Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-08-01
BRUTAL MURDER.
An Old Man Beaten to Death
with Cub. 7-

From the Kansas city (Mo, Times, July Il.
Day before yesterday, the Times con-
tanned an item referring to the death of
Mr.. John Erskine, near Warrensburg,
with theintimation that there was good
ground for suspicion Of
FOUL PLAY.
So strong did this probability seem to
the managers of this paper that it was
determined to dispatch a special report
er to the scene to watch and report de-
veIopments. The deceased was a resi-
dent and a large property owner and
cattle dealer in Guadaioupe County,
Texas. His business Of late had frequ-
entity called him to this city and vicin-
itv, and he was in the habit of staying
here and in Warrensburg a large por-i
ton of the time a1
THE CAUsE.l 7a
Lately he had beenstopping at Ming's
Hotel in Warrensburg, looking after
his business interests in Johnson Coun-
ty,which were extensive. Among those
with whom Mr.. Erskine had dealings
was Mr.. Sharpe, which resulted in
the latter giving Mr.. Erskine a mort
gage on his property to secure a large
debt. ae. . -.
!, This matter seemed to have a deep
effect upon the mind of Mr.. Sharpe,
and he felt very uneasy about his obli-
cations to Mr.. Erskine. On. Wednes-
day last, the latter rode out ION horse
back from Warrensburg to 1.-The place of
Mr.. Sharpe to see him, also to look after
a herd Of cattle he had feeding near
Sharpe's place. aaa ;5vui
THE STORY AS IT WAS FIRST TOLD.
He spent some little time eat Sharpe,s
place and started home in the afternoon.
Mr.. Sharpe, his son, and a man named
Young, hired hand on Sharpe's farm,
accompanied him. Toward night
Sharpe rode into the little town of Gen.
treville, and told story to the effect
that Mr.. Erskine had been thrown from
his horse and killed by the horse run
ming away and dragging him on the
ground, his foot having caught in the
stirrup. He said he had buried Mr..
Erskine temporarily to keep his body
from the hogs, and that he would pro-
cure coffin and have him decently in
TERED. '.-'..4 i--iii'
There were those among his listeners,
however, who thought Sharpe's story
LACKED Observation-Disclosures.
and they insisted on Coroner's inquest.
Accordingly a number of men went
and dug up Mr.. Erskine's body, i'm
panneled Coroner's jury and sum-
moned the younger Sharpe and the
hired map Young, as witnesses. Young
told straight story, substantially cor
roborating the statement of the older
Sharpe. But when the younger Sharpe
was putupon the stand and subjected to
closeexamination he became confused
and his manner indicated that some
thing was wrong.
THE REVELATION. -t
This served to confirm the suspicious
that had been but little allayed by the
testimony of Young. The boy was
therefore taken away from the presence
of his father. He finally yielded and
made the following statement:
THE DEED.
He said that his father, Sharpe, had
procured a heavy club, which he car
ried in his hand as he rode along
When they had come to a lonely spot,
Sharpe dashed up behind Mr.. Erskine
and dealt him heavy blow on the
bnck of the head. Mr.. Erskine, being
unable to defend himself, put spurs to
his horse and endeavored to get away.
IMPLACABLE.
Sharpe followed him, and soon COM
ing within reach again, dealt him an-
other blow. After three or four strokes
from the club, Mr.. Erskine tumbled
from his horse, when Sharpe dismoun-
ted and finished him with another blow
or two. He then took off one of Mr..
Erskine boots and bruised his sankle and
instep to make it appear as if his foot
had been caught in the stirrup. He
also tore his clothes to give them the
appearance of having been dragged
upon the ground. He also took from
Mr.. Erskine's pockets all the notes and
mortgages the latter held against him
and upon his property, and then buried
him as above stated. '''-
~ THE LAST REQUEST,
! After Mr.. Erskineha fallen from his
horse, and before Sharpe had dismoun-
ted to finish killing him, he asked that
Major George, of this city, be sent. for
to take care of his cattle. 3r 81 al
l4atsa.l7rtl EXCITEMENT. jig ;E .n,s.
aUpon the relation ofithisstory by the
boy the widest excitement ensued and
threats OF summary execution was
freeley in0ulged in. But calmer coun-
sells prevailed, and Sharpe was taken to
Warrensburg and lodged in Jail. ~ :,.
After the confession of young Sharpe,
the hired man signiied his desire to
become States evidence, and was ae-
cepted. ~
JAMES SHARPE,
is one of the largest farmers i'll johnson
County, is well connected, and is said
to be worth about fifty thousand dollars.
H irH THE VICTIM.
The murdered man was well known
in this city, in Virginia, where he
formerly resided, and to all the cattle
men of the Southwest. His terrible
death will create a profound feeling OF
sympathy and sorrow for him, and q
terrible measure of public wrath must