South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-03-24
Trial Of poweli la Lewis County.
this State. for tse Marler Of Net.


10 Richard Dowell. for the murder
% Edmund NJ. West and his son. join.
r. Wet, last December. had his trial la
Weston. last wecis. .rac Der-oe-r.. OF
si.at place gives the particulars of this
dreadful crime, "a follows: :.
The Nests were shot ct nignt while
returning from n religious meeting. with
some others--;he elder " est carrying u
large torch, TO which lac had added ano.
ther, belonging to Louis Flint. In go-
ing home they had to pass through
meadow field belonging 20 William Lin.
ger, and when the party were probably
$50 yards from the Church. and West
was engaged in conversation with ano.
Their party who were going in different
direction, gun was fired, aud Edmund
VI. West was shot in the head aud kill.
ed. John X. West, who was also fear.
fully wounced in the heal and body,
survived untl the next morning-the
only Ineligible words he uttered after
the shot beisg fired. were: "Oh, | am
shot all to pieces,-I can never get
we'll" The dead and wounded men
were carried back to the Church amid
scene OF the most intense excitement !;
for they were not the only ones injured.
y ball had passed through the hat OF
Mr.. Flint, and another hal burned the
neck OF Mr.. John ). JetIrey's little
daughter. who was standing, close by.
Evidently the gun was fearful weap.
on. heavily charged with powder and
large buckshot."
The trial lasted some nine days, when
the case was given to the jury, and in a
short time, they rendered verdict of
guilty of murder in the first degree.
The Judge, as we learn from the same
paper, then asked the prisoner if he
had anything To say why the sentence
of death should not be passed upon him.
And then commenced scene which
Will never he forgotten by those pres
ent; tor If ever agony was depicted in
the body OF man, it was in the person OF
Richard Dowels, when. with conclusive
sobs. he replied. II haze" Ills trem.
bling limbs failed 30 support his body,
and Judge Brannon told MIN to be seat
cd, and take rs much time as he desired
10 say what he wanted. At one time it
appeared that his feelings would over
power him, and that he would faint but
glass Of water handed TO him by Mr..
Edmiston. revived him. Then, between
the great sobs which seemed rs if they
would tear his body asunder, he said,
Il DID THE DEED" IL was hired by
George Peter Eckes to do it; anil was
urged on by Andrew Lumsford and FL.
ward ilcrsman. did not think could
be induced to ito such thing; but |
was hired and coaxed; and they gave
me whiskey with some kind Of drugs in
it, until didn't know what was doing.
They told me that they would kill me if
didn't do it, ask the mercy of the
Coart ~ The effect OF the confession
was astounding. The rumors that
confession would be made, had not re.
ceived much creaence; and we arc in.
formed that it was entirely unexpected
by the Court. Lawyers AMI spectators
were alike taken unawares; and looks
OF CHASTITY surprise were upon every
face. As soon as I've could recover from
the excitement which naturally prevail
ed, MIR. Edmjston, ON behalf OF the State.
arose. and moved the Court TO suspend
the sentence until the next term. The
sentence of death was postponed by
Judge Bfannon, so that the State may
use him rs witness against the other
parties. \ motion has been made by
the counsel OF the other men accused
to change the Venue OF the TRIAL, 10
Clarkshurg.