South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-04-14

In the year 1871. the now hourishinx
city OF Steubenville, Ohio, was q very
small place. It's population was noted
for its quiet and orderly character. and
there was not single liquor saloon in
the place.
crime Was very rare, and the circuit
judges often had occasion to congratu.
late the people upon not having single
criminal case upon their calendar.
In consequence there was intense ex.
citement In Steubenville, when, at IN
early hour in the morning Of the seven.
teenth Of November. in the above men.
toned year, the report reached the place
that the corpse Of man had been found
In the woods within hundred yards Of
the last house Of the town, and close to
the Pittsburgh turnpike, with every in.
dication that an atrocious murder had
been committed. The Sheriff, accompa-
MED by some fifty citizens, Immediate
ly fastened to the spot indicated to him
by the person who had discovered the
remains Of the murdered man. That
person was a decrepit old woman, who
had gone out to gather brushwood. No
one would have suspected her under any
circumstances of having had anything
to do with the bloody deed, and, beside,
she manifested such unfeigned horror
in describing what she had seen ut the
dismal spot in the woods, that she was
unhesitatingly allowed to go about her
business.
Upon arriving at the scene Of the sup
posed murder. the Sheriff and his com.
panions saw at a glance that terrible
crime had been committed. The dead
man was covered all over with frozen
gore, and seven wounds, apparently in
flictcd with sharp knife, were found
upon the body. His head was still
covered with nice felt hat. His face
presented most CHASTITY aspect.
A terrible cash extended from the left
temple TO the right jaw. Another cash
was in the forehead. The victim was
dressed in substantial fur coat. He
was apparently forty.two years old.
When his pockets were examined
they were found to be entirely empty.
But close to the body was found an old
fashioned wallet. 1t was still open, rs
if its contents had been taken from it.
and as if he who had cmptied it had af.
At distance of about ten yards from
the corpse. near an old log, lay pecu-
liarly shaped fur cap. 1t could not have
belonged to the murdered man for. rs
we have said before, he had his hat on
his head.
The ground was covered with snow.
and there were number OF light foot
prints visible on it. These were the on
ly indications of the perpetrator of the
horrible crime.
The coroner was sent for, and until
his arrival the Sheriff and his compan.
ions went to the Ohio tavern, which was
situated at no great distance from the
scene Of the murder
When the Sheriff told the landlord OF
the murder, and described to him the
appearance of the corpse, the landlord
exclaimed ut once:
Great God that poor fellow cannot
be anybody else than Mr.. Sammis the
Pittsburgh cattle dealer. He was here
last night, and took supper will. anoth.
er man from Pittsburgh, whose name
was Belson or Wilson, and who rode on
toward Pittsburgh Immediately after he
had left the table. Mr.. Sammis sat in
the front room with me and Jack Canon
for an hour, when tho two went out TO.
gether."
Jack Capon was q dissolute but very
good natured fellow, about thirty years
old, who had q decided aversion to work.
and still more decided prediction
for strong drink.
lie could not get any whiskey at Stou-
benville, and hence he often walked for
miles and miles in order to obtain n "wee
drop OF whiskey. When lie was sue.
sessful he returned with his hat full of
bricks to Steubenville, where he had fire.
quently been punished by the esquire"
for intoxication, with fine and imprison.
ment. Still everybody liked him be.
cause he had an excellent, unselfsh
heart and never forgot favor done bin.
What sort Of n hat did Capon wear
last night3" asked the Sheriff.
"Why, no hat, but fur cap-made of
beaver skin-with two ear covers.
"Was this the cap?" said the Sheriff.
producing the fur cap which he had
found near the corpse of the murdered
man, and which he had thus far been
holding under his cloak.
yes, exclaimed the landlord. that is
Capon's cap, and no mistake, where did
you find it?''
The Sheriff told him. Everybody
seemed horror-struck at the idea that
poor Jack Capon should have committed
so atrocious n crime.
Men were Immediately dispatched 10
hunt up Jack Capon. They did not find
him at his wonted haunts in Steuben.
vile; but n man who was well acouain.
ted with his habits, said if he could be
found anywhere it would be at the cabin
Of old Sim Brooks.
Brooks lived in the woods on tho
pittsburgh side Of Steubenvile about
one mile from the spot where the corpse
OF Mr.. Sammis had been found. Like
Jack Capon, old Brooks was fond of
whIskey. and tue two would frequently
drink together until they we're utterly
obliyious Of the cares and sorrows Of
this world, which. as they thought. had