The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-01-10
ASSASSINATION.
A Fearful Double Murder
Two Persons Slaughtered
in Cold Blood.

On the night of the 23d Of Deem
Ter occurred the mos. deliberate ant
fearful murder that has ever beer
committed in this portion ofthc State
Not even in the midst Of war. wher
mems passions were unrestricted, anc
human life esteemed so lightly. wa
there recorded such an instance Of de-
liberate, premcdi,a'cd and cold'blooded
murder. In oil the annals Of crime. nc
more fearful proof Of mans iuhuman'
i,y to man" has ever been brought te
light.
The victims Of the crime werc John
r. West aud his son Edmund NJ. West
the former a man Of about SO years
Of age; tho latter youth Of about IL
or 90.
In company with many others. West
aud bis sou had been attending 4 pro
tractcd meeting at what is kuswn as
EIopewell Church, little church 90
tie waters of Stone Coal Geek. but a
short Distance from the Upshur county
line. Before leaving the church. West
prepared and lit large torch. for the
beue6. Of himself. his fsnily. aud 9th
efs, who were going in the same direc.
ton. The parties crossed over fence.
into the meadow field Of Nj. William
Linger. and wrrc probably $50 yards
from. the church. when ashot was 6rrd.
and young West fell dead. The older
victim, although shot in the head (hls
brains oozing from The wound) lived
until next morning. Then followed a
scene Of the uildcs. excitement. The
wife and mother Of the murdered men
was'within few feet Of them when the
fatsl shot was fred. Ouc Of the bull.
lets cut lock of hair from the head ola
young lady in the party; and another
passed through the hat Of a gentleman
near her Amid the shrieks and cries
Of the people. the bodies were carried
back to tho church. Information OF
the occurrence was conveyed TO Squire
James Wilson, who immediately sum.
u,uucd c,roner's jury. "A great deal
Of testimony vas heard. and finally 4
warrau, was issued for the arrest Of
Richard Dowe,l, as the principal in the
murder, and George Peter Eckes, Ell.
win Hcrsmau. David Hersman. and
Andrew Lunsfurd as accessories before
the fact. The parties were arrested
and confined il school house on Stone
Coal but on Sunday. the Goth ult ,
Prosecuting Attorney Elmistou having
been sent for. the parties accused were
brought to the jail in this place for
safe keeping Excitement ran high,
and i, vas feared that attempts might
be made to summarily punish tn: par
ties accused. = On the 10Th ult.. aided
By Justices Stricken and Washburus.
Justice Wilson aud the jury resumed
the taking Of testimony before tue iu-
quest; and Mr.. Moihudiu was Gu.
nlnycd 10 ,,ks down Tho testimony as
frson;ted by law. After examining
.oa," e;cb, or Tan witnesses. the iurS
a,nr.s.sS ,bs;r v;,l;o,nss, To render n
verdict. aud after consideration, sub.
m:,,s, Tho ALLOWING:
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