The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-10-19
JUDGE LYNCH In VIRGINIA.
A Doctor Suspected Of Having Poisoned
Farmer is Hung by u Mob.
from the Washington STAR

4 Doctor Suspected OF having Foisone0
Farmer is Hung by Mob.
from the Washington Start
It was stated in the Star of yesterday
hat one DIR. Crawford, a notorious
in jail at Berkeley Springs,
West Virginia, had been taken from
Jail by masked men, early Thursday
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.) NeUs 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 a handsome young
woman, and having in his possession a
lot of trained mice, canary birds, etc.
Crawford was between thirty and thir-
ty-fve years of age, tall and well built,
a brunette with very dark hair and
moustache, rather fine looking, though
of devilish cast of countenance with
al. Crawford's affairs at Hancock went
smoothly on for some months, until
one morning Sheriff's officer, with
letter from some point in Ohio, asking
after girl whose ssdescriptive list"
was filed 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 half ago a
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 as q
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 Eyes," 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 DR.. Crawford's reputa-
ton with many people had suffered
greatly, but 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 few miles from Berkeley
Springs. Mr.. johnson had a daughter
with whom DIR. Crawford became very
intimate and was with her great deal
spending at times days and weeks at hel
fathers house. Mr.. johnson fell sick
some weeks ago, and placed himself il
the Doctors hands for treatment. Or
or about the 9th inst. Mr.. johnson died
and DIR. Crawford declared that thu
body should be inferred at once. Mrs
johnson objected, as she had written t.
her son, who was away from home, ant
wished him to be present at the funeral
!. The Doctor insisted that the funera
must proceed at once, but finally yield
ed to Mrs. Johnson's entreaties that !
be postponed for one hour. At the en'
Of that time, the son not appearing, tn
body was inferred. Mrs. johnson, how
ever, was not quite satisfied with tn
proceeding, and the next day consulte'
with some physicians, among them Dr.
Green, of Berkeley Springs, and con
cluded to exhume and examine tn
body. This was done, and the pres
ence of poison in the stomach disco1
. cred.
A warrant, charging the Doctor wit
!. murder, was procured, and he was al
rested and confined in the County Jai
at Berkeley. The GOODNESS of the of
tried Crawford did not desert hin
however, and he at once took STEP
g looking to vigorous defense, employ
b ing skillful counsel, among them Nj
n C. j. Faulkner, Jr., of Martinsbur,
u who visited him last on Wednesda,
II In order to confirm his first conclusion
u DR.. Green, on Tuesday, the 14th inst
ct took to Philadelphia the stomach OF Il
n deceased Mr.. johnson, and had
t, contents analysed and its condition @
N amined by chemical experts, who u
t. hesitatingly affirmed that the death
le Mr.. johnson had been caused by t
e- taking into the stomach of tartar emeti
This decision of the experts becar
generally known in Morgan Coun
during the latter part of last week, al
caused the greatest Indignation agar
the Doctor, and threats of lynching hi