The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-28
WEST VIRGINIA JUSTICE.


CRAWFORD At BERKELEY spR1NGs-HIs-
TORY OF AN ENTERPRIslNG RAsCAL-A
FRIEND KILLED WITH TARTAR EMETIc--
COOL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOB.
It was announced In a special dispatch in
the Sun of yesterday that one DR.. Craw-
ford, notorious character, In Jail at Berke-
ley Springs, West Virginia, had been taken
from the Jail by masked men early Thurs
day morning and hanged. He was ut the
time under arrest on suspicion OF having
poisoned farmer OF Morgan county named
johnson, i'm whose family he had become
very intimate. The Cumberland (Md.)
Ne,oS gives the following in regard to the
man and bis history:
ca little over four years ago Crawford
came to Hancock, in this State, accompanied
by q handsome young woman, and having
in his possession q lot OF trained mice,
canary birds, &c. Crawford was between
thirty and thirty-five years OF age, tall and
we'll built, brunette with very dark hair
and mustache, rather fine looking, though
OF devilish cast OF countenance witlial.
Crawford's affairs at Hancock went smoothly
on for some months, until one morning
sheritf's officer, with letter from some
point in Ohio, asking after girl whose
descriptive list was filled BY Crawford's
female companion, came Ilosing about. and
the lady was suddenly sent away by Craw-
ford, and does not appear on the scene again.
Shortly after this Crawford emigrated to
Berkeley Springs. rE,t,
About two years and half ago a num-
Der of horses were stolen in Morgan and
Berkeley counties, and Crawford was ar
rested on suspicion OF being concerned in
the thefts. He was, however, not convicted,
and when he became clear he announced
himself as physician, and began TO prac-
tice in different parts OF Morgan county,
rarely, il ever, appearing at the Springs.
i1e maintained his character OF 4 physician
well. With the gentler sex he was always
popular, and he became involved in moro
iidiSons than will probably ever be known,
the last, il rumor be true, leading to his
hideous death. In view of this state OF al
fairs it is not surprising that the first lady
to whom he proposed marriage said eyes,"
and they were married about two years ago.
abused her vllainously, and she finally left
him. In the meantime Crawford had an
alteration with his wife's brother, ending
i'm Crawford's shooting at his brother-n-
law. wounding him in the leg. For this he
was arrested and tried, but by dint Of labor
by eminent counsel he was again freed from
the clutches OF the law.
sBv this time Or. Crawford's reputation
with many people had suffered greatly, but
few chung to him in spite OF all adverse
circumstances and the busy tongue OF pub
lie rumor. Among these was the family OF
a Mr.. johnson, well-to-do Morgan county
| farmer, living few miles from Berkeley
Springs. MIR. johnson had daughter with
whom DR.. Crawford became very intimate,
and was with her a great deal, spending at
times days and weeks at her fathers house.
Mr.. johnson fell sick some weeks ago, and
placed himself in the Doctors hands for
treatment. On or about the 9th instant Mr..
johnson died, and DR.. Crawford declared
that the body should be inferred ut once.
Mrs. johnson objected, as she had written
to her son, who was away from home, and
wished him to be present ct the funeral.
The Doctor insisted that the funeral must
proceed ut once, but finally yielded to Mrs.
.Johnson's cntreaties that it be postponed for
only one hour. At the end Of that time,
the son not appearing, the body was in
TERED. Mrs. johnson, however, was not
quite satisfied with the proceeding, and next
day consulted with some physicians, among
them DR.. Green, of Berkeley Springs, and
concluded to eXhume 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 arrested
and confined in the county jail at Berkeley.
The GOODNESS OF the oft-tricd Crawford did
not desert him, however, and he at once
took steps looking to vigorous defence,
employing Skilful counsel, among them Mr..
c. J. Faulkner, Jr., OF MartinSburg, Who
visited him last on Wednesday. In order to
confirm his first conclusions, DR.. Green, on
| Tuesday the 14th instant, took TO Philadel-
phia the stomach Of the deceased Mr.. john
son, and had its contents analysed and its
condition examined by chemical experts,
who unhesitatingly affirmed that the death
of Mr.. johnson had been caused by the TAX
ing into the stomach Of tartar emctic. This
decision OF the experts became 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 II O'Clock on wednesday night
the streets of Berkeley Springs were as qulct
as usual, and nothing was observable, even
bv those who were bitterest against the i'm
Drisoncd doctor, and would not have inter-
| fercd in an attempt to lynch him, that por-
tended the dreadful tragedy so soon to be
enacted. About O'Clock Thursday morn
| ing several masked men went quietly along
| the deserted main street and eNtingulshed
every street-lamp save the one in front OF
the county Jail. Shortly after party OF
from twenty-five to forty men, all masked
except onc-a large, powerful man, who
acted as leader-approached the Jail, and
two or three entered and demanded the Keys
| of the Jail. The jailer was absent, replied
one of guard of six young men who had
been placed there only that night, and there
were no KEYS there. No time was wasted
in parley, and few of the party proceeded
to neighboring blacksmith-shop, procured
twelye-pound sledge, with which the
leader speedily battered down the
door OF the room in which DR..
Crawford was confined. 1t is said
that DR.. Crawford was heard to en-
courage the party, and invite them in.
"Ncver fear" said one OF the party, "We'll
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 ac-
cepting it with philosophic fortitude,
though, of course, what took place ut the
hanging is not known and will not be, for
many years at least. The lynchers pulled
the unfortunate man out 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 at O'Clock
the courthouse bell was rung and the
whole town aroused, though pursuit OF the
lynchers was not attempted nor investlSa-
lions made until daylight. Then, at point