Frances Lillian Madison was born 27 Jun 1863 in King Williams County, VA. To Charles James Madison (1835-1892) & Lucy Temple Walker (1844-1904).
I found some newspaper articles, they say she was found in the reservoir close to the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA. She had a wound on the right side of her face by her eye. She had been choked. She was pregnant later it was said to be a boy. I am not sure how this was found out or how far along she was.
I attached newspaper articles that have lots of details that I found very interesting.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/72176551/?match=1&clipping_id=179992317
The man accused of Fannie's murder was her cousin, Thomas J. Cluverius a lawyer, who was engaged to another women.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/1015013947/?match=1&clipping_id=179993063
There were many letters and notes found that these two had written each other. Fannie kept everything.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/161602095/?match=1&clipping_id=179993183
Circumstantial evidence at it's best played to his conviction and hanging. There was a Watch key found near the crime scene, but the jeweler was not allowed to open the watch with it to see if it in fact was Thomas. Then there was an old man and a boy who delivered notes back and forth to them while Fannie was staying at the American Hotel. Neither of these people could be found for questioning.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/866601205/?match=1&clipping_id=179993396
Execution: Hung by the neck for 10 minutes
Newspaper below has the account of the event that thousands stood all round to watch, so many they had to stand on the surrounds hills to see.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/605097744/?match=1&clipping_id=179994976
His last words and I think the only time he spoke, as he did not take the stand, was "I am Innocent."
Such a sad story.
Fannie's Find-A-Grave Memorial is this link below, her son's memorial is also there.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129377304/fannie_lillian-madison
The coroner that it might of been suicide at first but signed the death certificate as murder.
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