Buckingham County Murder
On December 4, 1911, Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch announced a shocking murder in Buckingham County:
BRUTAL MURDER
STIRS CITIZENS
State and County Together
Offer $350 for Slayer of
Curtis Branch.
Arvonia, Va., December 3—Officers and citizens of the upper end of Buckingham county are putting forth every effort to locate and capture the bold thief and burglar who so brutally murdered the old Confederate soldier, Curtis Branch, at Manteo, on last Monday night. The reward offered by the Governor, at the instigation of Commonweath’s Attorney Edmund W. Hubbard, has been supplemented by the county Board of Supervisors until the total amount offered is now $350. Besides the work of local authorities, the United States government is expected to send a detective to help ferret out the crime, as the robbery which followed the murder, included the looting of the post-office at Manteo and the carrying away of post-office funds and stamps. As yet those who are working upon the case are unwilling to give out any information, though it is known that there are suspects of the crime. The murder was the most brutal and revolting known in this section since the two Stewart brothers were murdered and burned [at] their home three years ago.
To Be Continued . . . .
slate river ramblings . . . . 
How about 1908 my two great uncles, William and Charles Thomas. I think they were involved in an incident around Arvonia around that time.
Danny: In a few weeks, I’ll put up a series of posts covering the story of William and Charles Thomas. It’s quite a story! Joanne
Danny: The story of the murder of the Stewart brothers has turned into an epic (posts begin in June). I’m saving story of the Thomas brothers and the Arvonia crime spree for a later date. It’s a long complicated tale, as well. If you have any family stories about it, please contact me at jlyeck@gmail.com. Joanne
so how ’bout those poor Stewart brothers? I couldn’t find anything in a quick search.
Jeremy, Be patient! The sad story of the Stewart brothers will take up several posts. Late May? Early June? Joanne