The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-09-05
The Manassas Abduction and Seduction
Case

The Manassas Abduction and Seduction
Case.
| There is law in the heart of true manhood
which is higher and more exacting than stat
utory enactment. 1t recognizes sudden and
terrible retribution upon any man who deli
berately seduces an innocent female and makes
l;fe to her a. living death. 1t quickly as
sumes that the man who can thus blast the
life of woman, by taking advantage of her
weakness, is unfit for society and that the
SLOW and uncertain process Of the law is in
adequate tothe objectionable crime. 70 our
mind there is no outrage upon society and
humanity 50 black and damning, no sin SO
aggravated in the.s sight of Heaven and Earth
/ as for man who is the recognized protect
or of woman-to deliberately plot her ruin,
or even yield to any seductive influences she
may employ. 1t is his duty to shield and
protect her even against herself. Ifhe fails,
he proclaims himself traitor to his high
mission, and a leprous spot upon society,
w hich should be removed with as little com
Function as you would lop off an infected
member of the body.
We know of no more aggravated and hor-
rifying instance of degraded humanity, than
that comprehended in the abduction and Sc
duction of beautiful and accomplished girl
aged about 16 years, of Manassas, named
Miss Fannie Jewell, by a married man nam
ed James T. Clarke, whose wife is young,
highly connected and educated, with two lit
tie children.
The particulars Of the case are given on
our first page. .ss:a .g..s
o. Saturday evening last, the brother Of
Miss Fewell, went to the Jail for the purpose
of killing Clarke. lie fired seven shots
through the grating, only two of which took
effect At first it was thought the wounds
would prove mortal, but his attending ply
sieian's last report was to the effect that he
might recover. Young Fewell gave himself
up to the officers f.the law voluntarily.
We are law-abidlng, and shudder at
the thought Of men taking the Arrangement of
wrong into their own hands, outside the pale
of the law. But such hcinous outrages upon
society are not sufficiently provided against
by the law. Clarke had made his boast that
! he could not be convicted under the statutes
It was Jewels duty then to his ruined sister
to put the migrate beyond opportunity Of
again poluting society by his pestiferous pre-
sence. The conscience Of virtuous men and
women eve, ywhere wall condone the act,
whether it is fatal or not.
Since the above was in type, We learn
from the Alexandria Sentlnelthat there is. nc
hope Of Clarke's recovery. Since the shoot
ing, the sympathies Of the people have react
ed in favor of Clarke. Fewell was still in
Jail, but had applied to be released on bail.
P. S.-Clarke died from the effects Of his
wounds on Sunday night.
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CovRT OF APPEALs.--The following con
stitute the proceedings Of the Court Of APP
peals continued from last week:
THURSDAY, August 29th, 1872.
Hansbrough 4 wife VS.. Stinnett- upon m O.
ton to dismiss for want CT jurisdiction. Mo-
ton docketed.
/ Poage VS.. Greenlee's heirs-upon super
sedeas to a decree Ct. c. of Rock bridge.
Further argued by G.. NJ Cochran and J. B
Baldwin for appellants.
FRIDAY, August Both, 1872
Poague VS.. Greenlee's helrs-upon SUI
persedeas to decree Of Circuit Court Of
Rockbridge Re argument concluded by j..
B. Baldwin for appfllees, and, J. r, Tucker
for appellant Time taken by the Court for
consideration.
SATURDAY, August 31st, 1872.
Hansbrough Il wife VS.. Stiunett-upon a
motion by the defendant to dismiss this suit
for want of jurisdiction, Motion argued by
Edmund Pendleton on behalf of defendant
and 6 w. Hausbrough for plaintiffs Time
taken for consideration. saa
MONDAY, Sept I'd 1872
Harris and others, VS.. Fulton Elk ors.-
Upon motion to renew Super 'edeas bond;
motion docketed and continued until Satur-
pay next
| Upon the petition of Jos. Brumbaugh. SUI
persedeas allowed to a judgment sof the Cir
cult Court of Shenandoah County.
Berry and others VS. Trick and others. Ar.
gumcnt concluded by Judge Fultz, y time
taken by the Court for consideration.
Ncwtons Ex'cr VS. Bushong & others. Up
on supersedeas to decree of the Circuit
Court Of Augusta. Argument commenced
by Judge Shetfey for appellants.
TUESDAY Sept Sd 1872,
Newton's Elk or VS. Bushong. Further ar.
gued by Judge Fultz for appellees.
AUGUSTA COUNTY DELEGATES. On Sa.
turday last, at the ward and Township elect
IONS the following delegates were chosen tx
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