Autopsy will be performed this morning by Dr. H.E. Ford, county health officer, on the body of Charley Lung, Chinese laundryman found dead in his shop on Middle street early yesterday, Coroner J.L. Hartsfield announced last night. The coroner’s theory, he said, was that the tong war in the north had some bearing on the case.
Lung’s dead body with bullet wounds in his head was found by Chief of Police A.L. Brya and a patrolman after they had forced entrance into his shop when Laura Smithers, negress, who had been employed by the Chinaman, sounded the alarm after she had reported for work and failed to get in shortly before 8 o’clock.
No Signs of Struggle
The body was found lying in a pool of blood in a small curtained bunk in the rear of the laundry shop across the street from Kafer’s bakery, one arm lying across the chest, and a .38-calibre revolver containing three loaded and two discharged cartridges lay a few inches from the hand. The bed clothing was practically undisturbed, in fact, according to the police, everything in the shop was in perfect order, there being no signs of a struggle. The doors and windows were securely fastened, the Chinaman’s safe and truck locked, and $17 in cash lay undisturbed in the cash drawer.
The jury empaneled by Coroner Hartsfield immediately after discovery of the body, acting on the evidence as stated, returned a verdict of suicide. Later in the day, however, as new evidence was uncovered, the Coroner was inclined to believe that Lung did not take his life, but that some person or persons had gained entrance and murdered the Chinaman while he slept, some time between 1 o’clock Wednesday night, when he was seen at work in his shop by passersby, and a few minutes before 8 o’clock.
The coroner said that the key to the front door of the shop was found on the floor near the door after entrance had been gained at a back window. He added also that a box of cartridges, none of which corresponded to the calibre of the pistol found by the body was found on the safe. The presence of these cartridges was admittedly puzzling.
Evidence of Murder
After the body had been turned over to an undertaker another examination was made, and on the throat were found bruises and scratches which appeared to have been left by finger nails—as if a hand had gripped it hard. This evidence, together with wounds on the man’s head—a wound on the temple, and another through the eyeball—indicating that two shots had been fired, strengthened by the statements of the Smithers woman that Lung had told her repeatedly that he “was going to be killed and robbed of everything” he had served to weaken the belief of suicide, and Coroner Hartsfield ordered an autopsy.
“On the strength of the renewal of the tong war in northern cities,” said Coroner Hartsfield, “I’m inclined to the belief that Lug either shot himself in terror of being murdered or that he was actually murdered by unknown person or persons. I am not at all convinced that it would not have been possible for some one to have entered the Chinaman’s shop unknown to him and shot him while he slept.”
An Old Bullet Hole
Mr. Hartsfield added that what appeared to be a bullet hole was found in the partition directly over the Chinaman’s bunk. He said it looked as if the rusty muzzle of a revolver had been pressed against the partition and fired. This discovery left some reasons for the suspicion that an attempt had been made before to kill Lung, he asserted.
Whether or not the tong warfare claimed Lung is a matter of serious speculation. On latest findings in the case, authorities are not inclined to pass up the possibility lightly. It would have been an easy matter for assassins to have slipped in by automobile, accomplished their purpose and fled without detection, was the view expressed.
Lung came to New Bern three months ago, coming here from Norfolk where, it was said, he has a son. Efforts were made yesterday to get in communication with him, a telegram being sent by the coroner to the establishment where he was thought to be employed.
It was learned yesterday that Lung was a Christian, being a member of First Baptist church of this city and a regular attendant at church and Sunday School. He was a member of a Norfolk church and had his membership transferred. What bearing this fact might have on the killing is not definitely known, but it is believed that it played some part.
From the front page of The New Bernian, Nov. 28, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn96086034/1924-11-28/ed-1/seq-1/#words=NOVEMBER+28%2C+1924
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