Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-02-15
\ brutal Murder In Writ County..
Arrest of tho Murderer.
War CouRT Horsr - F..S 30 ,eo

War CoURT HOUSE,, Feb. IL, '62.
Editors LntelEigeneer:
A most brutal aud cold blootled murder
was perpetrhted ut this pluce last night.
between IL and l o'clock, by a private
named William F. Clayton, belonging 10
Company Il, llth Virginia Infantry.
1t appears thai last summer, this man
Clayton was arrested by a detachment of
Home Guards, ON the charge of being a
srcesstonist. Among tue party making
the arrest was one Samuel Geho. Clayton
swore to haye revenge upon Geho Clay
ton eventually obtained his liberty, and
has since been drifting around from ono
place 10 another, and finally enlisted in
Company II, llth Virginia Regiment
This company Samuel Geho, also belonged
to. Clayton had been with the company
but two or three days, when it became
evident from HIS actions that something
was up. He would slip around from one
place TO another. The night the murder
was committed, all the company except
those on guard and Clayton, was asleep.
Samuel Geho was lying asleep on n bench
before the fire, when Clayton entered the
room noiselessly, aud picking up loaded
musket, placed the mllzzle within few
inches Of Gehoss side, and fired. The ball
passed clear through the body, AID lodged
just beneath the head of another man,
who was asleep on the floor. TIE villain
tired with the Intention of killing both of
tue men, as he had grudge against both of
them.
Alter firing the shot he threw down the
gun and rushed down stairs crying, Iman
shotl" 'man shotl" passed tue Quarter
guard, passed the maiusguard and on to-
wards the picket, and would have passed
there also, but the stern challAnge. OF the
picket guard, coupled with an omiuous
''click-CliCk T. told himhe could not pass
there. He stopped short and remarked.
"thereisn man killed at tho Rnard house,
and the officer Of the guard wants Won 20
come In right away ssThen the officer
of the guard don't know bis duty if he
sent you oman GRAND of that kind, !" replied
the sentry. "Well," replied Clayton, am
will tell him You refuse to GOMEZ and
started back with all speed. lie got ont
of sight Ofthe picket, threw himself down
on tue damp ground, crawled to the waters
edge crossed the river and broke forsIhe
woods. As soon as it was light enough to
sec, Col. Rathboue dispatched courier. to.
Major Trimble, Commanding at Burning
Springs, acquaiuting him of the transac.
ton, and sending description ofthc MUIR
derer. Proper steps were at once taken
by the Major, and the same night Col. ,Rath-l
bone received Intelligence Of the murder
er'sRrrest. BE was arrested by Company
B,lllth Virginia Regiment, Capt. James
w. Myers. After shooting the man he
deserted The seryiee, thereby doublv
IjeopardiGing his neck. he has since con.
fessed to doing the deed, and Is now in
jail at Elizalleth, "Camp Pierpotnt," Writ
Courthouse. Geho leaves n wife and two
children. tie resided in WetEel county,
Va. Bis remains were brought up 10
New AaFtinsyills on the steamer Eagle for
interment Geho at the time of being shot
was lying asleep with his hands crossed
upon. his breast, and so deadly was the
aim that not the qnivering of muscle.
could be detected, only a gasPing sigh aud
ne was dead. Yours traly, o.