Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-26
Shameful Murder in Missouri.
A VIRa1N1AN BEATEN TO DEATH.
TFrom the Kansas City Times, July 18th.

A VIRGINIAN BEATEN TO DEATH.
[From the Kansas City Times July 14th]
Day before yesterday the Times con-
tanned an item referring to the death Of MIR. |
John Erskine, near Warrensburg, with the |
ntimation there was good ground for sus- |
picion Of foul play.
So strong did this probability seem to the
managers of this paper that it was deter
mined to dispatch a special reporter to the
scene to watch and report Developments
The deceased was resident aud a large
property owner and cattle dealer III Gauda
lope County Texas His business of late
had frequently called him to this city and
vicinity, and he was in the habit of staying
here and at Warrensburg large portion Of
the time.
Lately he bad been stopping at Ming's
Hotel in Warrensburg. looking after his
business interests in johnson County, which
were extensive. Among those with whom
Mr. Erskine had dealings was Mr.. Sharpe,
la &c farmer residing near Warrensburg.
Some time ago Mr.. Erskine had concluded
some dealings he had held with Mr.. Sharpe,
which resulted in the latter giving Mr..
Erskine a mortgage OF his farm to secure
large debt. This matter seemed to have
deep effect on the mind of Mr.. Sharpe, and
he felt very uneasy about his obligations to
Mr.. Erskine On Wednesday last the lat
ter rode out on horseback from Warrens-
burg to the place of Mr. Sharpe, to see him,
also to look after herd Of cattle he had feed
ing near Sharpe's place.
He spent some little time at Sharpe's
place, and started home in the afternoon.
Mr.. Sharpe, his son, and man named
Young, hired hand on Sharpe's farm &C.
companied him. Toward night Sharpe rode
| into the little town of Centerville, and told
a story to the effect that Mr.. Erskine had
been thrown from his horse and killed by
the horse running away and dragging on the
ground, his foot having caught in the stir
rups. He said he had buried Mr.. Erskine
temporarily to keep his body from the bogs.
and that he would procure coffin and have
him decently inferred.
There were those among his listeners,
however, who thought Sharpe's story lacked
the necessary thickness, and they insisted
on Coroner's inquest. Accordingly a
number of men went and dug up Mr.. Frs
kine's body, impanneled a Coroner's jury
and summoned the younger Sharpe and the
man Young as witnesses Young told a
straight story, corroborating the statement
of the elder Sharpe. But when the young
er Sharpe was put upon the stand and SUBJ
jected close examination, he became con-
fused and his manner indicated that some.
thing was wrong.
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 state
ment:
He said that his father, Sharpe, had pro-
cured heavy club, which he carried in his
hand as he had rode along. When they
had come to lonely spot, Sharpe dashed up
behind Mr.. Erskine and dealt him a heavy
blow on the back Of his head Mr. Erskine
being unarmed, and unable to defend him.
self, put spurs to his horse and endeavored
to get away.
Sharpe followed him, and soon coming
within reach again, dealt him another blow
After three or four strokes from the club,
Mr. Erskine tumbled from his horse, when
Sharpe dismounted and finished him with
another blow or two. He then took off one
of Mr.. Erskine's boots and bruised his ankle
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 pocket all
the notes and mortgages, the later held
against him and upon his property, and then
buried him as above stated.
After Mr. Erskine had fallen from his
horse, and before Sharpe had dismounted to
finish killing him. he asked that Major
George, Of this city, be sent for to take care
of his cattle. Upon the relation of this sto-
ny by the boy, the widest excitement en-
sued, and threats of summary execution
were freely INDUCED in. But calnler coun-
sells prevailed and Sharpe was taken to
Warrensburg and lodged 10 jail
After the confession Of young Sharpe. the
hired man signifed his desire to become
States evidence, and was accepted.
The murderer, James Sharpe, is one Of
the largest farmers in johnson County, is
we'll connected. and is said to be worth
about fifty thousand dollars
The murdered man was we'll known in
this city, in Virginia, where he formerly re-
sided, aud to all the cattle men in the South.
west His terrible death will create pro.
found feeling Of sympathy and sorrow for
him, and terrible measure Of public wrath
must be melted out to his brutal and coward
" murderer,