The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-28
LYNCH LAW IN WEST VIRGINIA.
The Hanging OF DIR. Crawford at
Berkeley Springs.

early Thursday morning, and hanged
He was at the time under arrest on sus
picion OF having poisoned farmer Of
Morgan county, named johnson, In
whose family he had become very init
mate. The Cumberland Ne'cs gives the
following IN regard to the man and hi:
history:
"a little over four years ago Crawford
came to Hancock, in this state, accom-
panied by handsome young woman,
and having in his possession lot OF
trained mice, canary birds, &c. Craw.
ford was between thirty and thirty.five
years of age, tall and we'll built, bru.
nette, with very dark hair and mustsche,
rather fine looking, though of a devillsh
cast OF countenance withal. Crawford's s
affairs at Hancock went smoothly on for
some months, until one morning sher-
IFS officer, with letter from some point
in Ohio, asking after girl whose de-
scriptive list was filled by Crawtords fe.
male companion, came noslng about, and
the lady was suddenly sent away by
Crawford, and does not appear on the
scene again. Shortly after this Crsw-
ford emigrated to Berkeley Springs.
"About two years and a half ago q
number of horses were stolen in Morgan
and Berkeley counties, and Crawford was
arrested on suspicion of being concerned
in the thefts. He was however, not con-
victed. and when he became clear be an
nounced himself as physician, and be-
gan to practice in different parts of Nor
gan county, rarely, If ever, appearing at
the springs. He maintained his charac-
ter of physician we'll. With the gentler
sex he was always popular, and he became
involved in more liatsonls than will proba.
bly, ever be known, the last, if rumor
be- true, leading to his hideous death In
view of this state of affairs, 1t is surpris-
ing that the first lady to whom ne pro-
posed marriage said "yes," and they were
married about two years ago. They did
not live happily, however, as he abused
her vilainously, and she finally left him.
In the meantime Crawford lad an alter
cation with his wife's brother, ending IN
Crswford's shooting at his brother in.
law, wounding him in the leg. For this
he was arrested ard tried, but by dint of
labor by eminent counsel he was again
freed from the clutches Of the law.
t." By this time DR.. Crawford's reputa-
ton with many people had suffered
greatly, but few had clung to him in
spite of all adverse circumstances and
the asy tongue of public rulnor. Among
these was the family of Mr.. johnson, q
well-to do Morgan county farmer, living
few miles from Berkeley Springs. Mr.
johnson had daughter with whom DR..
Crawford became very intimate and was
with her great deal, spending at times
days and weeks at her fathers house
Mr.. johnson 1ell sick some weeks ago
and placed himself in the doctors hands
for treatment. On or about the 9th ID
slant Mr.. johnson died, and DR..
Crawford declared that the body
should be inferred at once. Mrs. John
son objected, as she had written 10 her
SOD, who was away from home, and
wished him to be present at the funeral.
The doctor insisted that the funeral must
proceed at once, but finally yielded to
Mrs. Johnson's entreaties that it be post
poned for only one hour. At the end of
that time, the son not appearing, the body
was inferred. Mrs johnson, however,
was not quite satisfied with the proceed.
ing, and next day consulted with some
physicians, among them DR.. Green, of
berkeley Springs, and concluded to ex-
hume and examine the body. This was
done, and the presence of poison in the
stomach discovered.
"a warrant, charging the doctor with
murder was procured and he was ar
rested and confined in the county Jail
at Berkeley. The GOODNESS of the oit-
tried Crawford did not desert him, how
ever, and he at once took steps looking
to vigorous defense, employing skill
ful counsel, among them Mr.. &. j.
Faulkner jr, of Msrtinsburg, who visited
him last on Wednesday. In order to
confirm his first conclusions, DR.. Green
on Tuesday, the l4th inst, took to
Philadelphia the stomach of the deceased
Mr.. johnson, and bad its contents ana.
lyzed and its conditions examined by
chemical experts, who unhesitatingly
affirm that the death of Mr.. johnson
had been caused by the taking into the
stomach of tartar emetic. This decision
of the experts hecape generally known
in Morgan county during the latter part
of last week, and caused the greatest
indignation against the doctor, and
threats of lynching him were freely
made.
Up to twelve o'clock on Wednesday
night the streets of Berkely Springs was
as quiet as usual, and nothing was OBJ
servable, even by those who were bitter
est against the imprisoned doctor, and
would not have lnterferred in an at
tempt to lynch him, that portended the
dreadful tragedy so soon TO be enacted.
About one o'clock Thursday morning
several masked men went quietly along
the deserted Main street. and extin-
guished every street lamp save the one in
front OF the county jsil. Shortly after
party Of 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 jsller is absent" replied
one OF guard of six young men who
had been placed there only that night,
sand there are no keys here" No time
was wasted in psrley, and q few of the
party proceeded to neighboring black
smith shop and procured a twelve pound
sledge, with which the leader speedily
battered down the door OF the room in
which DR.. Crs ~ford was confined. 1t is
said that DR.. Crawford was heard to en-
courage the party and invite them IN.
Never fear said one of the party, we Il
be there coon enough Afterwsrd some
one said, "Put your hands behind you. 10
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
fortitude, though of course what took
place at tho hanging ia not known and
- e. of