The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-09-07
JUDGE LYNCH In VIRGINIA.
Doctor Suspected of Having Poisones
aFarmer Is Hung by n Mob.
IErnm the Washin1tnn Star

DOctOf suspected OF fAaVtn q hSOfS0hel
Farmer Is Hung by Mob.
From the Washington Star.l
1t was stated in the Star of yesterday
that one DR.. Crawford, q notorious
character, in jail at Berkeley Springs,
West Virginia, had been taken from
jail by masked men, early Thursday
morning, and hanged He was at the
time under arrest ON suspicion of hav-
ing poisoned farmer of Morgan Coun-
ty, named johnson, in whose family he
had become very intimate. The Cum
berland (Md.) Neacs gives the follow
ing in regard to the man and his his
tory:
A little over four years ago Craw-
ford came to Hancock, in this State,
accompanied by handsome young
roman, and having in his possession
lot of trained mice, canary birds, etc.
Crawford was between thirty and thir-
ty-five years of age, tall and well built;
a brunette with very dark hair and
moustache, rather fine looking, though
of q devilish cast of countenance with
al. Crawford's affairs at Hancock went
smoothly ON for some months, until
one morning Sheriff's officer, with a
letter from some point in Ohio, asking
after girl whose "descriptive list"
was filled by Crawford's female COM
panion, came nosing 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.
About two years and a half ago q
number of horses were stolen in Nor
gan and Berkeley Counties, and Craw-
ford was arrested on suspicion of being
concerned in the thefts. He was, how
ever, not convicted, and when he be-
came clear he announced himself rs a
physician, and commenced practice in
different parts of Morgan County, rare
ly, if ever, approaching the Springs.
He maintained his character of ,physi-
clan well. With the gentler sex he was
always popular, and he became involV-
ed in more liasons than will probably
ever be known, the last, if rumor be
true, leading to his hideOus death. In
view of this state of affairs, it is not
surprising that the first lady to whom
he proposed marriage said "yes," and
they were married about two years ago.
They did not live happily, however, as
he abused her villainously, and she fin
ally left him. In the meantime, Craw-
ford had an alteration with his wife s
brother, ending in Crawford shooting
at his brother-in-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.
By this time DIR. Crawford's reputa-
ton with many people had suffered
greatly, bat few chung to him in spite
of all adverse circumstances and the
busy tongue of public rumor. Among
these was the family of Mr.. johnson,
a well-to-do Morgan County farmer,
living a few miles from Berkeley
Springs. Mr.. johnson had a 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 fell sick
some weeks ago, and placed himself in
the Doctors hands for treatment. On
or about the 9th inst. Mr.. johnson died,
and Dr. Crawford declared that the
! body should be inferred at once. Mrs.
johnson objected, as she had written to
her son, 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 yield
| ed to Mrs. Johnson's entrsaties that il
be postponed for one hour. At the end
of that time, the son not appearing, the
body was inferred. Mrs. johnson, how
ever, was not quite satisfied with the
proceeding, and the next day consulted
with some physicians, among them DR..
Green, of Berkeley Springs, and con-
| cluded to exhume and examine the
body. This was done, and the pres
ence of poison in the stomach discOv-
cred.
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 oft
tried Crawford did not desert him,
however, and he at once took steps
looking to vigorous defense, employ
ing skillful counsel, among them Mr..
G.. j. Faulkner, Jr., of Martinsburg,
who visited him last on Wednesday
In order to confirm his first conclusions,
DR.. Green, on Tuesday, the 18th inst,
took to Philadelphia the stomach of the
deceased Mr.. johnson, and had its
contents analysed and its condition ex-
amined by chemical experts, who I'M
hesitatingly affirmed that the death OF
Mr.. Johnson had been caused by the
taking into the stomach of tartar emetic.
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 y o'clock on Wednesday night
the streets of Berkeley Springs were as
quiet as usual, and nothing was observ-
able, even by those who were bitterest
against the imprisoned Doctor, and
would not have interfered in an attempt
to lynch him, that portended the dread
full tragedy so soon to be enacted.
About / O'Clock Thursday morning
several masked men went quietly along
the deserted main street and eXtinguish-
ed 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 one-a large,
powerful man who acted as leader-ap-
preached the Jail, and two or three en-
tered and demanded the keys of the jail.
The jailer was absent, replied one of q
guard of six young men who had been
placed there only that night, and there
were no keys there. No time was vast
ed in parley, and few of the party
proceeded to neighboring blacksmith
shop, procuredl underground sledge,
with which the leader speedily battered
down the door of the room in which