### Narrative Summary of the Obituary W. Linwood Bradshaw, 49, was found dead on 6 Dec 1934 near Franklin, Virginia. He was discovered in a ditch with head injuries. Police suspected murder. Bradshaw left home at 6 PM to visit Scott's store. Thomas Gautress found his body at 6:45 PM. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Funeral services for W. Linwood Bradshaw were held on 8 Dec 1934 at 3:30 PM from his home near Franklin. Burial took place in Poplar Springs cemetery. ### Transcript Walter Linwood (Lin) Bradshaw 27 FEB 1885 - 6 DEC 1934 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bradshaw Funeral Today; Cause of Death Unknown Franklin, Va., Dec. 8 — Funeral services for W. Linwood Bradshaw, who was found dead on the Sedley-Franklin highway about 4 miles from here Thursday night were conducted at 3:30 this afternoon from his home near Franklin. Burial was in Poplar Springs cemetery. Meanwhile, Sheriff T. B. Bell is continuing an investigation of the mysterious death. Mr. Bradshaw was found lying in a ditch with a fractured skull and a bruise over the right eye. The hit and run theory was at first advanced but this was later discarded because of the condition of the body. Foul play was next taken into consideration and is still being considered, but no motive for the crime can be unearthed. The man had no known enemies, his clothes and money were untouched. A formal inquest to settle cause of the death is to be Monday or Tuesday. Norfolk, Virginia The Ledger-Star 08 Dec 1934, Sat Page 14 ---------------------------- Franklin Farmer Found Dead; Police Suspect Murder W. Linwood Bradshaw Slain By Blows On Head, Authorities Think Franklin, Dec. 6-W. Linwood Bradshaw, 49, was found dead tonight in a ditch near his home four miles from here on the road to Sedley, and police are working on the assumption that he was murdered. On first reports, the case was thought to have been one involving a hit and run driver, but when it was discovered that there were no marks of such an accident on the road or at the spot where the body was found investigation was turned to follow the murder theory. Mr. Bradshaw ate supper and left home at 6 o'clock to walk half mile up to Scott's store on business. Thomas Gautress, of Berlin, Southampton County, discovered the body at 6:45, 800 yards from the store. He summoned Sgt. E. O. Forbes, of the State Police, and Sheriff T. B. Bell. Examination revealed that Mr. Bradshaw had been struck from behind. There were fractures in the left side of the skull and over the right eye. Working in the dark, officers were unable tonight to find place along the road where there were signs of an attack, and said they had not been able to find the dead man's hat, indicating that he was not killed where he was found. Further search of the scene was put off until daylight. Mr. Bradshaw is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Peele Bradshaw; five children, Margaret, Walter, Robert, Lawrence and Elizabeth Bradshaw; four brothers, John, LaFayette and Thomas Bradshaw, of Nurneyville, Nansemond County, and Floyd Bradshaw, of Suffolk; and three sisters, Mrs. G.W. Wade of Franklin and Mrs. Charles Garner and Mrs. Wilbur Vaughan of Portsmouth. Norfolk, Virginia The Virginian-Pilot 07 Dec 1934 Page 26 Article clipped from The Virginian-Pilot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 27 FEB 1885 - Southampton County, Virginia] [Death: 6 DEC 1934 - Southampton County, Virginia] ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Walter Linwood (Lin) Bradshaw | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Age | 49 | | Birth | 27 Feb 1885; Southampton County, Virginia | | Death | 6 Dec 1934; near Franklin, Virginia | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |---------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------| | Walter Linwood Bradshaw | Decedent | Near Franklin, Virginia | | Gertrude Peele Bradshaw | Wife | Not specified | | Margaret Bradshaw | Daughter | Not specified | | Walter Bradshaw | Son | Not specified | | Robert Bradshaw | Son | Not specified | | Lawrence Bradshaw | Son | Not specified | | Elizabeth Bradshaw | Daughter | Not specified | | John Bradshaw | Brother | Nurneyville, Nansemond County | | LaFayette Bradshaw | Brother | Nurneyville, Nansemond County | | Thomas Bradshaw | Brother | Nurneyville, Nansemond County | | Floyd Bradshaw | Brother | Suffolk | | Mrs. G.W. Wade | Sister | Franklin | | Mrs. Charles Garner | Sister | Portsmouth | | Mrs. Wilbur Vaughan | Sister | Portsmouth | ### Publication Details - **Publication Date:** Saturday, December 8th, 1934 - **Sources:** Norfolk Ledger-Star (08 Dec), Virginian-Pilot (07 Dec)