Gastonia, May 28—The body of J.H. Fletcher, who was found murdered in his home cabin at Lowell late Tuesday afternoon, was still held here by undertakers tonight, no word having come from any of his relatives in Macon of Forsyth, Ga., Inquiries addressed to the latter point have failed to bring any response. Acquaintances of the dead man assert that he had often spoken of his mother and other relatives near Macon.
Sheriff Rhyne and Coroner Kincaid who visited the scene of the tragedy Wednesday report that the shots that killed Fletcher were fired through a hole in the back door of the cabin. Sheriff Rhyne declares there were powder burns around the hole.
It had been the impression that the shot was fired from the front, because the knob of the front door was scarred as if by shots. Sheriff Rhyne says that these marks are old scratches. It is history that Fletcher was called to the front door by someone and that another party fired the deadly shot from the rear.
The cabin in which Fletcher made his home is old. Evidently having been built years ago, it had not been inhabited for several years. it is of the type of old hut that may be seen anywhere on dozens of deserted farms in the state. It is generally reported around Lowell that Fletcher may have had as much as $300 in his house. It is known that he had traded horses a few days ago, and it is also said that he had recently sold a second-hand automobile. Those who knew him say that he came of a good family in Georgia, and that he owned a good farm near Forsyth.
there was some difference of opinion as to the cause of the death of Fletcher. The only mark of violence on the body was around the hip and just above the hip, where the shots had entered. Many of the shots penetrated only the skin and were easily removed. they were small number 8 shot, and it was hard to see how these small shots could have caused death, unless it was from bleeding to death, or from internal hemorrhage. The bulk of the load entered the fleshy part of the man’s hip and back. Some say that one or two shots may have penetrated the kidneys and caused death. It was at first thought he had been hit a lick in the head, but examination of the body failed to show any bruises.
Officers are working on the theory that the man was robbed for his money and are bending every effort to find out who was familiar with Fletcher’s habits and recent transactions around the Artcloth mill or in Lowell.
From page 2 of the Concord Daily Tribune, Thursday, May 29, 1924
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