Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-31
Murder in Augusta County.

One of the greatest outrages ever perpe-
trated in the Valley, occurred on Monday
night, the 10th instant, at the residence of
Mr.. Christopher Slower, in Augusta county,
when Mr.. Slower was killed and Mr.. Robert
McCreary seriously wounded, by three or four
armed and disguised men. The circumstan-
ces are given in the following letter published
in the Staunton Vindicdtor:
F1sHERsv1LLE, March 18th, 1868.
Mr. Editor Il have just returned from
the house of MIR. Christopher Slower, near
the Greenville and Waynesboro road, and
about miles from the latter place, where one
of the most brutal murders occurred. on Mon
day night, the 10th inst, that has ever taken
place in our county.
Mr. Stover's family consisted of Mr.. Sto-
yer, an old man in his 6Sth year, his wife
and two grown daughters-his other children
being married left the paternal roof some
years ago. Messrs. William and Robt Nc
Creary and two NIessrs. Kindig, with five
young ladies were on a visit to Mr.. Stoyer's
family on the night mentioned. About .
o'clock some one knocked at the door and one
of the ladies advanced to open it. A voice
on the outside said, "don't let the dog bite"
Inc uOOE udFIuS Decu OpSuSu1 u tai 11iobJ
with pistol in hand, followed by two others
similarly armed, entered, and said "be still
the first that speaks I will blow his brains
out" Mr. Slower rose from his seat and
said, stwhat is your name What do you
want?" The three advanced, calling to him
to 'ssit still, or we'll blow your brains out"
Mr.. Slower then seized small axe near him
and struck at the tall man, who dodged-the
sharp edge of the axe grazing the right cheek
and taking effect in the right shoulder. All
seized the axe and twisted it out of his hands.
In the scuffie cap oo one of the pistols ex-
ploded Just then one of the young men
slipped out, but was seen by the murderers,
who followed, crying "stopl STOP" and fired
twice at him. When all were out of the
house two additional shots were fred and all
became quiet.
Mr.. NJ r. Coalter, who lives but few hun
bred yards away, attracted by the pistol shots
came over, and found Mr.. Slower on the
ground, within few feet of his door, perfectly
dead being shot through the heart. Mr.. Robt.
McCreary was found about one hundred yards
off, shot through the right lung. He was
shot at the door of the house when Mr.. Sto-
yer was killed, and, in trying to escape, had
gone as far as his strength would permit. He
is having every attention, but it is feared his
wound is mortal.
An old wagon whip was left in the yard by
the murderers. On the axe and on the fence
where they crossed, are drops of blood, sup
posed to be from wounds produced by the axe.
The scoundrels are supposed to be white
men, BACKED to avoid detection, whose object
was to rob Mr.. Slower, whom they, doubtless,
supposed had gold and silver in his house, as
he had always been very honest, quiet and
frugal farmer.
The whole neighborhood as you may sup
pose, is very much excited, and it is to be
hoped that some means will be Immediately
used to ferret out and bring these demons to
justice. Is. NJ. b.