Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-20
A Tragedy.

---------------- "A 'TfagedY.
1t will be remembered that some seve-
raj years ago cripple caused himself to
t be driven in hack to the door of q small
tenement near the corner of Market and
Second streets, and after calling the in
mate, VIM. Baker. to the side of the hack,
shot him. producing instant death. He
was arraigned and had his trial, when the
following circumstances were elected :1az
The name of the cripple was James
Peters. He had been acquainted with
Baker atthe South, and perhaps, they
had been inmates of the same house, a
woman named Pamela Newcomb residing
with them, probably as Bakers wife. as
she was living with him here as his wife
when Peters killed him. 10 l,.l- -'-
The story of Peters was. that Baker de-
coyed him out. we believe upon the Ma
hez Bluff, and there stripped him of his
money. and beat and cut him in a most
inhuman manner. leaving him for dead
Peters WAS taken to the hospital, but IL
nally recovered with the ensirc loss of his
lower limbs, which had been paralyzed
by the injury his spinal cord had receiv-
ed. During the long, long days of con.
tinement, visions of revenge and the
means of accomplishing it frequently pas
sed through his mind But his betleran-
gel banished the dark phantom, which
would come,again until the fearful pur-
pose was settled thing. He determined
TO seek Baker. lay the case before him
and give him the ALTERNATIVE OF vieldiny
him the neceSsaries for his miserable exiS-
tence, or dent6 For some time he runp
from hun II reluctant support but al
length Baker decamped. taking with him
the woman and leaving Peters helpless
and without bread.
Learning that Baker had located at
Louisville. where. rs usual. he maintained
himself by gambling and worse means.
! he came to this city. and had more than
one interview with him. repeating the al
tentative. Baker put him Oft II ON time
to time, until becoming exa<perated and
desperate. he caused himself To be driven
to Bakers door, and calling him to the
carriage door, shot him dead. The wo-
man who passed for Bakers wife corrob-
GRATED the story of Peters in every par.i
ular and the horrible appearance of Pc
/ ters in Court, his limbs in constant mo;ion
beyond the control of his will. produced
such an effect that he was, although found
guilty, recommended to, and received the
clemency of the Executive
We have never heard of Peters since,
till Saturday; when we were told of the
tragic circumstances that terminated his
career. Whether he was Jealous of Pa
mela Newcomb, with whom he has been
living, and who was the Paramour oil
Baker, or whether he had resolved upon
sef-destruCIion and wished her to 20 with
him TO
That undiscovered country, from whose bourne
No traveller returns"
is not knowu-probably the latter-and q
paper was found upon his person contain
ing the following words: "Gentlemen, this
is preneditated-I have no wish to live
longer-I want us both put into one cof-
I'm and buried ogether.-Peters.
From this it may be inferred that his
morbid anxiety for termination of his
suffering, had grown too strong for the
instinct of life. and that his deep and abb
! ding attachment for the woman caused
tina! strange and unnatural but frequent
wish of minds diseased, that the object Of
affection should accompany them through
the last fearful journey, and drove him to
attempt her life previous to his own. He
caused himself to be taken to a coffee
house in Preston street, where he waited
till she passed along from evening market.
when he snapped a revolver at her. and
Immediately fired another barrel at her.
the shot taking effect in her arm. He
then turned the weapon upon himself and
inflicted wounds of which he died on Sun.
day afternoon. He was conscious to the
last; and almost his last words conveyed
the thoughts and feelings paramount
to all others, and which made his breast
q constant hell. "D-n Baker II ex-
pect to meet him in HI, but d-n him. -
Thus ends the tragedy. Of the three
characters, two have gone to their final
homes. in blood, and the third narrowly es-
capped a similar fate, and only lives to be
a by-word and scorn, unless, indeed, she
hide her head in penitence and ashes
from the worlds gaze.-LouisWlte Times.
HosEsEY.-A quaker passing through
a market, stopped at stall and inquired
the price OF citrons.
~ have none" said the honest eoun
trymau, "thst will suit you they are
! decayed. and their favor is gone"