The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-20

fs July 9th, 1874. !
Editors of the Register: y
Uur usually quiet county has been
thrown into state of considerable e1-
element by the recent commission of the
most brutal and unprovOked murder
found in the category of this years
crimes. .-.. --........ .------.---
The circumstances were about as fol-
follows: One Reuben Price, who for
some time past has been resident of our
county, having come hither from Frank
lin Co. Va, and man who has ever
been regarded with an eye of suspicion,
fired upon and killed one VIM. Morgan,
u very estimable young man Of this coun-
tv. who has ever borne an irreproacha-
bic character, and though little wild,
his integrity was never doubted by any
one.
With the view of casting stigma up
on the name of Morgan and Influenced
by fear that Morgan would divulge some
unpleasant secrets that Price had UNI
Willingly contided to him, Price charg-
ed Morgan with having stolen his horse,
and warrant was issued for the appre-
hension of Morgan. Upon
learning of this fact Morgan had Price
arrested upon Il charge Of offering coun-
terfeit money.
Upon the trial of the parties before one
of our Justices. under his wOrships ruling,
Morgan was not allowed to testify against
Price. for the reason that Morgan WAS
under arrest for felony(?), but stranger
still, upon Morgan's insisting upon
trial before some other magistrate, Price,
upon his release, was placed guard over
the said Morgan to conduct him to this
place.
After the parties had proceeded some
distance on their way, Price requested
that he might be allowed to speak to
Morgan privately. Upon falling back Il
few PAGES Price suddenly and most I'M
expcctedly commenced an attack upon
Morgan, who was utterly defenSelesS,
shooting him in the face, just below the
left eye, and as Morgan fell from his
horse he fired another shot, which en-
tered the thigh, and ranging up into the
bowels produced the death of young
Morgan on last Monday at about ten
o'clock two days after the shooting oc-
CURED. After his fcndish work was
completed. Price Immediately took to the
woods, followed, however, by several
shots from the guard, but unfortunately
without effect.
The country was aroused at once, and
in the immediate ncighbOrhOOd where the
tragedy was enacted, most intense was
the excitement Of the people, and many
were the VOWS of vengeance uttered, for
Morgan was general iuvorltc. Soon an
excited crowd of more than hundred
men was collected, all armed 10 the teeth,
and the hunt began for Price. The ar
rest Of several parties was made upon the
iaintcst suspicion of completely in the
offence; three or four parties were ar
rested. charged with being accessories
after the facts. Prices brother was ar
rested anon" the number but upon being
sent on for further trial attempted, very
foolishlv, to escape, and was going under
lash and whip before the aStonished spec
tators could realize the facts, but at once
a rapid firing was commenced upon the
fugitive, who. after ride of perhaps two
hundred wards fell from his horse crying
out that he would surrender. Of more
than one hundred shots that were fired,
singuarlv enough, but one touched the
body of Price, intlictinT a slight flesh
wound in the right shoulder. The man
is now in Jail at this place. Reuben
Price is still at large, but every effort is
making for his apprehension. The I'M
fortunate affair has thrown mantle of
gloom over the entire ncighborhood and
deep and genuine is the grief of the be-
reavcd mother and her family, who are
left to mourn the untimcly death Of an
atfcCtiOnatc son and brother.
From every portion Of our county we
hear complaints of the bad season and
hard times. In nearly every part Of the
county the crops of small grain will be
almost Il total failure. The crops Of corn
are tolcrably good, and bid fair, if favored
by good season, to make ut least an
average WELD. We learn that different
sections of our county, few days since,
were visited by very heavy and dcStruc-
tive hail storms. Upon some farms it is
reported that all the crop of both corn
and small grain WAS totally destroyed,
and that not even the fruit was spared.
Many apple trees were blown up by the
roots by a most violent wind accompany
ing the storm of hail.
Very little feeling on the subject of
polite, is manifested. 1t is the general
opinion that our genial and efficient Rep
rcSrntativc from thi, district, if he again
should be- candidate for Congress, will
be- supported by almost the unanimous
vote of the county. There are few OPP
posed to his reelection, and even they
have not attempted To attack his public
record, nor do they deny that his cNpcr-
fence in the House has brought with il
ability and competency to do more for
our good than can any other man in the
district. The opposition is mainly
prompted by personal feeling; for our
part we think that Hon. Frank Here
ford is tie man that our people need and
want. and We will do all We can in his
support On the DIST inst. We have II
meeting of our Executive Committee for
this county Ia send delegates t" the Char
lesion Convention for the 9TH Of August.
will communicate the action of said
-.