Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-22
Revival Of an Old Murder.

Revival Of an Old Murder. \
Yesterday there was arraigned before
Justices D. N. Vanlear and D. W. Conner
an old man about SIS years Ct age, named
James E. Spencer, who had been brought
here charged with the murder OF Christie
pher Slower near Barterbrook or the nlghs
of the 10Th of March, 1868. The murder
was a remarkable one. Mr.. Slower was an
aged farmer with a wife and two children
at home. On the fatal Monday night there
was company at his house, consisting OF
four young men-Messrs. VIM. and Ropt.
McCrary and two Mess. klndlgs, n nVe
young ladies. About nine O'Clock three
men with BACKED faces entered the house
pistols in hand. Slower seized an axe ana
wounded one man. The resistance seemed
to be unexpected and the robbers turned
their attention to Robt. McCrary who had
slipped out to give the alarm and fired at
him shooting him through the lungs. Ihey
then all went out and turning tired MI.
| Slower who was standing in the door and
| shot him through the heart. Young Nc
Crazy recovered from his wound. He died
about six months ago. Two men were ar
rested to whom the circumstantial evil
| dence pointed but they were tried and ac-
quilted. 1t was thought that the intention
was to kill Nh. Jacob Slower who had
drawn a large sum of money from q bank
in Staunton that day, but they made a mis-
take and went to the house of Christopher
Slower. One of the men acquitted is now
a preacher in Indiana.
The prisoner, Spencer, who is a shoema-
ker, was living near Stover's at the time;'
and afterwards moved to Nelson county.
He is a man Of strong frame. with a good
face, and though he was represented by one
witness as the ''wickedeSt man God ever
put Oh the EARTH" another testified that
he was not a bad man, except to his wives,
Of which he has several, and he often has
rows with them. The principal witness
against him, and the only one that appear
ed to know anything Of the confession"
was Francis E. Campbell, al honest look
ing young fellow from Nelson, a grandson
of the murdered man, who testified that on
the Sth inst, in that county, while Spen-
Ger was helping HIM to build a chimney,
he was talking of some great exploits, and
among them that he chad killed one id
old hog, and if lie could kill Bob Craig
would be willing to die" Campbell asked
who the old hog vas. Spencer said he was
afraid to tell him; but then said it Wastlat
ed old Slower" The witness had a
few days before heard Spencer threaten
to kick one of his wives out OF doors, ano
she said to him, Remember while you are
kicking me, faint old Slower you are
killing"
Francis j. Campbell, father of the wit
ness, and a son-in-laW of the murdered
man, testified that the night after the muir
der, being notified of it, he was or his
way to The house and stopped at Spencer:
house, and his wife told him that he hal
not been at home for two or three nights
and she thought he was down at thu
Furnace.
MI. NJ. r. Coalter stated the facts of the
murder, Slower living only a few yard
from his house, and that he Went there OF
being told that the murderers were in the
house, with his pistols, but found then
gone, and Slower just dying.
Mrs. Sallie Campbell and Miss Lydi'
Craig were sworn, but knew nothing of tn
sconfession' of their own knowledge.
During the examination, the old NAL
sat clad in a blue army-overcoat, and muc'
mended clothing. He was a good deal ex
cited, and apparently indignant at tn
charge, and gave his counsel-Mr Georg'
M. Cochran, Urinary suggestions while
the witnesses were testifying. Mr. Sneed
testified to the good character of the ole
man, saving his polygamous weakness ant
d pretty bad temper. MI. Meade F.. White
appeared for the Commonwealth, in The
absence of Capt. ~Bumgardner.
The case was continued and the prisoner
remanded till next Wednesday, when, i
there is any evidence to connect him will
the murder, the Commonwealth will pro
duce it. The wife of the murdered mai
always suspected Spencer of being access
sorry to the deed, because he ceased visiting
their home after it's commission.