The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-07
A virginia SENSATION.
An Ex-Member Of the Legislature Muir
ders His NeighbOr.
He Hires Il LabOrer to Assist
Him.
DETAILS OF THE HORRIBLE CRIME,

CENTRAL STATION,

CENTRAL STATION,
DoDne DGE COUNTY, W. Va, July 8, 1s7LI
For the mast few II, onths considerable excitement
has existed In THIS cOlss III RELATION 10 the murder
OF a man named Rogers on the 10TH OF March last.
Notwithstanding the fact that man named
owens had been tried and convicted or the crime
and is now serving out q lifetime sentence IN The
Penitentiary OF the State the public mind has been
uneasy, and grave rumors have been going the
rounds that there were more than Owens connected
with the terrible affair, and suspicion has for some
time attached to Mr.. Noah James. prominent man
OF this county, OF large wealth and influence and
a member of the lower House Of the Legislature In
1858.
THE MURDER OF ROGERS
was one OF the most cOd-blooded and dastardly
crimes that was ever committed In the Stale, ana
great excitement prevailed throughout the country
where the parties were known. The man Isaac
Owens who is now in the Penitentary, was arrested
upon the charge having committed the MURDER and
although the evidence against HIM was purely cir
cums,antial he was convicted on the Goth OF April
last at West Union, the county seat Of DOddrdge
county, and sentenced to the Pententiary for life
| Although Noah James was active In the prosecution
o. Owens and loud In his declarations OF adherence
at the terrible crime, slight suspicion, that mas
increased daily until it reached Its eliminating
point on Friday in the death OF James, has always
existed that James was In some way connected with
the commission OF the terrible deed He anu Rogers
had been enemies Tor years. Legal contests had
long been going on between them. and James had
often been heard to remark that
ROGERS OUGHT TO Re SHOT.
He was man Of strong prejudices and bitter re.
.ments and although he tried hard he could not
- public mind OF the suspicion that he had
M Wv 'rdered or assisted IN numbering Rogers,
sN.'i M stant agitation OF the subject has
anu . COM in the county ever since the
ooe" Aep' op 49, but nothing substantial could
u o"'A lcted man would not utter
DC ieafned me com. ,atIer until very RECENTLY
word In relation to tneA ind,nerent "a 70 the 70
an d he appeared perfectly ,informat,on con,d he
salt OF the trial; therefore ~ IN rho grand ,urv
od2al against James upon VIM ,e word would
Gould ind AT Indictment. Not On. .,,nt npop rne
ovens divuge that would throw any l. ZION
MYsTEEIoU Us AND BLOODY TRANsAo. beor
Until WITHIN the past few days, since he IA ,en,
ransfer red from NDoddridge county jail to the r
eDtary.
Last week, howe, er, owens made fun confession !
If the crime which Shows that the rumors and sus
,icIons in reference to James were well founded. |
lie asserts In that co, lession that the 10th OF
asst March, while he W. W in the employ of James, |
rubbing a field In co upany with his son, James |
ame to HIM and taking him aside, told him that II |
lie would keep Rogers fro I'll appearing against MIN
n suit then pending u the Doddrtdge County |
,ourt he would give him 25 This he objected to,
when James offered TO lend him fifty more besides |
he twenty five If he would nut Rogers out OF the
way. After come urging he a. yieed TO do
THE DEED OF b IoOD, |
James agreeing TO furnish the ammunition and to |
AXE care OF his family, get him witnesses and coun'
ell II he was arrested and to C himself witness
II his behalf. and finally TO SYST himself in the
MURDER on Saturday, March IL, Noah James, he |
avs In the confession. purchased the ammunition,
nd Sunday, the 18Th. Owens and James dined to- |
ether at the latter's house when tn,e arrangements
rere made TO Kill Rogers. on Monday, 18th, |
)wens found on returning home on ST nday evening
hat his son, TO escape the officers o., the law for
ome crime ne had committed, had ridd IN away his
NV horse, therefore ne obliged 70 make
hange in the programme agreed upon between him
No James. After this interruption nO-Op portunity
nered itself for the ar ,ompshmens OF
THEIR HEILIsH DESIGNS
ntil Wednesday. March Is, when owens, 1n'comlny
ome from a nelghboring mill. saw Rogers coming
long the road toward James house and in The d. |
C cton OF his own home Owens hastened home as
oon rs possible and over to Noah James,
cling him that Rogers was coming up the path
oward the house. They both Immediately startea for
he woods to intercept him. and laid in ambush to
wait his coming. As soon as Rogers drew near
loan James nred the first shot, the ball taking
feet in the abdomen. Rogers screamed and spra 1g
rom The path and started to run, when he lOwens3t
rev his pistol and
FIRED THE FATAL SHOT,
7hich took effect under the right jaw, killing hinp
lmost instantly. No effort made to conceal
he body. Other circumstances that have tran
pired since the murder have tended TO substantiate
he statements or owens, and it may be said that
he evidence adduced upon the trial largely COR
DbOrates assertions OF the convict liz appears
nat after Owens was arrested James did not keep
nth with him, but refused to have anything to 90
nth him. and even furnished evidence against him.
nd 1t Is a matter OF much surprise that he did not
rake confession long ere this, that James might
ave suffered the penalty he so richly deserved.
warrant was last week issued for the arrest OF
ames upon the statements OF owens and other evil
cnce and was 20 have been served on Saturday.
uly l. but ere that time the spirit OF James had by
is own hand been ushered into eternity.
On Friday last James, directly after eating his
Inner OF which he partook sparingly complaining
f not being well took his gun and went up little
rook that nows IN the vicinity OF his house. Soon
rter he left his wife, hearing the report OF gun,
cnt little child up 10 see what her husband had ,
hot The child had been gone but moment when
came running back, Its face white with terror. TO
freak TO its mother the terrible intelligence that her
husband ana Its father
HAD KILLED HIMSELF.
visit to the terrible scene revealed the fact that
e had gone ND the brook deliberately taken of his
oot and sock, and had placed the muzzle OF HIS
un TO MS eye. and, with his toe, had touched the
atal spring that sent unerring bullet to q vital
pot.
Thus you nave the sequel to one of the blacklist
tory Of this state.