Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-05-06
From ese s.. Lsa.. Rssusl.ssa ef Aar.l 10.
MURDER, BURGLARY AND ARSON,

single transaction as was presented TO our
appalled, citizens on the night of Saturday
last. About one O'Clock the alarm Of FIRE
was given by the flames bursting out OF
the windows and various parts Of the
large stone store on tho corner of Pine
and Water streets the front on Water
street occupied by Messrs. Simonds and
Morrison, and the rear by Mr.. pettus as
a banking house, formerly Collier g. Pet
tus. Al the time OF the discovery /, was
evident that the building had been fired in
several parts, and the flames had made
such progress that it was impossible 10
save either the house or any Of its con-
tents.
That il was the work of an incendIary
was soon apparent. Several gentlemen
who arrived early, after some difficulty
forced open the door Of the banking house,
and through the smoke discovered body
lying on the floor near the stove. The
body was taken out before the flames had
reached it, and found TO be that OF Mr.. ia
COS Weaver, young man, clerk in The
store Of Messrs. Won Phul 81 McGill,
who usually slept in the room Immediately
in the rear Of MIR. Pettus' banking room,
with Mr.. Jesse Baker, the clerk Of Messrs.
Simonds Il Morrison. Mr.. Weaver was
found in the Dress he had worn during
the day, but his head dreadfully mangled.
He had been shot through the head, the
ball entering above the left eye, and so
near had the weapon been To him that
his face and left hand were backcned with
the powder, and the little finger nearly
cut off, apparently by the ball. His head
was also cut open in several places, the
wounds appearing TO have been made
with bowie knife or Ratchet.
Near to him, in the same room, were
found the hat and handkerchief of Mr..
Baker, but no traces Of his body could be
discovered. 1t is fonlectured that he had
been killed either in the bed room or some
Other part Of the store, and that his body
lies buried in the ruins.
In the banking house there was large
fire proof vault in which there is at all
times large sum of money, and it is
supposed that the murder was committed
with view Of entering the vault. Of
the manner, however, there is nothing
but conjecture. Mr.. Baker left his board.
ing house about nine for the store, and
has no: been seen since. MI. Weaver
was in company with number OF young
gentlemen at ten pin ulley, until i o.
clock, when he went to the store, and
about the time he arrived, the report OF
two pistols or guns was heard in that d.
rection by the people in the vicinity, bat
from the reprehensible frequency Of such
reports, excited no attention. Some sup.
pose the murderers had concealed them
selves in the store, and had previously
despatched Baker, and killed Weaver
when he entered. Our own belief, from
all the circumstances, is that they entered
with Weaver, and that the struggle and
death of both followed Immediately. AZ
ter the murder they doubtless fred the
house in several places with the hopes OF
consuming the bodies and in the expecta.
ton that their crime would not be discov-
cred.
So far rs there has been any means OF
Judging, it is believed the murderers failed
in their principal purposes, that of enter
ing the vault. Owing to the heat, up to
a late hour yesterday, the door could not
be approached, but it was, it was found
to be locked, and could not be unlocked.
The safe of Messrs. Smonds a. Morrison,
in which there was some money, was UNI
disturbed, and it was therefore probable
that but little booty was obtained.
The loss by the fire has been very
great. Mr.. Pettus lost all his books, and
the books of Collier g. Petius. He, how.
ever, after three attempts at great perso.
nal risk, succeeded in getting out draw.
err under the counter 10 which were all
his bills receivable, amounting to near
100000 the papers being very little in
iured. Most of the books and papers of
the late firm of Hampstead a. Beebe were
destroyed, and Mr.. Hempstead's desk.
Messrs. Simonds & Morrison lost their
journal and ledger, but saved several
books. Their safe was dragged out and
the papers in it preserved with little dam
age. Their entire stock Of goods, how
ever, was consumed. Their loss includ-
ing their own stock and the goods on stor-
age and commission, is estimated at about
$50, 900, which is probably below the
amount. They were covered by insur-
ance to the extent of their own stock
The whole loss including the goods and
the building, may be set down at from
$40 to $50, 900.
From the house Of Simoncs 81 Morrison
the fire extended south to the adjoining
building, occupied by Messrs. Kennel,
White q Co. was saved with the loss of
the roof only. The goods in the store,
however, were greatly damaged by the
water, and the stock was very large. The
amount of damage is variously estimated
at from $4,000 to SIS, 900, fully cover
ed by insurance.
The wind setting in a southwest direc-
ton carried the embers over the buildings
south OF the fire, and nothing but the sat
urated conditions of the roofs by the pre-
vious rains and the exertlons Of the fire.
men, saved the row.
The store of Mr.. Bernard Pratte, on
the opposite side of Pine street, was seve.
raj times on fire, and some of the window
frames were considerably burned, but by
the exertions of those from within, and the
Il al.