The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1869-09-02
A MURDEGsEIs r1UmpEnED
DEATH OF A CINCINNATI DEsPEEADo-A
SONS VENGEANCE.

DEATH OF \ ClNClNNAIl DEsIhhADo-A
SONS VENGEANCE.
As far back in Cincinnatis history as
1912, ilonyishea a then young scoundrei Of
sixteen years, kpown as Tho Knife to
those who him and of his habit Of invaria-
| bly, drawing knife upon anybody that hap
pened to in any way offend him. His name
was james Watson, but among tho CON-
panions of his earlier days he was scarcely
known by it, 'The KEie" having taken its
place ever since. When he was fourteen
years of age ho had badly cut younger
play mate upon whom he had failed to force
cheating bargain. THE knile" lrst be-
camo known TO the watch as professionally
dishonest when, in lS45, he was caught
with two othor burglars in the act Of rob
bing o jewelry store on the Landing. lie
managed to wiggle out Of this case, shortly
after which ho left the city and went to
Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo. and
even farther East, committing many
crimes. and almost invariably escaping de-
lection.
la fact, 1t was not uutil ne became well
known to the authorities Of Butalo, and
was ut length detected in q steamboat rob
berry at that point in 1850, that he was con-
yicted and forced to serve five years Re
turning to BnHllo in 1859, and thence to
Cleveland and Chicago, Watson. in drunk
en- brol in q drinking saloon in the last
named city, drew knife upon William
Webb the captain Of the schooner North
Star, and cut him in sucb manner that
, be died of his wounds. Watson escaped
the immediate vengeance that even this
crime should have brought upoa hirG. Ia
fact, his identity was not fully established,
: and the police had no clue along which to
, follow to his arrest, However, shortly al
: ter his fathers death, The son, John Webb,
young man Of twenty years, learned from
one Of Watson's former associates Of Chica-
20 who it was that made bin faiheriess.
Obtaining minute description of his per-
, son, including note OF u scar across his
forehead that could not easily be forgotten,
be took every step in his power to have him
brought to justice. But all efforts to this
4 end proved fruitlcss, as Watson had gone
e far South-to Texas it was supposed.
e iii the years that followed John Webb
e went to the bad under the influence OF Chi
s cago life, becoming almoS. as desperate q
character as his fathers murderer.
, When the war broke out he enlisted in
, an Illinois regiment, and served several
years, known always as reckless, despe
!. rate soldier, fighting bravely, bat always in
trouble on account of his insubordnation
,s When ne was finally discharged he wen
, West, and for several years led wander
ing life, until at Fort Benton, few week
since, he met this Watson in a gambling sd
n loon, recognized him, threw glass OF whs
re XIV into his face, and then very coolly sho
A. him six times with revolver, letting hi
d. life out through at least three morta
wounds. 1t appears that they were sitting
side by side at faro spread, both betting
nj white chips on the same cards. Hearin
., Watson's name called by the dealer, Web
examined his face closely, and finding in
=. every mark of the old time description, in
troduoed conversation, and managed t
, learn from Watson that he was in Chicag
In March Of 1855, the time Of the murder
This settled it with Webb. He did no
wait for the evidence of Witnesses, or OF
he pealing to lava very scarce article in tha
1t part of the world. While taking drink
on whisky, be curelessly took up some Q
Watson's chips, as if making mistake i
shifting bet. Watson cursed the mis!ak
-. and its author, announcing that those weT
N - his chips Webb shifted the glass to hi
Nv left hand and reckoned not, at the sam
'As time cooking revolver in his pocket wit
'N' his right. Watson jumped up and pule
y" his knife. Webb dashed the whisky ini
III his face, binding him for au instant, an
0'' then, as Watson came at him, commence
shooting, and without going into the hero
ger les, or even eXclaming MY fathers mu
oot derer," proceeded. TO settle old scores, Il
, is then walked oat Of the saloon, and witAou
TIE much trouble made his escape.
Dowuerg Great Yosemite Bitters puiif
The the blood and regulates the bowels. U
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