The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-14
WHO DID IT?
How did FindIey McGrew como W
His Deaf h?-WbO Is the man
that Ran mp Hall streetT

that Ran mp Hall streetT
The drowning of Findley c. McGrew,
of Bridgeport, on the 18th of December
is still enshrouded in mystery. a con-
siderable amount of testimony was taken
by the coroner's jury which was IN ses-
sion all the morning and again last
night, but it did not point definitely 10
any conclusion.
THE EVIDENCE.
The case was tried before Squire David
E. Howell, as coroner, and the following
iury: NJ. A. Sharp, K. T. Howell, X. j.
Alexander, G. r. Grier and NJ. McCon-
nsughy and VIM. Alexander.
G.. &. Cocheran stated, on being
sworn, that he began SEEMING for the
BODY at 10 o'clock A. N. on Decem Der
II, and that alter repeated failures he
tried a graphing hook and found the
body of Flndley q. McGrew directly I'm,
der the railroad iron bridge, and
lowed it to the west bank OF
the Ohio river. Life was quite extinct
Frank Mllligan on being sworn, stated
that on the evening OF December llth
he saw Findley McGrew about 1917
o'clock. he saw him come out OF his
house and go halt way across the NIX
wood bridge. Milligan then went into
his chop, and in about ten minutes alter
wards MIR. McGrew's Oldest girl came IN,
and told Milligan that her mother wanted
him to come 10 her house right away
On his way be passed John ID. Watkins
going away from the creek. Mrs. AcGrew
told him that she thought Findley
was in the river. She had heard quar-
reilinp in the direction OF the railroad
bridge and went out on the porch TO
listen. She heard splash IN the creek
and some one call "Obl ohF and she
thought 1t was her bus bands voice. She
then sent for him (Milligan). Milligan
took lantern and went to the railroad
bridge, where, after thorough search,
he found nothing wrong. Alter return
ing to his shop he went to the toll house
and asked if McGrew had been seen, 81 d
WAS told that he mad not been.
He had heard threats against
McCrew but did not wish
to say who made them. He heard one
man say that abe would die satisfied If
he could kill Finley McGrew and his
wife, and would not die satisfied If ne
did not 1t was blood ne was alter and
blood he was going to have" The wit
ness finally stated that 1t WAS John II.
Watkins who made the remark.
Amanda Powell, a colored girl living
with Joseph II. West, hssrd some quar-
reling in the direction OF the railroad
bridge about twen>y minutes after seven
o'clock, and ain little while man ran
down the railroad track very fast until
he was down by our house, and then
he walked fast past 1t and turned to the
right from the railroad up the street N.
Hall street. in front of the house. The
voices sounded like those of females. The
man was about the size OF James Clay
land and al first | supposed it was him.
| heard q fine voice and coarse one.
The last saw of the man was just by
the stable on DR.. Pratts lot"
Rachael kugler stated: "On the even
ing of December llth, about 7:2O
o'clock, l heard some loud talking
on the railroad bridge and it appeared
as if somebody was quarrelhng. The
voices sounded like those of women. 1t
lasted but few minutes. | thought
there were only two persons together. |
could distinguish two distinct voices, and
one | thought was a woman'S and the
other mans. AS soon rs the noise stop
ped, lett the window where L had been
S snding, ard heard no more"
DIR. John Cook stated: IL WAS in my
office ut 1870 o'clock on the evening Of
December IL. a call being made for me
at that time, l lett the Office and walked
over the Kirkwood bridge, and at the
north end | met Findley McGrew
walking rapidly, and as he usually walk
ed when little intoxicated. L passed
Rehms meat store and near Heinleln 5
shoe store / met John IL. Watkins going
in the same way McGrew had gone, and
walking fast. A little further on | met
Frank Mllligan. remember well meet
ing the first two | have mentioned rs 1t
called TO mind the law suit between
them. 1 did not think McGrew was
much intoxicated as he did not stagger 1T
al"
George King, (colored) said.
about 7'20 o'clock on the even
lug of December IL. l heard
man cry 'OhI very loudly and clearly
and then another cry OF 'OhF much
fainter and lower, and immediately alter
came u splash in the water. | believe
these cries came from the man before he
fell from the bridge | then heard n
woman at Mr.. McGrew's kitchen door
(which opens on the creek cry out, "A
man has fallen into the water | heard
the faint cry Just as | struck the south
end OF the Kirkwood bridge. Running
across the roadway of the bridge, | saw
the man struggling i'll the water close
into the shore and very near the south
bsnk, and | thought he got out, as | did
not see him but n short time. called
the notice OF a man met, TO 1t, but he
paid no attention to what | said. |
think the man made no cutlery after he
struck the water"
Jacob Carnes testified: ~ have heard
Watkins make threats against McGrew
and say, by Jesus Christ will take his
life. | will kill him. l will put him out
OF this world McGrew WAS
u harmless msn and never
qusrrelsome.' II. NJ. B. Clayland, an
intimate friend of Watkins, testified that
he never heard Watkins make any
threats against McGrew.
} II. Watkins, VINO is owner of
Touring mill in Wheeling, near the
stone bridge, stated, II went to Bridge
port, on December 18th, striving there
at $50 P. NJ. stopped At Ashbaughs
grocery store. and then went home for
supper. Alter supper went
to Ashbsughs grocery about I
or $50 o'clock, and remained
there over half an hour. | went to
Rehm's meat store next, and stayed
about five minutes, and then went back
to Main street to Eberle's grocery.
did not see McGrew that night nor did
| 90 on the south side of Wheeling creek;
neither have | been across the bridge for
mere than week. | met DR.. Cook Just
before l went into Rehm's. | hsve no
knowledge as TO how McGrew came to
his death. never made any