Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-11-08
SUPPOSED MURDER.

their productions in this paper.''
SUPPOSED MURDER.
We give the following story as it was re-
lated by gentleman from the country. The
appalling discovery, tile legal proceedings,
and the testimony mentioned in the course of
az, we have heard from another source; but
feel inclined to believe thatcher connexior
with past occurrences, and the occurrences
themselves, have received strong colorng
from the ilnaginations OF DUR correspondent:
About thirty years ago, a small village was
built up in one of the newly settled counties
in the interior Of New York. BY some enter
lprising individuals. among whom was Scotch
merchant by the name Of W. He was
an unmarried man, about thirty years Of age,
Of some education, frank and social in his
disposition, but somewhat addicted to the
bottle. After trading few years with consi
derable success, he became UNEXPECTEDLY the
iuherltor Of large estate Id Scotland; and
the letter which announced his good fortune
contained also large sum Of money. He
Immediately commenced arrangements for
| returning home; sold out his establishment to
a vilager whom we shall designate by the
name Of A.; took farewell carouse with
his old customers and cronies, With whom he
was literally s'lou for days thegither," and
departed for his native land year ormore
had elapsed, when some of the villagers got
word, how 10 not recollected- that W.
had never been heard of by his friends in
Scotland, and story obtained, and was be-
ieved, that his good fortune had made him
mad. and that he had "drunk himself To-
death" on his way home.
About tie same period pedlar, (having,
as was believed, considerable sum of mo-
ney with him) who had put up at the village
for few days, suddenly disappeared, and in
mysterious manner, and has never since
been heard of. The circumstance is recol.
lec'ed, from bis having made deposit with
| citizen OF the town, OF a sum of money, ,
which has never been called for, and which,
we believe, il still at interest for his benefit.
Mr. A., and younger brother, on the
departure OF W, set up as merchants in
his stead; and it was remarkable, that being
men of small means and ordinary abilities,
'i!terate, and unaequainted with merchandise,
they nevertheless managed their concerns
with uDexampled success. They kept large
stock OF goods, purchased up the produce Of
the farmers IN the country to great distance
around, were always "fiush Of money" and
10 short, bought golden opinions OF all sorts
of people" The elder brother by dint Of
wise saws and threadbare adages uttered
with consequential air, came to be consi-
der d man of parts, was appointed ma
gistrate and for a time, was the oracle of the
village aud its vicinity. There was, however,
recklessness in the transactions oil these
men. which made sober people wonder at
their prosperity, and half inclined them to
believe it would not last forever They gra-
dually contracted dissipated habits and ga
thsred round them knot of gamblers and
loose characters, and the village, which had
never been in the best repute for morality,
became under their auspices, the seat Of all
manner of iniquity
A few years wound up their career by
failure in business, followed by series of
judgments and executions which swept lands
and chattels, and reduced them to their for
mer humble condition. The younger bro
Their has managed to lead busting life ever
since, wandering about the country and gain
ing precafious subsistence as a black leg
and horse jockey. The Squire it was OBJ
served, did not bear bis misfortunes with the
utmost magnanimity He became moody
and unhappy man-restless, unsocial, and abb
sent minded when sober, and addicted, in bis
maudlm moments, TO moralizing on the vi
cissitudes of life, and the vices of the times
These habits gradually increased Upon him.,
and at length took an aspect, which for some
years past, has caused his neighbsrs to look
upon him as partially deranged.
he became subject at intervals Of different
lengths, to paroxisms Of intense mental dis
tress. during which he frequently declared
himself the most wretched being IN existence,
but from a cause which no one could ever
know. 1t is said that at such seasons he has
been known TO rise from his bed at night,
fling himself upon his knees, and pray for
hours in an agony bordering on despair; and
Iperhaps the next day fly 20 the bottle for re.
lief, and under its influence, run into the OPP
posite extreme Of horrid blasphemy. Two
other peeuliarities of bis character have also
been the subject Of remark;-the one a pas
sion for tales OF murder, the most horrid de-
tails Of which he would dwell upon with in
tense interest;-and the other, an inordinate
affection for the small inconvenient house
(which he occupied. The house-the oldest.
lperhaps, in the yillsge-be had built himself,
for bis own residence. After the ownership
had passed from him, be still contrised to re-
fam .aoeoaaa.o, ord rax-ar xn-os,id entYaauf In