Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-23
Deliberate Murder---Tho Murderer in
CUSTODY.

custody.
We have to record this morning the foul
est and most deliberate attempt at murder
that has ever occurred in our citv. within
our recollection. On Tuesday night last
about half past 8 o'clock. man named Jno
H. Melton, hailing from Louisiana, and So
iourning for the tinse at the Exchange Ho-
tel, appeared at the Clerks Office and de-
manded to know why he could not be wait
ed upon. Mr.. P. 0. Simms, one of the
clerks in attendance, asked hira what was
the matter-to which Melton replied that
he had ordered his dinner to be brought to
his room, but could not get it and that he
had ordered his supper. but it had not been
furnished. He then asked for his bill. saw
ing he would leave the hotel and when It
was furnished him, he threw it into Mr..
Simms' face. Mr.. W. B. HOPKINS. anoth-
er Of the clerks, saw that Melton was ycrv
much excited. and said that there were three
servants then waiting upon him, and that
an order had been sent to the dining room
for his supper to be furnished in No. 264,
the room then occupied by him Notwith-
standing the insulting abuse by Melton, Mr..
Simms preserved his temper, and invited
him to 60 to his room, telling him that his
supper would be sent up. Melton contin-
ued his abuse until Mr. Sinams told him he
would have to call in the police and have
him and his baggage put into the street, if
he did not conduct himself better. This
remark seemed to increase Melton's excite
ment, and he responded, that no one would
put him or his baggage out of the hotel
Mr.. Hopkins then directed servant to
bring the baggage in No. 264 to the Office,
but the order was net obeyed. Melton, af-
ter continuing his abuse for some time. went
up to his room, and while there wrote the
following note "a
Dear Sir: You have said you would
have mi bagag put on the street because
| called to know wi mi bell was not anser
ed l am now to Sc about it Done. I
shall wait until FIVE minnits After YOU re-
ceive this. j. II. MElToN"
In about ten minutes after Melton left
the Office, his bell rang violently, and Mr..
Simms sent servant up to answer it.
When the servant returned he handed Mr..
S. the above note, and said other servants
were there to attend him. Mr. S., without
reading the note, laid it down.
Very soon after the negro handed Mr..
IS. the note, Melton appeared in the office,
and renewed his offensive remarks. Mr..
Simms then told him that he would have
him put into the street, at which Melton
struck S. in the face with his hat, and 8.
smacked Melton's Jaws. Melton 1t once
stepped back from the counter, Mr.. Simms
being on the inner side, and ran his hand
in his pocket, as if to geta weapon: Mr..
Simms seeing this movement, said to him,
''don't shoot me, . at the same time picking
up small piece ofiron used to turn off the
gas, and stepping from behind the counter,
AS he did so, Melton drew Derrcnger
pistol and fred upon him, the ball taking
effect about an inch and a half above, and
to the right of, the navel, passing through
the abdominal cavity and lodging in the
kidney or bladder
The moment the pistol was fred, Melton ran ia
his room, locked himself in, threw the discharged
weapon into the street, and got into bed. Soon
after two Of the watchmen arrived, and entering
the room Of the murderer, arrested him. When
he saw that he was in custody. he called the at
w
loaded and that he could not have shot any one
The empty, pistol, however, was found and Mel
ton taken to the station house.
| Mr.. Simms, finding himself dangerously wound
| ed, made the fact known, and Doctors Conway Ind
| Feachy we e called in, who found that his wound
was exceedingly dangerous, and in all probability
would prove fatal
| Al an carly hour yesterday morning, the office
! of the Exchange Hotel, and the sidewalks between
that and the Ballard House, wore completely
thronged with citizens, ali anxiously enuuirng the
condition of the wounded man. Mr.. Siums is well
known to all classes in Our community, and is sc
/ universally beloved, that every one seemed to feel
as if dear friend had fallen by an assassn's hand.
Being in the prime OF Ee, and of an iron :onstitu-
ton, some few hopel that4A might survive the
wound, until they heard that he Fad despaired OF
| recovery, and under the impression that he was
| then upon the very verge of the grave, had ssHi
for Alderman Castle, and to him made his dying
| declaration.
4 About half -pasto o'clocks while many persons
were near the Exchange Hotel the officers on their
way to Court passed BY, having Melton in charge
AS he got opposite the crowd with heinpus smile
| upon his countenance, he waved his hand to then
las if the blood Of an unohending fellow being
was not upon it-and by SO doing came nigh bring
ing down on himself that fearful vengeance which i
occasionally visi ed upon criminals by an cnraget
Popuace. Hcores of young said, "let us hang
him at once" and hundreds of others wouid haYt
i readily joined in the summary execution, had bu
single daring spirit lead the friends of the poo
sufferer who was then almost in the agonses g
death.
Arriving at Court, MELTON was placed in th,
criminal dock, and seem, to be fearfnllv agitatec
| at the excited throng around him. He appears e
be about forty five years of age, and his face nd
Gates vlndictiveness, unforgiveness. and revenge:
lie is said to be planter in Louisiana, and man
OF means. He arrived here about six weeks since
| and intended purchasing number CT serrants fol
MS own use. After remaining short time, he
visited the mountains of Virginia. and while at the
white Sulphur insulted a gentleman. who knock
| ed him down. He has been drinking froli{
| ever since he came to Richmond, ard there seem,
to be no doubt that he was intoxicated et the time
he shot M Simms, though he ad sense enough
after having the first controversy in the Office. &c
60 to his room and load his PISTOLS and after the
shooting to throw away the empty one, and endea.
vor to make the police believe chat he had not free
on any one. Learning that Mr.. Simms was in 8
dying condition. the Mayor remanded the prisone,
| to Jail until tomorrow. y. 4 ts s..l..s.
| At late hour in the afternoon, Mr.. Simms was
IN very critical condition, and scarcely a hope
Was entertained of his recovery. During the day
he bore his suiferngs with great forttude, and oG-
casionallv slept soundly. From the moment he
was shot, he seemed to feel that there were ho-
pes of his every, and in his conversations with
his friends, who gathered arond his bed side, wee7
] ping bitter tears at his sad sfate he told them he
must die, and took leave eff them. During most OF
the forenoon, Reys. Messrs. .Roggs and Duncan t.
| tended him, conveTsed with him and for him. A
bout o'clock he made profession of religion, and
protested willingness to die. The is said tC
have been most affecting one, and to have caused
q flow of tears from men unused to weeping. After
his conversion, he fell off into quiet sumber, and
! slept as peacefully as an infant:
AS there were but two ewtnesses to the shoot
ing, and fears were entertained that they might
not recognize the prisoner, it was deemed advisa-
! ing made known to Deputy sergeants Bray and
Hail, thew took Melton from tie jail and conveyed