonwealth,
even though it was a Police Court
of Henrico County, Va. Sylvester
.Medley was to have a preliminary
hearing upon a charge of murder.
He had shot and killed a whit©
youth, 16 years of age; shot and
seriously wounded a Mrs. Nellie L.
Haskins; shot and wounded Henry
F. Grimmell. his employer; and
shot at, without wounding, Evelyn
Haskins, the young and comely
daughter of Mrs. Haskins. This
took place Saturday, June 30\ 1928
at about 6 A. M. t
ON OTHER BUSINESS.
A crowd filled the court-room. I
had thought that they were there,
this array of white and colored folks
on account of this sensational new
ing, but after Judge A. Taylor Pitt
had ascended the bench and pro
ceeded with the regular docket, I
found out that these people had
other business and when they had
transacted it. proceeded to go about
their business. Some of the hear
ings were grotesquely humorous. .
A MOTHER'S DEVOTION.
Thnse cases out of the way, the
court-room was cleared. A few mo
merits later Sheriff Seay appeared
leading a hoy’ a youth with a hand
cuff on his wrist. He sank into a
seat at the desk beside his counsel,
Attorney Charles W. Moss, while
his mother went over to him and
threw her arms around him and gave
him a long drawn kiss, while tho
dark skinned individual nestled on
her breast. This over, the witnesses
were called and sworn. I had seen
two white females, young ladies, en
ter the court-room and take a seat
on a front bench. Both were fault
lesslv attired in white, while one of
them leaned upon the other.
THE LEADING WITNESS.
Miss Evelyn Haskins, the young
sister of the murdered youth, was
to furnish the setting for the begin
nin? of this remarkable ease. When
called to the witness chair she was
overcome with emotion and a move
ment was made to have her retire
in order to permit her to regain her i
composure. She did not consent' to
this. There was silence in the court
room. Judge Pitt’s gaze rested upon
The witness Right across from her,
with his head and face partially
shielded by both hands sat Sylvester
Medley. His dark complexion and
(Continued on page 4)
Shepherds Pay $2,750.00
in Death i2iaims
The following death claims have
been paid by the .Grand Secretary
Treasurer:
Theodore Williams, Ever
green, Ya.$100.00
Priscilla Briggs, Chester,.Ba. 20.00
Pollie Anderson. Richmond. 100.00
Walter Meadows, Red Star,
... W. Va. 100.00
W.A. White. Hcwardsville Va. 100.00
E. T. Jenk’ns, Richmond.. 100.00
Id;. Lewis, Gnonville. Va.. . 50.00
S.vah Wrighl, Unionville Va.100.00
John D. Gray, Phila., Pa... 25.00
Hannah Nicholas. Enonville 100.00*
Maggie Benjamin, Richmond. 100.0j
Henrietta Patterson, Arvonia
Va. 75.00
Francis Hocker, Manteo, Va. 60.00
P. B. Jasper, Glen jean’ Va. 76.00
Roosevelt Stanton, Arvonia Va 20.00
Nannie Lawson, Pliila., Pa.. 75.0'0
Charles Brice’ Richmond... 100.00
Alice M. Ford, Richmond.. 100.00
Annie Massie, Harrisonburg,
Va. 100.00
Carrie Scott, Prospect Va.. 100.00
Amelia Harris, Dillwyn. Va. 10$.00
Nannie Fosque, Wash.. D.C. 100.00
Hezekiah Johnson, Richmond 100.Oo'
Carrie Moss. Granite Springs
Va.’.100.00
Annie Davis. Saluda. Va.... 100.00
Lucy Ann Johnson. Hampton
^ Va.’. 100.00
Hattie Page, Richmond ..... 100.00
Virginia Banks. Sahula. Va.100.00 |
Thomas Quarles. Glen Jean.
W. Va. 100.00
Olivia Allen. Richmdnd ... 10b.00
Febeeoa Cabell. Alccma, Va. 50.00
Garrett Fleming. R'chmond 60.00
Pearl W’lson. Devil’s Fork
W. Va. 40.00
Berkley's Progressive Fold held its
first annual exercises Sunday. July
Sill at the Mt. 01ivof Baptist Church ,
Dr. J. Andrew Bowler. Pastor. A j
fine street parade preceded made up
of the Shepherds Bend. Alpha Com- i
pany. Alpha Company, Unity Com- ,
pany. Purity Company and the
Juvenile Deptirtment. An excellent j
showing was made bv these m Iftary j
units, though the hea^ had a wilwr
ing effect on the marchers. They bore
up in a way that reflected great
credit- upon the Order.
*A splendid program was presented
with Mrs. Mattie Brannett presiding
in a verv pleasing and commendable
manner.’ The Mt. Olivet Choir ren
dered splendid music. Dr. J. An
(Continued on page four.)
Y I
Madam Anna Addison formerly of.
this citv but new living 'n Phila
delphia is spending three weeks -with
her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott
W. Athey, 1104 TV Marshal St. She
wiil be glad to see any of her old
fiiends.
RICHMOND MINISTER RECEIVES
j CALLS
Rev. J. A. Brinkley, for three
years and three months pastor of
what is now the Mosby Memorial
Baptist Church, has been offered the
Deanship of the Theological Depart
ment of Benedict College, Columbia,
S. C. Benedict College is an A
grade college and ope of the lead
ing schools supported and managed
by the Baptist Home Mission Society
of New York. It is a most attrac
tive offer.
A few' days ago Rev. Mr. Brink
ley also received a unanimous call
to the pastorate of the Grove Bap
tist Church, Portsmouth, Va. This
is the church made prominent in
Baptist! ranks by that prince of
preachers and pioneer leaders, Dr.
H. L. Barco, is reputed to have a
membership of one thousand and
offers unlimited possibilities to a man
with a vision. Both offers are under
advisement and no decision has been
reached.
Rev. J. A. Brinkley is a graduate
from both the College and Theo
logical Departments of Virginia
Union University with the degrees of
B. A., and B. D., and was recently
honored by his Alma Mater with
the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
By his foresight, quick decision,
prompt action and untiring effort he
succeeded in housing the erstwhile
new Baptist Church in one of the
handsomest and most modern houses
of worship in the South, the name of
which per his suggestion was changed
to the Mosby Memorial Baptist
Church.
I
Lone Star Large, No. 1340, G. U.
0. of 0. F., held their installation of;
olfieers Wednesday night, July 4th,
in the new Odd Fellows Hall on1
North Third Street. The following
officers were installed:
E. S.—T. W. Pendleton.
V. G.—Abraham Atkins.
N. G.—Rev. James 1. Hudson.
P. N. G.—Fred Green.
N. F.—James Posby.
R. S. to N. G.—Robert Howlett.
L. S. to N. G.—Roosevelt Man
grum.
MOTOR FROM BRADDOCK, PA.
Mrs. Sarah Mitchell, Mr. Seward
Velar and her grandson. William
Brooks, motored from Braddock. Pa.,
and have been spending the week at
Mrs. Valentines. 518 N. Fourth
Street. Mrs. Mitchell is vapidly re
cuperating from a recent il.nc.:.
They are returning home today. .
National Ideal Society
Stages a Great Rally
A. W. Holmes the Gehtrai Figure
Mombers En thusiastic**Mrs.
Leila Williams Bankett
(2harms Audience.
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NATIONAL IDEAL SOCIETY
HOLDS GREAT MEETINGS IN
norfoln and Newport
NEWS
On Thursday night. June 2Sth, the
membership of the National Ideal
Benefit Society of Norfolk District
turned out in large numbers at the
Red .Men’s Hall, the occasion being
their membership campaign which
was continued until July 30th. This
was a most enthusiastic meeting,
with interest at its height and the
largest attendance of any other
previous occasion.
In the absence of the Supreme
Master and founder, Mr. A. W.
Holmes, an address was delivered by
Mrs. Lelia W. Bankett, National
Lecturer. Mrs. Clara Holland served
as Mistress of Ceremonies. Deputy
S. C. Jackson and others made spicy
remarks. i
Friday, June 29th, a great meet
ing was held in Newport News at
Zion Baptist Church, Rev. C. E.
Jones, D. D., pastor. Deputy Cora L.
Jenkins had marshaled her forces in
such a manner that, despite the down
pour of rain, the main auditorium of
the church was well filled with mem
bers of the Order and their friends.
An entertaining program was
rendered. The principal speaker,
Hon. A. W. Holmes, was at his best.
His rich experience, strong character
and business qualifications easily i
class him among the most noted and
highly respected men in the country.
In his address, he laid great em
phasis on the help that the Order
gives, nui. only to its members, but
to others when in great need and
deep distress. To further sub
stantiate this statement, he gave the
following citation as evidence of
what the National Ideal Benefit
Society will do to aid and finance
worthy members of the race:
Down in Surry County, Virginia,
lives an aged man named Mr. Bolden
Morris, who owns 419 acres of land,
on which stand two old buildings.
To one is attached a deal of history
and is known as the Rolfe House. It
is indeed interesting to know that
this house was built in the year 1653,
by Thomas Rolfe, the son of Poca
hontas.
About two years or more ago, the
owner found himself greatly eneum
Ideal Benefit Society. It came to his
he sought refuge in the National
Ireal Benefit Society. It came to his
rescue, paid off the mortgage of eight
thousand dollars ($8,000), and thus
saved him from a great calamity and
protected him from his would-be de
stroyers of peace and happiness.
Very recently, Mr. Bolden nego
tiated with Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin,
director of Restoration Work at Wil
liamsburg, Va., who is representing
one of the world’s greatest financiers
and philanthropists, Mr. John D.
Rockefeller, and succeeded in dis
posing of twenty acres of land on
which sets the Rolfe House. This
will be maintained as a Historic
Shrine.
From this transaction, the owner
(Continued page 4)
Golored Men Organize
“Al” Smith for President***Dr.
A. M. Bowles Leads Democrats
Interviewing colored folks is a
task not so easily accomplished. Cer
tain prominent colored men hei’e are
ardent supporters of Governor Alfred
E. Smith, of New York, for Presi
dent. Some others, while favoring
him, are not so sure that he can
overcome the handicaps and run suc-j
cessfully in the coming contest. It
was soon after the news had come
that the Houston Convention had
named “Al” Smith, of New York,
and Joseph T. Robinson, of Arkansas,
as presidential candidates, that I
called on Dr. A. M. Bowles, the suc
cessful pharmacist at Third and Clay
Streets.
“What do vou think of the ticket,
doctor,” I asked. “It is a winning
ticket. I shall support it. An Al
Smith Club was organized right here
yesterday and I am president of it.
This was surprising information to
me. I saw Dr. George W. White, the
well-known physician and surgeon,
and he expressed the same opinion.
Dr. Leon A. Reid announced his in
tention to support the Democratic
ticket, while not being sure that it
could win. Dr. L. D. Blaney was
uncertain as to just how the matter
W’ould come out, but thought Smith
would poll a large vote. S. W.
Robinson, Ji\, the real estate dealer,
was for the ticket and he believed
it would win.
Mr. B. A. Cephas could not see
how A1 Smith could outrun Herbert
Hoover and he said so. D. P. Bragg,
a leading real estate dealer, thought
(Continued on page 8)
Rev. G. W. Lewis, pastor Clark
Memorial M. E. Church, will deliver
the summer baccalaureate sermon at
A. and I. State College, Sunday, July
8th, at 3:30 P. M. The academic
procession, which will precede the
sermon, will include in the line of
march the president, members of the
faculty and more than a hundred
graduates from the several depart
ments of the institution. Commence
ment exercises will be held Friday,
July 13th, at 10 A. M., in the col
lege auditorium.
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