South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-01
1omney, Hampshire County West Va. September l. 1876

however, was not quite satisfied with the
proceeding and next day consulted with
some physicians. among them DIR. Green,
oil berkeley Springs, and concluded to
exhumc and examine the body. This
was done aud the presence OF poison in
the stomach discovered. A warrant.
charging the doctor with murder was
procured, and he was arrested and con-
hned in tho county Jail at Berkeley
The GOODNESS OF the oft.tried Crawford
did not desert him. however. and he nj
once took steps looking to n vigorous
defence, employing skillful counsel. a.
mong them MIR. c. j. Faulkner, Jr.. of
Martinsburg, who visited him last on
Wednesday. In order to confirm his
| first conclusions, DIR. Green, on Tuesday.
the l4th inst, took to PHILADELPHIA tho
stomach Of the deceased Mr.. johnson
and had its contents analysed and it's
condition examined by chemical experts.
who unhesitatingly affirmed that the
death OF Mr.. j. had been caused by tho
| taking into the stomach of tartar.cmetic.
| ms decision OF the experts became &c.
morally known in Morgan county during
the latter part Of last week. and caused
the greatest Indignation against the doc.
tor, and threats of lynching him were
freely made. The physician and the al.
legged victim OF his medical knowledge
became the exclusive topics Of general
discussion. and the impression got abroad
that il Crawford were tried he would es.
cape rs he had always done before, this
Impression being followed by a sort OF
general idea that he should be made way
with before a trial could be had. MANY
people did not hold to this view, and
were little prepared for the tragedy YES
terday morning. but hundreds exhibited
no surprise yesterday and still more had
no words Of disapproval for the terri
bic deed
Up TO twelve o'clock on Wednesday
night the streets of Berkeley Springs
were rs quiet as usual and nothing was
observable, even by those who were bit.
terest against the imprisoned doctor and
would not have interiercd in an attempt
to lynch him, that portended the dread.
ful tragedy so soon to he enacted. A
bout one o'clock yesterday morning sew.
cral masked men went quietly along the
deserted main street and extnguished
every street.lamp save the one i'm front
OF the county Jail. Shortly after n party
oil from twenty-five TO forty men, all
masked, except one, large, powerful
man who acted as leader, approached
the Jail and two or three entered and
demanded the keys Of the Jail. The
Jailor was absent. replied one of n guard
OF six young men who had been placed
there only that night, and there we're no
keys there. No time was wasted in
parley and few Of the party proceeded
to neighboring blacksmith shop. pro.
cured twelve pound sledge, wi h which
the leader speedily battered down the
door OF the room in which DR.. Crawford
was confined. It's said that DR. Craw
ford was heard to encourage the party,
and invite them in. Never fear" said
one of the party; well be there soon
enough" Afterward some one said.
Put your hands behind you," to which
the doctor made no reply. This was
all the conversation that took place. the
doctor evidently realizing his fate and
accepting it with philosophic rortitudc.
though of course what took place ut the
hanging is not known and will not be.
Tor many years at least. The lynchers
pulled the unfortunate man on. Of bed
and did not allow him time to dress but
dragged him away and were seen no
more. No alarm was given at once, but
nj three O'Clock the courthouse bell was
rung, and the whole town aroused. though
pursuit of the lynchers was not attempt.
ed. nor investigations made until day.
light. Then, ut point on the creek.
about three quarters Of mile from town
was found the dead body of DIR. Crawford
hanging from tree. The lynchers had
taken him there, clad only in his shirt
and drawers, tied his hands behind him.
put about his neck one end of n long
piece Of half-inch rope. tied in simple
siip'knot. and throwing the other end
over the limb of tree. drawn him ND
and secured the free end Of the rope TO
fence near by. and left TO slowly strug.
gle to his awful death, which must have
been caused by simple asphyxia.
An inquest was held over the remains
yesterday, and verdict Of death from
hanging at the hands OF parties unknown
TO the jury" was rendered. There is no
clue TO the identity Of any Of the lynch.
ers, for though the Jail guards ali saw
the unmasked leader. all declare that
they did not know him. Tic terrible
affair was the general topic OF CONVEX.
sation yesterday, and though the man.
ner of the guilty mans death was not
approved. there were few or none who
regretted bis end Beyond Crawford's
career in Hancock and Morgan county
nothing whatever is known Of him. and
his memory there will SAVIOR Of little hat
hatred and disgust, even though none Of
the various crimes with which he was
charged were proven in court.--CuD,.
5erl,md Nelcs, Arg. 24.