Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-09-18
LOCAL IN1ELLIeEMcE.

FATAL DIFFICULTY. difficulty occurred
at Orkney Springs, Shenandoah county, Va,
on Friday week, which, we are panied to
record, has since had fatal termination. It
was between Capt. John Avis, of this place,
and man named James johnson, resident
there. Capt Avis, who has boon employed
at the Springs for several years past, it seems,
had had some difficulty with tho deceased
some time ago, aud no has siucc on 4 number
of occasions, when intoxicated, threatened
tho Captains life. Being drunk on Friday,
Johnson attacked Capt. Avis, and struck Elm
a severe blow on tho back of the head. In
che rsnconlro that ensued tho Capt. struck
johnson with rock.
The parties were then separated, and the
man johnson afterwards went about exposed to
the damp weather, and not permitting proper
care by physician, subsequently died. The
above is substantially the information brought
here by several of our young townsmen who
returned from the Springs next day after the
ARRAY occurred, aud who state that the case
can be made nothing but clear matter of
self-defence on the part of Cept. Avis.
The survivor of this unfortunate conflict,
Capt. John Avis, is we'll known firm, de-
termiued man, and yet one who has never
sought difficulty at any time. Those who
know him BEST therefore, have no doubt of
his full and entire scquittal of any intentional
crime in this sad occurrence.
The Harrisonburg Old Commonwealth soys
of the affair;
On Sunday magistrate summoned jury
ind held an inquest The testimony was
conflicting, and the magistrate held Capt
Avis in the sum of $500. Mr.. johnson was
sixty. The affair was very unfortunate for
both yet, from what we can learn, Capt
Avis was acting in self>defeuse.
The Staunton Indicator gives the follow
ing version of the difficulty
Moore, proprietor of the Springs arc. that five
months ago Capt. Avis, who kept tho storo for
Sir. Moore refusod BY his direction, to sell Ii
Qnor to Johnson VINO was mau given to intoxi-
cation. Johnson thon attacked AVIS but got
Hyorsted and has naadc various thrca ts soce. On
Friday he started to the store saving, that he
would kill Avis before he slept that night, and
fcw moments afterwards rs Avis oame ont TO
attend to a customer. waiting outside, lie at
faoked him. In the fight Avis threw him aud
.seixing a rock struck him several times OIL tho
iioed Johnson who lInd been on o spree for sew
oral weeks refused 20 have his wounds attended
10, and kept up his drinking. dying in thirty-siI
hours after, of inflammation Of the brain. Capt.
Avis was baicd TO appear at loyal lnTestlSa-
lion of TIC matter
SUDDEN DEATH-Mr. Frank II Craighill,
son of ". N. Craighill, Esq, Of this place,
died very suddenly at his residence near
I;oomcry Mills, on Tuesday evening last
He xad Mr.. J ohn ". Lock had been farming
together for some months past, aud both re-
turned from the field where they had been
engaged in apparently good health. Mr..
Craighill went to attend to the horses at the
stable, and Mr.. Lock, after performing some
other duties, repaired TO the house. Mr..
Craighill did not mako his appearance, and
suspicion was aroused that some accident had
beiaien him. After a considerable search he
&as found lying on tho ground, near the
stable, with life extinct.
The deceased was brother of Col. W. p.
Craighill, U. S. Engineers, also OF the Rev.
Jas. 3. Craishill, Episcopal pastor at Suf.
folk, Va, and DIR. L. A, and Mcssrs.
Robert aad Geo P. Craighill, of Lyuchburg,
Va Although modest and retiring in dis
position, he was an cstimablc young man in
every particular, a consistent communicate
of the P. L. Church, aud enjoyed tho highest
esteem of all who knew him. His bcrca7ed
rclatives havo tho sympathy of the entire
community in their sudden nfiiction.
DEMonEsT's MAGAZISE.-Each issue Of
Democrats seems, if possible, more charming
and attractive than previous numbers. For
October We have magnificent steel engrav-
ing of Shakespeare with his family, ct Strait
ford )" beautiful illustration of the "Chil>
dren in the Wood" aud the usual fashion
plates, news from the world of fashion, literary
matter, etc, which Dcneorest's so we'll pro-
duces.
ATTENTION LADIES !-!Sc'0ing Nachinc
auction, at Tie Winchester fuir.-I will sell
25 Bran New Improved Light-Ruuning
Howe Machines, of all styles, with Lillis
ralohratnd TreaIia attached ot puh1ic Sale