Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-09-08

IcidINc W q mufuef COmmibteQ on Nam
awha, and who was passenger on the
Yorktown when she landed the murder
er:
A MURDERER TAKEN.-The steamer
Yorktown, on yesterday, September Cd,
put off at Guyandotte G. w. Rose and
Charles Rice, two of the Cincinnati po-
licemen, having in charge William Pat
ton, alias w. P. Whslsn, charged with
the murder of John Worley, on the 4th
July last, under circumstances of the
most hardened character, with malice
aforethought. 1t appears that on the
4th of July last, man was seen travel
ing on the Kanawha road, below Charles
ton, on foot, who from some source has
been supposed to be stranger, whose
name was John Worley, with whom was
this same William Patton, alias w. p.
Whalan, on foot, also. 1t is supposed
the latter found out or supposed he had
a considerable sum of money, and de-
termined to possess himself of it. When
Patton, alias Whalan, reached Charles
ton, he was alone, and Immediately be-
gan to exhibit twenty dollar gold pieces,
and gave 500 in gold to the captain of
a steamboat for 500 in notes on the
Bank of Connersville, Ia, and also pur-
chased horse for 500, paying part
in gold and part in paper, and ex-
pressed an intention of going into the
mountain region; still no suspicion had
been excited, because no person was mis-
sing.
On the 92d of July, man was in the
woods hunting his cows, and saw buzz
yards rising from spot, which induced
him to ascertain what carcass they were
preying upon. On examination, he
found the remains of human being, re-
duced to bones, by those vultures of the
air, with the exception of piece of the
scalp. He Immediately gave notice to
the Coroner, who was soon on the
ground with an inquisition; and before
that tribunal it was proven that the day
previous to the murder, this Patton,
alias Whalan, had told a man that he
had been on the steamboat Greenwood,
and left her destitute of money, as the
boat could not pay him; then seen in
company with this traveller; and it was
supposed he had decoyed the stranger
into the woods, by inducing him to be-
lieve that by taking a small path through
the woods, they would cut off mile or
two on the way to Charleston, as the re-
mains were found some half mile from
the public highway. The covering of
the head thus found, bore evidence of
being a white man, and the teeth that
of young man. The skull had been
broken and fractured, as if by violence.
1t was also proven that Patton, alias
Whalan, had been seen coming out of
the woods, in the direction where the
remains were found; that Immediately
he entered house and asked for a cool
drink of water, on getting it, gave the
woman who handed it to him, gold
dollar.
Taking the circumstances together,
with the infamous character of Patton,
alias Whalan, the Jury returned their
verdict that the murder had been COM
mitted by that person. Immediate pur-
suit was made, when it was soon ascer-
tanned that instead of going into the
he had taken a direction
leading towards Jackson Court House.
As some three weeks had past, his trail
was lost. Notice was given to the Gov
ernor of Virginia of the atrocious mur-
der that had been committed, charging
it on this same individual, who immedi-
ately offered a reward of 5000 for the
of the murderer. The
county of Kanawha also offered another
hundred. 1t appears the murderer had
taken a direction towards Cumberland,
in Maryland, but changing his course
returned and went down the Ohio, and
leaving a steamboat at Covington, made
his way into Kentucky.
The police officers of Cincinnati had
been informed of the murder, and the
reward offered for the murderer. Two
Of them, to-wit, G. w. Rose and Charles
Rice, Immediately took up the trail, and
pursued him into Kentucky, and on find
ing him, compared the description of the
murderer with certain letters
Or initials on his arm, and with scar on
one side of the head, and were con-
Vinced they had the man; and even Pat
.on, alias Whalan, confessed that his
person answered fully the description of
he man for whom the reward was Of
iered, and at once gave himself up, and
was put in irons.
On his person was found bowie-
Knife, with a blade some twelve inches
ong, and revolver, well charged, but
rom the force of a guilty conscience, or
natural cowardice, he did not attemptto to
ise either. One of the policemen stated
hat he had began conversation which
vas leading on to a confession of the
,rime charged, which he stopped, by
elling him that he did not wish him to
make the confession to him, as by so do
ng he might be made witness, which
would interfere with his other engage
nents.
His appearance was that of a man
Iardened in villainy, and his eyes, in
tead of exhibiting self-confdence. and
determination that his demeanor should
omport with the true dignity of human
ature, exhibited countenance stepped
crime, cast down, and, if forced to