Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-29

TED AT THE MOUTH OF THE PloioL-
THE ALLEGED BLACK MAILER COMMIT
TED TO PRISON.
&C.. &C., sc.
A few days since most remarkable
case of alleged black mailing was brought
to the attention of the authorities, with
the result of lodging in Jail a young man
named VIM. II. Wooddell, a former depu-
ty constable of the county, upon the charge
of extorting from Benjamin Karicofe, q
well known citizen of the vicinity of Mt.
Scion, his bonds for $500. Karicofe is a
respectable farmer and man of great per-
sonal strength, but is a quiet man. He
made a reputation for muscle about the
beginning of the war while the SD regl-
mvnt was being organized here, when
bully having thrashed everybody else he
wanted to, came across Karicofes and was
used up in very short order. Wooddell has
been, as stated, a deputy constable ana DE-
haven himself well in the discharge OF the
duties of his office. The.
BLACK MAILING.
which:is a novel offence in this county, is
alleged to have been done in the following
manner: On Saturday the 18th of Au-
gust, Wooddell who lives only few hun
bred yards from Karicofe sent for him to
come to his house. After arriving there
he found Wooddell armed with carblne,
who when near enough to be heard address
ed him. charging him with the seduc-
ton of his wife and declaring his inten-
lions to kill him. He ordered K. to his
knees, holding the gun cooked and pointed
at him. After abusing and threatening
him for time he ordered K. to rise and
take Mrs. Wooddell and her clothes, which
Wooddell bundled up and threw to him,
and take her off. Karicofe left, Mrs. Wood
dell walking with him to his home. After
being there several hours one of Wooddell's
children came to Karicofes and told Mrs.
W. that her married daughter was i'll and
wanted her at her house. Mrs. W. left
with the child and went home and from
there to her daughters.
THE EXToRTION.
Early on the following Monday morning
Wooddell mounted his horse and rode over
to Karicofe's, finding him engaged in his
pasture field about fifty yards from the
road. He called to him to come to him,
but Karicofe replied, ''Y GU are armed Bill
and 1 don't want to get into your hands
again." Wooddell drawing a navy revol-
yer replied. telling him that he could reach
him from there, and warned him not to run.
Upon his agreeing not to hurt him, Kari
COTE went to him, W. demanded an
amount of money from him but was told
by K. that he didn't have any money; that
he was poor man. Wooddell replied that
he knew what he had; that he had an in
terest in a contract with his father and
must assign that to him or he would kill
him. Karicofe then got his horse to go
with W. to a magistrate at Mt. Scion to
make the assignment.
ANOTHER DEMAND.
On nearing the village Wooddell stopped
in the road and drawing his pistol said.
Karicofe would have to do more yet; that
he must give his bonds for $500, and he,
Wooddell, would make them payable
yearly, so the giver might have a chance
to'make the money to pay them. Karicofe
after some remonstrance consented to this
and they went on to Justice D. N. Van
Lear's house and found him in. The JUS
tice who of course, knew nothing OF the
circumstances drew up the assignment OF
the interest in the contract and also five
notes for 800 each payable to Woodden,
which were all duly signed by Karicofe and
handed over. After leaving the Justices
house Wooddell told Karicofe that he had
better get away from there as soon as pos
sible as he didn't know but that he would
kill him yet.
THE TABLES TURNED.
Karicofe left the neighEorhood that
evening and went to Highland county
where he was doing job of water piping.
On the 18th of September having finished
it he returned home, and taking the pre-
caution to arm himself with double bar
relied gun, set about getting a warrant for
the arrest of Wooddell, which was issued
on the 18th inst. by Justice Van Lear, and
the same officer on the 10th committed
Wooddell who had been arrested, to jail to
await the action of the grand jury.
NEWSPAPER SwINDLER.-Last week
we published the fact that a man giving
the name of Harris, had been swindling
number Of persons out of money on the
pretence of taking subscriptions to the
V1ND1cAToR. He is described as man
of medium height, about 25 years of age,
thin visage and person, with sandy
goatee. The exposure in the VINDICA-
TOR. Friday, caused him to hurry off, and
on that day he paid Mr.. Harrison Ross
dollar to put him across Middle River, at
Hope Mill Ferry. He was making his
way towards Mt. Sidney, doubtless to
take the cars A number of gentlemen
were in Staunton, Monday, attending
the court, who were swindled by him. One
of them showed the following receipt of
the swindler:
Sept. 10Th, 1S76.-Receiyed of G.. G.
Iayman the sum of 81, club price of
Staunton VINDICATOR, for one year, be-
Ginning January 18th, 1877, and ending
January 18th, 1878. "A. nj. HARRIS.
The fellow had evidently had access to
the subscribers names at some of the
post-offices, as he was posted On the date
their subscription expired, and made out
his receipts accordingly.
THE FAIR.-The Board of Directors Of
the Augusta Fair met on Wednesday,
present, President Jno. Towberman, and
Directors Jno Parkins, W. M. Tate. d.