South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-03-24
The Trial Of Bean e. the MUIR
der Of r. 81. Wilburn.


y The MooreHeld papers oflas. week.
publish the evidence. so far as ELECTED
up to Friday last. in the trial of Frede-
rick w. Bean for the murder OF +. Will
burn. below We give the testimony Of
Mr.. Oats in the case:
CnARLEs OATs.-Lives in Bean set
Element about 10 miles from here and two
miles from Fred Beans and went there
to get some clothes. then started home,
Bean asked him to stay and spell, did
so. Alter dome speiling Fred. asked me
to 60 out with him, and as We went he
said he took his gun to the corn6cld.
hut as It was toowet to shnck went from
there to tile blockade and slipped oyer
from the run TO tho blockade and shot
Wilbutn ut the lower left corner OF it.
TIE first and second time he drew up his
heart failed, but third time he let slide,
that he carried him around 10 right cor
her blockade and laid him down, went
back and covered up place where he
killed him, that he heard Mrs. wilburn
haltoo for him, and she and Ralph were
looking for him, and ID they had come
where he was would have shot them too.
he ran and hid. aiterward moved him
agair, and bid the axe under q clies
oak log, that he shot him i'm the back OF
the neck. and lie fell on his face like a
hog. lie told me should help him or
he would kill ME, told him could not.
that il would he found ont. He said he
! (Wilburn) had no friends. and wouli
never be looked for, aud ifhe was found
they'd have to prove point blank he
done it. l went and helped him carry
the body away. Made pine torch and
Fred carried the light, carried him up
the hollow, part of the time in our arms
and part on our shoulders, Fred. carried
his body and I his feet. about half
m lc. and left him in low place on
right hand side as you go up. As We
put the body down Fred. said, d-n
you, lay there, and told me If I ever
said anything about it he'd kill me. and
promised I'd never tell it. Near about
3 O'Clock in the morning we went TO
Fred's house and went to bed. Slept
with John Bennett in the same room
with Bean and his wife, heard her ask
him how we got alone. he said very well,
but j gave out; went home the next
morning before break fast, and returned
TO school.house about dinner time.
HARDY County, March 81.
Mn. HAMPER The trial Of Fred.
erick Bean for .theymurder. OF r. II.
Wilburn was concluded this morning.
by the jury returning a verdict of
Guilty OF murderrin the 6rst degree"
and fixing the penalty therefor CON
hnement in the PenitaDtiary for life
The jury was polled. SO that the dc.
cision was unanimous.
This has been long and tedious
trial. having CONSUMED the entire time
OF the court since its commencement on
the 9TH. There vas : large number of
witnesses on the part or the State. and
the few .on the part or the defence con-
sumcd six days OF that time. II. =.
Carr. Prosecuting Attorney. assisted bv
Joseph Sprigg, prosecuted on behalf Of
the State. and which they did ably aud
we'll. The defence was ably repres ented
by his attorneys, Col. White and Mr..
Flournoy. OF your town, Mr. CLAYTON.
OF kcyser, and James G.. Baker, Of
Moorefeld. They did nil for their client
that seemed possible. and the Colonel
was not even willing to stop at posi-
bilities, but from his great earnestness,
untiring energy, plansihility and sophis-
try, reached point that only hopeless
case could Justify, anc which. too, with
a less intelligent jury, might have ac.
complished the result lie strove so hard
to accomplish The jury, however,
were good and substantial men. and the
evidence overwhelming, that the odds
against him were equally overwhelming.
have heard of no dissenting voice to
the finding Of the Jury. AS ! understand
it, there was no difficulty with the jury
in their finding. except between the rope
and penitcntiary
Immediately after the conclusion of
the Bean trial. Henry Ward (colored)
was arraigned upon the charge Of bur.
glary and felony committed at the
Mullin Hotel lie made short work OF
il by confession. plead guilty" say.
ing he wanted to learn q trade. The
jury in his case fixed his apprentice
ship in the Penitentiary for three wears.
II is said he is anxious To he shoe.
maker. Perhaps, if he is assiduous, he
can have pretty good idea Of the trade
in that time.
Both OF these offences were commit
ted about one year ago. Milhurn was
killed on the Bird OF February. 1875, but
/, in consequence Of the death Of Judge
Allen. there has been no court since
their arraignment.
Judge Armstrong wears the judicial
robe so natural. that those who are no,
aware Of his recent appointment. would
take il for granted that lie was y
: veteran. Yours. Y.
BALTIMORE & ONO RAILROAD RI
vENUE.--It is stated from the office Of
the company that the month OF Febru
sry shows m increase or tho earnings
[ Of Ito Hottinoro & nttO DaJroaI 81