The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-03-20
EXCITEMENT.
Suspension Of the Sentence.
REVIEW OF THE TRIAL,
A Sketch of the Lives Of the
Prisoners.

In the TIVE last issues Of tbs DEM.
Graf, VIC have endeavorcd TO give our
readers IN impartial synopsis of the
proceedings in Court. in relation to the
trial Of Richard Dowell, indicted for
the murder Of John Il. West. AS
that trial is now ended, aud it only re.
mains for tho judgment of the jury 10
be carried into effect, it may not be ir-
appropriate to review, briefly, the par.
ticulars of the most fearful crime ever
perpc.rated in this State.
TnR MURDER.
On tho night Of the 23l Of Deem.
Der last, West and his family attended
a pro,racsed meeting then 10 progress
q. HOpewell Church. on Stone Coal
Greek. just inside the Lewis county
limo. The meeting was being held by
Rev. George Barrett. Of the Methodist
Protestant Church, who was an impor-
tan. witness in tho trial. Alter the
services bad been concluded for the
night, the Vests. with some others,
started home, the elder West carry.
ing large torch. to which he had ad-
ded another. belonging to Louis Flint
In going home they had to pass
through meadow field belonging to
William Lingcr, and when the party
were probably $50 yards from the
Church, and West was engaged in
conversation with another purity who
were going in different direction. a
gun was fired, aud Edmund NJ. West
was shot in the head aud killed. John
X. West, who was also fearfulIy
wounded 10 the head aud body, sur.
vivcd until the next morniue-'he Gully
iutelIigiblo words he uttered after the
shot being fred. were: "Oh, | an
shot all to pieces,-l can never get
we'll" Tho dead and wounded men
we're carried back to the Church amid
scene Of the most intense excitement;
for they were not the ouly ones injured
A ball had passed through tue hat OF
Mr. Flint, aui another had burned the
neck Of Mr.. John S. JclTrcy'g little
daughter, who was standing close BY.
Evidently the gun was a fearful wea.
pom. heavily charged with powder and
large buckshot.
TIE lSoCEsT.
On the day following the murder an
inquest was held on the bodies, at
Hopewell Church, BY Squire Wilson ;
aud aztec hearing portion Of the tes'
umony, warrants were issued for the
arrest of Richard Dowell. George Peter
Eckes, Andrew Luusford, Edwin
lIcrsman and David llersmau. They
were accordingly arrested; but the ex'
citenlent being Of such character as
to render il unsafe to keep tho prison.
ers near the scene of the murder. they
we're brough, to town and placed 10
jail. Squire Wilson, aided BY jus
tees StrlckIcr and Washburue, pro
ceeded at the Court House to take fur
Their testimony before the jury, which
resulted in the verdict published in
Tng DEMOCRAT of January 10Th.
BEFORE THE JUSTICES.
The prisoners were then Immediately
brought up for examination by the
Justices before named, aud the evi.
dencc being of such character as in
their judgment warranted a belief in
the guilt Of the parties accused, they
were remaadcl to jnil TO await tue ac'
ton Of the examining COurt-applica
tiou for bail for any Of the prisoners
being pcremptorily refused.
BLroRE Tub COUNTY COURT.
On the 18th day oil February lust, the
prisoners were brought before The
County Court-Judge Edwards, aud
Justices Oliver aud Turner on tit
nv DDI Grorre ] Arnold aud ilrury
Ijraunou, aud the State represented by
| Mr.. Andrew Edmistou. After au ex
animation. lasting q days. conducted
with great garuestuGss aud ability BY
, %"I o1,,ussI an bulh sides, the Couf,
J tiS David Iler,mau, aud re,
m,nJrJ the t.., 10 iu,l 10 uw4i, the nc,
49, ~ rho ,;r,uJ jurv in the Circui,
w." y '
Nou'h