The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-07-20
Shameful Murder In Missouri.

John Erskine. near Warrensbur,, with the
lnunation that there was good ground for
suspicion OF toul play.
so strong did this probability seem to
the managers OF this paper that il wa, dc.
termined TO dispatch special reporter to
tile scene TO watch aud report drvelop.
ments. The deceased was resident aud
large property owner and cattle dealer
IN uuadalopc County Texas His buyi.
ness OF late had frequently called him To
tins cay aud vicinity, and he was in the
hahit oi staying here and at Warreusburr
large portion OF the time
Lately he had been stopping at Miny'S
Hotel III Warrensburg, looking aler his
business Interests ia johnson County.
which were extensive. Among those witt
whom Mr. Erskine had dealings was a Mr..
sharpe, large farmer residing near War
rensburg Some time ago Mr.. Erskine had
concluded some dealings he had held with
Mr. sharpe, which resulted in the latte.
giving Mr. Erskine a mortgage OH his prop
erly to secure large debt This matte
seemed TO have deep effect upon III,
mind of Mr.. Sharpe, and he ielt very M.
easy about his obligations to Mr.. Erskine
On W ednesday last the latter rode out oa
horseback from Warrensburg TO. the place
OF Mr. Sharpe, TO see him, also to look
alter herd of cattle !.e had feeding near
Sharpes place.
lie spent some time at Sharpe's place.
aud started home in the afternoon. MIR
sharpe, his son, and II man named Young.
a hired hand Oh Sharpes hrm, accompa-
hied him. Toward night Sharpe rode in.
70 tie little town o;Ceniervillc, aud told "A
story to the effect that Mr. Erskine had
been thrown from lis horse aud killed by
The horse running away and dragging him
on the gsound, his foot having caught in
the stirrup lie said lie iai buried Mr..
ErsLne temporarily to keep his body from
the hogs, and that he would procure a
coffin aud have him decenty Inferred.
There were those among his listeners.
however, who thought that Sharpes story
lacked the necessary thickness, aud they
insisted ON u Coroners inquest According.
ly nunIber ofmen went aud dug up Mr.
Erskines body, impanneled Coroner :
jury and summoned the Younger Sharpe
aud tie man Young as witnesses. Young
told a straight story, corroborat'n the
statement OF the elder Sharpe. Iut when
the younger Sharpe was put upon the
stand and subjected to a close examina-
ton, he got confused and his manner in.
dictated tnat something was wrong
This served to confirm the suspicion
that had been but little allayed by the
testimony Of Young The boy was there
iote taken away from thc prerence of his
iather lie finally yielded, and made the
following statement:
lie said that his father, Sharpe, bad
procured heavy club, which he carried
III his hand us he rode along When they
had come 10 IT lonely spot, Sharpe
dashed up behind Mr.. Erskine and dealt
| HIM heavy blow on the back OF his head
Mr.. Ersklne, being unarmed and unable
to dc'end himself put spurs to his horse
and endeayorcd TO get away.
sharpe followed him, and soon coming
within reach again, dealt him another
blow. After three or fonr strokes from the
club, Mr. Er-klne .tunlbled from hi, horse.
when sharpe dismouuted and finished him
with another blow or two. lie then took
off one OF Mr.. Erskine's boots and bruised
his ankle an in-tep to make it appear n.
li h1S foot had been caught in the stirrup.
/ lie also tore his clothes 10 give them the
| appearance OF having been dragged upon
/ the ground. lie also took from SIR. Ers-
kline pocket nll the notes aud mortsaees
the latter held against him aud upon hi.
property, and then buried hun ~ above
stated.
After Mr. Ersk.ne had fallen from his
horse, aud before Sharpe had di-mouniei
/ 10 finish killing him, he asked that M,,i,r
George Of this civ. ne sent tor to take c,,rr
, Ui hi- cattle, Upon the. relation nf this
story 10Y the boy The widest excitement
ensued and threats of summary execution,
were freely iriulgel in But calmer coun
sel- prevailed aud Sharpe was taken 10
Warre'-hurg md lrigel in idl.
Amer the cOuie-.iuu uf Young Shane
the hired man sisnifed hi- desire 10 he
come States evidence. aud WIS accented
The murderer. James sharpe, is one Of
the largest farmers IN johnson County. il
wtll connected and il said 10 be worth
about ii'y thou-aud dollars
The murdered mnn wgs well known 90,
this city. boo Virginia, where De tormaFl,
resided and fo 900 the cattle men iu tr.
SOuth-we-t Ills terrible death will ere.
ME a profound feeling Of sympathy and
sorrow for him aud terrible measure of
public wrath must be metel out 10 bis
brutal aud cowardly murderer -K,,,,,s
city Tne' July lth
The v.ciim Of me murder rccoup,eI
Above, was John. +. Er-kiue E-a son OF
Mr. Michael Er-k.nc formerly Of Monroe
County boo IBIS state ne went to Texa.
when about fourteen year- of age. where
be fought with the Texas Ranger. under
Capt Jack Hays Zoo tar war with Mexico
lie atcrwari went with his father and
younger brother g. California with large
herd o' cattle where he remained some
year.. uh us 'ct1rn 10 Texas. he settled