Surry-Buckingham County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News..... Murder, 1898 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ "Alexandria Gazette," Vol. 99, No. 211, Sep. 6, 1898 p. 2, col. 6 A Triple Tragedy in Surry. WAKEFIELD, VA., Sept. 6. - John Schmidt went to Surry early yesterday morning in an infuriated state of mind and procured a gallon of whisky. Then be returned to Hoffman's, shooting and killing Edward Hoffman and his son, J.T. Hoffman. It is supposed they fell out about timber which Hoffman was cutting for McLean, of Baltimore. Schmidt was shot by the sheriff's party yesterday evening. He refused to surrender and it is said was advancing on the sheriff's party when shot. He was alive when the messenger left, but is not expected to recover. Hoffman was a lumberman from Buckingham county, operating on Schmidt's place on the James river. ****************************************************************************** "Evening star" (Washington, DC), Sep. 6, 1898 p. 7, col. 7 A SHOCKING CRIME John Hofman and Son Edward Shot to Death. MURDERER KILLED BT SHERIFF'S POSSE The Messrs. Hofman Were Residents of South Washington. BODIES TO BE SENT HOME John Hofman and his son Edward of this city were murdered at their lumber camp, near Scotland, Surry county, Va., early yesterday morning. They were shot by a man named John Schmidt, who was under the influence of liquor when he committed the crime. A telegram received here last night by Mrs. Hofman, who lives at 217 9th street southeast, gave the information that the murderer was shot to death by the sheriff's posse. Mr. J.W. Kinlock, who was foreman of Hofman's lumber works, sent the telegram conveying the sad news to Mrs. Hofman and her daughter. He gave no particulars of the affair. Today another telegram saying the bodies were on their way home was received from Mr. Kinlock. Mr. Hofman's home was in South Washington at the address mentioned, his family consisting of his wife, son, daughter and himself. While he and his son spent most of their time in the lumber camp, they made occasional visits home. Only a few days ago Mrs. Hofman received a letter from her husband and son, and this sad intelligence following so closely upon the receipt of the bright and cheerful letter, proved a severe shock to both Mrs. Hofman and the daughter. The Murderer. John Schmidt, who committed the double murder, was a dissipated man, and when he made trips to Wakefield and Surry he frequently returned under the influence of liquor. Early yesterday morning he went to Surry, the county seat of Surry county, and bought a gallon of "fire water." In addition to the demijohn of the liquid he drank about as much as he could hold. When he reached Scotland his conduct was that of a wild man, and during his carouse he met and killed both men. According to the information received from Mr. Kinlock, the sheriff started in pursuit with a posse, and Schmidt was soon given a dose of the treatment he had administered to his victims. Then a coroner's inquest was of little importance, and the bodies of Mr. Hofman and son were prepared for shipment. It is expected that they will reach here on a late train this afternoon. It is thought that Schmidt became offended at something said to him about his work. The Hofmans were cutting and sawing wood for Mclean, the lumber merchant, in Baltimore. Mr. Hofman was an elder in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, in South Washington. ****************************************************************************** "Richmond Dispatch," Vol. 14,695, Sep. 6, 1898 p. 8, col. 2 Homicide in Sussex. WAKEFIELD, VA., September 5. - (Special.) - John Schmidt went to Surry early this morning in an infuriated state of mind and procured a gallon of whiskey. Then he returned to Hoffman's, shooting and killing himself and his son. It is supposed they fell out about timber which Hoffman was cutting for McLean, of Baltimore. ****************************************************************************** (Richmond) "Times," Vol. 13, No. 180, Sep. 6, 1898 p. 4, col. 5 DOUBLE MURDER IN SURRY. The Murderer Resists Arrest and is Shot by the Officers. SURRY, VA., VIA WAKEFIELD, VA., September 5. - Special - J.B. Schmidt shot and killed Edward Hoffman and son, John T. Hoffman, to-day. Schmidt was shot by a sheriff's party this evening. He refused to surrender, and, it is said, was advancing on the party when shot. He was alive when the messenger left, but was not expected to recover. Hoffman was a lumberman from Buckingham county, operating on Schmidt's place, on James river. ****************************************************************************** "Daily Press," Vol. 3, No. 214, Sep. 7, 1898 p. 4, col. 3 TWO MEN MURDERED Shocking Tragedy in Surry County. RETRIBUTION FOLLOWS Murderer Pursued by a Posse and Shot Near the Heart. Villain Curses at Every Breath Until Death Silences His Tongue. (By Telegraph.) PETERSBURG. VA., Sept. 6. - Yesterday J.B. Schmidt shot and killed Edward Hoffman and son John T. Hoffman, lumbermen from Buckingham county, operating on Schmidt's place on James river, in Surry county. Schmidt went to Hoffman's mill and deliberately shot young Hoffman seven times with a Wincheser rifle in the presence of his father, killing him instantly, and then turned upon the father. who piteously begged for his life, and shot him repeatedly until he was dead. A posse was sent to arrest Schmidt, bu he refused to surrender and was shot near the heart. He lingered until a late hour last night, when he died of his wounds, cursing at every breath. The remains of the Hoffman's were sent to their home today. They came to this State from Washington, D.C. Schmidt was a member of the Louisiana Tigers during the war, and was considered the finest shot in this section. He leaves a family. The trouble grew out of a business transaction involving the payment of money for lumber. ****************************************************************************** "Evening star" (Washington, DC), Sep. 7, 1898 p. 12, col. 4 BROUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL Bodies of John and Edward V. Hofman Returned Here. Further Particulars of the Crime of Which They Were the Innocent Victims. The bodies of John Hofman and his son, Edward V. Hofman, who were murdered near Scotland, Surry county, Va., Monday, as published in yesterday's Star, reached this city on the 3:45 o'clock train yesterday afternoon. Mr. John W. Kinlock, who was Mr. Hofman's foreman, accompanied the bodies here and had them removed to J. W. Lee's undertaking establishment. This afternoon at 3 o'clock the bodies were taken to Congressional cemetery, where relatives and friends had gathered to pay a last tribute to the dead. The Rev. John C. Bowers, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Hofman, sr., was an elder, conducted the services. Additional particulars of the triple homicide were related last night by Mr. Kinlock. John Schmidt, the slayer of the Hofmans, was a land owner in the vicinity of the lumber mill of Mr. Hofman and recently he sold the latter a strip of timber land. As had been his custom when he participated in a business transaction, he regretted that he had made the sale and imagined he had been swindled. This feeling was intensified Monday when Schmidt went to Surry and got drunk. Then, as stated yesterday, he bought an extra gallon to carry home with him. He had a Winchester rifle hanging over his shoulder when he returned to the camp, but nothing was thought of it, as it is not an unusual thing to meet the natives on the road armed in this way. When he reached the camp he brought up the subject of the recent transaction. Young Mr. Hofman, who was anxious to avoid trouble made a remark about the protection of the law. Then the intoxicated man, who evidently realized that he could not cause a fight, fired upon the younger Hofman. The latter fell, mortally wounded. His father hastened to the side of his dying son, and while there on his knees he remarked: "My God, you have killed my son." Schmidt, who had fired three shots, then raised his rifle again, and this time the elder Hofman received a fatal wound. Mr. E.C. Collins, lumber inspector for Robert McLean & Co. of Baltimore, witnessed the shooting. He would probably have been the third victim had not he escaped by entering the mill and riding away on a mule. Schmidt then went in search of Mr. Kinlock, but the latter happened to be at the spring, a safe distance from the murderer. When the sheriff learned of the affair he summoned several nen and went in search of Schmidt, who had declared he would not be taken alive. He was found at his house, and when he reached for his rifle to greet his visitors the latter riddled him with bullets. Schmidt's relatives, it is said, may cause trouble in the county, as some of them have declared their intention to avenge his death. Mr. Hofman. who was sixty years old, was very much loved by the people in Surry, and when news of his murder was received several lynching parties were started. Had Schmidt not been killed as he was he would undoubtedly, have been lynched. ****************************************************************************** "Richmond Dispatch," Vol. 14,696, Sep. 7, 1898 p. 1, col. 3 A TRIPLE KILLING. John and Edward Hoffman Shot by John B. Schmidt. LATTER ALSO MEETS DEATH. He Received Mortal Injuries While Resisting Arrest. BLOODY AFFAiR IN SURRY. The Frightful Act of a Desperate Man Who Was Frenzied With Rage - Cause of the Trouble - A Deliberately Planned Homicide WAKEFIELD, VA., September 6. - (Special.) - The bodies of John Hoffman and his son Edward were expressed from here early this morning to Washington, D.C., for burial. Their death is the result of a shocking tragedy which occurred yesterday near Swan's Point, in Surry county. It is reported that the Hoffmans, who were lumbermen originally from Buckingham county, in this State, had a contract to cut the timber from the land of John B. Schmidt, and that the latter, who was a man of very hot temper, had become offended with them about some trivial matter. The controversy involved the manner of cutting the timber, and rather than use legal means to gain what he thought were his rights, Schmidt resorted to violence. He used his famous Winchester, with which he was an expert, as a means of seeking redress. Before the tragedy he nerved himself with plenty of spirits at Surry, where he made many threats of what he could do without fear of the results. Then, going to the saw-mill of Hoffman, he, with deliberate aim, shot down the father, and then turned, and with as sure aim sent the son to his death. Not yet satisfied with his deadly work, Schmidt summoned his own son, and forced him to turn over the dead bodies of the Hoffmans and fill them with more lead. An inquest was held over the remains of Schimdt's victims, and a proper verdict rendered, after which they were prepared for shipment to Washington for burial. THE HOFFMANS STOOD WELL. The Hoffmans were quiet, law-abiding people, and were thought to be in the right by the citizens in that neighborhood, although they had not long resided there. Schmidt is spoken of as having been of a menacing disposition, and many feared coming in contact with him. As soon as the verdict of the Coroner's jury was returned the Sheriff summoned a posse and went in search of the desperate man. He was found at his home, where the posse succeeded in arresting him, but not until after he had been mortally wounded. He bore the marks of four shots from the guns of the officers, and died during the night. An inquest is being held this afternoon over his body, but it is too late to get further results from the county seat to-night. This is the most fearful tragedy that has occurred in Surry county since the poisoning of the Gray family, in the eighties. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR The following account of the terrible affair in which the Hoffmans lost their lives was received in Petersburg yesterday, through a letter addressed to a merchant of that city, and written in Surry about 4 o'clock in the morning: "The most horrible tragedy that has ever occurred in this county took place yesterday (Monday). An old gentleman and his son, Edward and John T. Hoffman, doing business under the firm name of Hoffman & Co., bought some timber on Swan's Point and also on Mount Pleasant (J.B. Schmidt's place), and were operating a saw-mill on the latter's property situated on the river. Yesterday, about 12 o'clock, Mr. Schmidt went down to the mill and deliberately shot both Mr. Hoffman and his son. He killed the son in the very beginning, and after he had shot the old gentleman once the wounded man begged him not to shoot again, but Schmidt deliberately shot time after time, each of his prostrate victims, and then made his son, Johnny, and a colored man pull the bodies around to see if they were dead. He then remarked: 'It's all right; they are dead as h-.' POSSE ORGANIZED. "About 12:30, a man came over to the Courthouse and reported what had happened. Ben Edwards at once summoned Eddie Smith, Carter Land, Tom Spratley, John Maynard, Ernest Matthews, Wilson Bohannon, Peyton Cocke, Whitmore and Dick Harvell to go over with him to arrest Schmidt. Their expedition terminated as follows: Schmidt was shot (as he reisted), by four of the deputies - John Maynard, Eddie Smith, Ernest Matthews, and Tom Spratley. "I was at Scotland when the tragedy occurred and came up late in the evening to the Courthouse, and went from there to Schmidt's. When I got to the latter's house he was lying on the bed shot through, near the heart, with a cavalry rifle ball. He was cursing with every breath died at 11 o'clock last night. "The bodies of Mr. Hoffman and his son were brought to the Courthouse and will be shipped to Washington in the morning. I cannot write you any more of the particulars now." E.E. Erikson, of Fremont, was lodged in Surry county jail to-day. He is accused of the burning of the Commercial Hotel, at Claremont, last night. The hotel was owned and conducted by his wife. ****************************************************************************** (Richmond) "Times," Vol. 13, No. 181, Sep. 7, 1898 p. 3, col. 7 HOTEL BURNED. Owner Under Arrest - J.B. Schmidt Who Killed the Hoffmans is Dead. SURRY, VA., Sept. 6. - Special. - The Commercial Hotel at Claremont, owned by Mrs. Johannah Erickson, was entirely consumed by fire this morning about 4 o'clock. E.E. Erickson, husband of the owner, was committed to jail to-day accused of the crime. J.B. Schmidt, who on yesterday shot and killed Edward and John Hoffman and was himself mortally wounded while resisting arrest, died about 11 o'clock last night. An inquest is being held over his body to-day. The bodies of the two Hoffmans were shipped to Washington, D.C., to the residence of the wife of John Hoffman to-day by train. TETTINGTON, VA., Sept. 6. - Special. - There were several narrow escapes from the burning hotel at Claremont. Mr. James H. Dillard lost all of his wearing apparel, one party lost $200 in money burned up in his clothes. The building was supposed to have been set on fire. J.C. Schmidt, who was fatally shot in Surry county yesterday by a sheriff's posse while resisting arrest, was a Frenchman, from Alsace Lorraine and was a member of the famous Louisiana Tigers during the war. He was looked upon as an honest and hard-working man, but dangerous when in a passion. A late report says Schmidt is dead. ****************************************************************************** "The Times" (Washington, DC), Sep. 7, 1898 p. 2, col. 1-2 TRAGEDY OF THREE LIVES Two Washington Men Murdered in a Lumber Camp. THE ASSASSIN SHOT DOWN John H. and Edward V. Hoffman, Father and Son, the Victims of Drunken Anger - One Was an Elder in a Local Church - Female Lynching Posse Organized to Avenge the Crime. The remains of John Hoffman, a prominent lumber merchant, who resided at 217 Ninth Street southwest, and his son, Edward V. Hoffman, both of whom were shot and instantly killed by John Schmidt, a drunken land owner, at the Surrey County. Va., Monday morning last were brought to the city yesterday afternoon, reaching here at 3:15 o clock. They were taken to Lee's undertaking establishment on Pennsylvania Avenue. J.W. Kinlock, Mr. Hoffman's foreman, accompanied the remains to Washington and furnished the particulars of the tragedy to the bereaved family and numerous friends of the deceased in South Washington. Mr. Kinlock, himself, providentially escaped the vengeful anger of the assassin, who after committing the double murder, was looking for him when frightened by the approach of a number of lumbermen. Beginning of the Trouble. Schmidt owned quite an extensive tract bf timber land near the lumber camp and sawmill of Mr. Hoffman, and some time ago the latter negotiated for the purchase of a part of it. The deal was consummated a few days ago, and the Hoffmans took possession. Schmidt has had a reputation in the neighborhood of being a disagreeable man to deal with, especially in business matters. After every transaction he would get drunk and then arrive at the conclusion that he had been defrauded, and would go out looking for means to get even. This was the case after he sold his land. He went into the village of Scotland, where he drank as much as his skin would hold, and then, re-enforced with a gallon demijohn full of lumber camp liquor, he armed himself with a Winchester and went to the camp. There was nothing very belligerent in his appearance when he first arrived there, and he accosted young Mr. Hoffman pleasantly. "Where's your father, Ed.?" he asked. "He's up at the mill," the son replied. "What do you want?" "I want to fix up this deal we've just made," said Schmidt. Young Hoffman replied that the deal had been fixed and the papers signed, and asked Schmidt what further details he wished to arrange. "Well, there's something else, and I want to fix it," answered Schmidt, be coming angry. "Very well," replied the son, "I'll call father." Mr. Hoffman appeared at his son's call and walked down to where the two were standing. Schmidt had his rifle over his shoulder, but this was not an unusual thing, and did not excite any alarm. There were several men standing within sight, and no one suspected that there was anything amiss. The Tragedy. Schmidt and the elder Hoffman entered into conversation about the land transaction and Schmidt became very angry and abusive. Finally the son said: "Well, the law protects us here and we do not expect to have any trouble." With an oath the enraged drunkard took his gun from his shoulder and saying, "I've got something here for you," fired. Young Hoffman fell backwards dead, with a bullet through his breast. His father ran over to the prostrate figure, exclaiming, "My God, have you killed him?" and knelt by his side. He remained in that position an instant and just as he raised himself Schmidt fired another fatal shot, exclaiming: "Yes, you, and I've got another here for you." Mr. Hoffman also fell, mortally wounded and expired in a few minutes. Schmidt faced the few men who were near, his rifle slung across his arm, ready to be leveled at anyone who should attempt to stop him, and shouted: Looking for Kinlock. "Where's Kinlock? I've got to get square with him, too." Fortunately Mr. Kinlock had gone to the spring, which was some distance away, for some water, and did not return until a few minutes after the shooting. A young lumber inspector from Baltimore, who was near, next attracted the attention of the murderer, who started after him. The inspector ran through themill, however, and escaped on a mule. Schmidt then announced that he had fourteen shots left, one of which he would reserve for himself in case he was caught. Several persona appeared in various parts of the camp at this juncture, attracted by the noise of the shooting, and Schmidt disappeared. The bodies of the father and son were taken into the mill and Mr. Kinlock, on his return, sent a telegram to Mrs. Hoffman, in this city, conveying the news. The greatest indignation prevailed among the lumbermen, by whom both Mr. Hoffman and his son were greatly respected, and if the posse which was immediately formed had caught him, he would have been hanged to a tree. As it was, however, a more summary fate was in store for him. Swift Retribution. Kinlock sent work to the sheriff immediately after the shooting, and a posse of four was formed. The sheriff and his deputies proceeded to Schmidt's house, and saw the murderer sitting calmly in his front yard, with his rifle leaning against the door, several yards from him. Schmidt had announced that he would not be taken alive and the sheriff, halting his deputies at the front gate, called on him to give himself up. For answer the murderer ripped out a string of oaths and started toward his rifle. There was a simultaneous outpouring of Winchesters, and Schmidt raised his hands above his head and fell by the side of the gun which he reached too late. The body was turned over to friends of the murderer and quickly interred. A remarkable feature of the case was the action of the women in Scotland and vicinity, most of them wives of lumbermen who had received many kindnesses at the hands of the Hoffmans. As soon as they heard of the murder they assembled in the village, and after some debate they decided that the law of the county would be too slow to adequately avenge the crime, and decided to take the matter into their own hands. Female Lynching Posse. A crowd of the most courageous got together and expressed the determination to go to the home of the murderer, take him from his house at whatever cost and lynch him. They had started on their way, despite the efforts of their more timid sisters to discourage them, when the were met by the members of the sheriff's posse, who assured them that they work they intended to do had already been well done. Mrs. Hoffman and her daughter were prostrated by tho news of the terrible tragedy. They had received a letter from the elder Hoffman only a few days before and were expecting him home in a short time. Arrangements for the funeral were completed last night. The remains of father and son will be taken from Lee's undertaking rooms at 3 o'clock this afternoon and conveyed to the Congressional Cemetery, where the funeral services will be held. The Rev. John C. Bowers, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, in which the senior Hoffman was an elder, will conduct the services. ****************************************************************************** Additional information: John HOFMAN & wife Susan E. (1840-1909) share a gravestone. (Find a Grave Mem. #134013365) Edward B. HOFMAN shares a gravestone with his brother & sister. (Find a Grave Mem. #134013727) SCHMIDT may be identical with the John B. (b. ca. 1831, France), a shoemaker who appears in the 1880 Census in New Orleans. His birth name may have been Johann Baptiste. Eric Edward & "Hannah" Johanna (SILFERBERG) ERICKSON are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Plattburgh, Clinton Co., NY. Their obits are posted with their Find a Grave Mems., #173544214 & #173544333. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/newspapers/18980906ag.txt