South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-02-17

Alter leaving the prison, be continued for
some time 10 bear an excellent character and
stil retained bis connection with the church
Uni"riunaiely, however, he soon fell into
evil ways, by keeping bad company. lie
got TO drinking, aud visiting places Of bad
repu c, aud FROM hat time forward his course
was downward
Eventually he found his way to Hampshire
county, W. Va, and was employed on a farm
by gentleman residing near -Rcmrey. After
losing that place, he came TO Cumberland and
went 10 boating. His history Of the murder Is
rs follows:
He engaged with Harry Miller at SIS
per mouth, to do general work, except 10
attend TO the mules. This was to be done
by the colored man, Joe johnson. Miller
was boiSterous and abusive man. and was
always cursing ", and was over rough
lie always felt resentful when Miller abused
him On the night before the murder.
Miller told Howard to pump the boat out.
and nos TO 60 to sleep TIL be had flushed
tojob; Miller then told Howard TO call him
at u O'Clock
After pumping, he called Miller at II
Miller was very violent aud cursed Howard
for calling him, but be took the tiller and
told Howard to so to sleep. At ! o'Chck
M'l'er called him up, and cursed him again.
aud told him to 60 feed the mules ; he said
that was not his work but to accommodate
The negro, he went on to the tow-paih and
ted the mules he and the black man then
sat down in the hay house and talked about
the matter Howard declaring he would not
submit to such abuse The black man then
went to clean his mules, and in little While
VI Her came along again Il called IIowagd
S-n of n b-h, and said he paid him to
work, not to sleep; Howard told him he
would leave in the morning, and he could
get some one who would not sleep. Miller
cursed him It'll more, and then turned and
walked to the other end Of the boat; How
ard caught up spreader stick, aud con
cealing 1t behind him, walked after Miller,
until they reached the cabin.
Then he said to Miller, am bust your head. -
ut the same tine raising the spreader stick and
striking him a blow on the head Miller fell
uyOu his knees and Howard thought he reached
for "A hatchet which was lying near. He then
struck him another blow near about the same
place, when Miller rolled over and cried help
help Howard then dropped the spreader stick
into the canal. but struggled TO the shore, and
then took To the fields. II was quite dark, and
he could not see where he was going, but soon
found that lie was getting mircd in the mud
and touudered about for some lime ere he reach
Cd solid ground lie ;hen got back on to the
tow-rnth again, and hearing some one approach
inE he caught up stone aud called out, "Nho
COMES there lie was answered by Zoe, the
coored laan. Howard asked him what he was
coming for, and Joe replied that he was afraid
10 stay ON The boat, because if anybody came n
board, they would Kill him because Miller was
hurt.
Howard then asked Joe if Miller was badly
hurt, and Joe said mo, hc reck oncd not very
bad. They then travelled together ind went into
the woods in West Virginia, about Perry farm
bat afterwards came over to Cumberland, and at
the Cumberland Coal Il Iron Company Wharf
were told that they were suspected, when they
left and were sltsrward arrested below Hancock
This is Towards statement Of the affeir. lie
processes to be ready 10 die, aud seems to be in
good spirits,