The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-11-28
"LAWLESS SHOOTING.
Man Killed in Martins Ferry
Wednesday Night.
MARTINS FERRY, November q.


Iennyson. b..
In the main, we grant that Mr.. Tenny
sons reasoning is good, and his differences
sound, but - Tcnnyson never knew
James Lawless, and the lines above quot
ed should read: IF man has an angel,
he has devil, too; and for years the
devil has been gaining the ascendency
in his nature, until now the climax is
reached when the angel departs and the
devil alone reigns in the heart
For about year the people of Martin S
Ferry hcvc been outraged by the actions
committed by James Lawlcss' He has
been before the authorities on an average
of about twice week, on charges of
plain and variegatcd DRINKS, breaches of
the peace, assault and battery, abusing
his wife. and the whole list almost of
minor crimes, but on Wednesday night
his career eliminated in his numbering
one John Wilkinson at his house. The
facts in the case are hard to reach, aS
there was no one in the house at the time
save Lawlcss, Wilkinson, Mrs. Lawless,
who was drunk at the time and continued
so until the next forenoon, and Lawleso'
four children, the oldest Of whom cannot
be more than six years old. 1t seems
there had been some i'll feeling between
Lawless and his victim for some time, rs
they had = fight during Il row at Law
less house some weeks ago, and accord
ing TO the statement of one of Wilkin-
sons comrades LawleSs had been jealous
of him for sometime. On Wednesday
afternoon Wilkinson had been to Wheel
ing and had drank some liquor, SO that
he was net drunk, but intoxicated, and
after crossing the river proceeded to Law
less house, it then being about o'clock.
He there bought pint of whisky, but did
not drink il, as it was found in his
pocket after his death. He and Lawle's
had some words, and, according to Mrs,
Lawless' version Of the story, as first told,
Lawlcss shot him without any provoca-
ton. The shot was fired at about nine
o'clock. and Wilkinson died in about
three-quarters of an hour. We visited
the house yesterday, and saw the place
by the door. between the sitting room
and Kitchen where he fell. There was a
large spot Of blood, perhaps yard
square, on the carpet, but otherwise the
room showed no signs OF the tragedy that
had been enacted in it. He died on the
floor where he fell, his head being raised
by pillows. His agony was dreadful ia
witness, but he spoke in clear voice till
the last, bidding those farewell who were
present. His body was then taken to the
Council room, where coroners inquest
was held, and then taken to his boarding
house. in Clark's addition, from whence
he was buried ut = o'clock Thanks.
giving afternoon. The deceased
was Il boiler at the ONO City
Iron and Nail Works, and gen
eral favuritc with his comrades, whose
excitement and Indignation were ~
great, that could they have gained access
to jim Lawlcss Wednesday night, they
would have lynched him. He was gen
orally known by the maine of Sailor
Jack, and had only been here about
eight months, and his previous life was
unknown, he claiming to have brother
in Troy, New York, but never speaking
of any other relatives. He was man OF
about thirty-fivc years of age, unmarried,
rather handsome, and generally well
dressed. He had some education, and
was not hard drinking man, although
in the habit Of using intoxicating liquors.
As soon rs Lawlcss saw the man fall
he started for DR.. o. b. Williams, but
not finding him ut home, he then went 10
the lookup, but not finding Marshal
Hayes there he then went to his house,
told him what he had done and asked to
be- protected, rs he was afraid of the MI.
men. He was taken to the city
building and confined, and Il
physician procured for the dying man.
Lawless showed very little feeling over
what he had done, and started on his way
to ST. Clairsvlllc, whittier he was sent for
examination of charge of murder in
the first degree, yesterday morning, in
IN apparently cheerful frame of mind.
Lswless has been man of VIGOROUSLY
bad habits. and it is said that he murder
ell "A man in Virginia some years ago.
and served outa term in the peniten-
tiary.
Mrs. Lawlc.>, in her way, is rs much
of II character n her husband. She has
this summer sold the whisky while Law
less dug coal. and yesterday instead OF
being stunned or shocked AT the recent
occurranccs, she was plying her trade
briskly, there being four men drinking
in her barroom while We We're there, and
conycrscd with no evidence whatever OF
feeling on her husband : drinking scrapes,
and his bad disposition, while in there
She changed her story somewhat from
that she frs, gave, and her last version
correspondent with the following state.
ment of LawleSs before Squire Eaglrson,