The New York herald., 1877-09-15
A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

HORRIBLE DEED-ARhEST OF THE PIRPE-
TRAITORS AND THEIR CONDEMNATION TO THE
oALLows.
HARRIsoSBuRG, Va. Sept IA, 1871
On the 18th Of March, 1876, startling horrible
murder was committed in the eastern part Of Rock
ingham county, Va. IN q locality in which lawless-
ness, violent dealing and vice in all its forms had
long been with some OF the Inhabitants the rule OF
action. This locality 10 within tho shadows Of the
Blue Ridge Mountains, and Is inhabited, with very
many honorable exceptions, by several families Of
unenlightened, superstitious and utterly depraved
men and women So desperately wicked were some
OF the characters residing here that it considered
dangerous for strangers 10 visit alone this retreat OF
lawless, ignorant, reckless, vicious people. This
Is the region in which q number OF deserlers
from the Confederate service sought refuge during
the early part OF civil war; aud General StonewaIl
Jackson found it necessary 10 send force oil in
fantry with piece two Of artillery TO disodge ana
arrest them. some years ago TIN pedlcr, with IA
hand cart and his entered this dangerous local
y. He had the mprudence after taking two or three
of brandy. 10 show his money, and Us the result
was never heard again. Suspicion attached TO some
desperate character with whom he had last been seen
but no arrest made, Will the manner OF the
"takiug on OF the murdered pealer be disclosed
until the day Of lnal reckoning
This locality hangs right upon the outer verge OF
section in which there is probably much refinement
wealth and intelligence are generally found in the
best portions OF the country Occupying an area oil
about ten square miles II stretches from the base
the eastern base OF the mountain in Greene aud Al
bcrnarle counties. The main highway--a well
graded turnpike--irom Hsrrlsonburs, IN The shonan
doah Valley to Stanardsville Greene county, passes
through lhIs now well known locality
SHOT DEAD Is HIS WAGON.
II was upon another public county wagon road
lew hundred from I'M highway, IN inc open
gnt day about four O'Clock In tho afternoon OF the
neriod already indicated, TINT David q. Lawson,
comparativeiy well-to do and seemingly happy, con-
ton ted and prosperous farmer residing IN this region,
dead wnile passing over the road driving MS
team home from mill in the vicinity He was SHOT
in the oack with musket or ride. Two balls takng
effect aud Killing him instantly. HIS team stopped IN
the when the gun cracked, aud the liteess body
OF the murdered man shortly afierward found
living uGdcr the wagon or the heels OF his horses He
was shot from thicket OF pines which ined ,he road
SIDE. the murderer quickly hiding himself in the
deepening shadows Of woods and underground
which covered his retreat The dead body OF
Lawson carried to his former homo and
a coroners inquest summoned, but tins inquest failed
10 elicit much information leading to the detection Of
the persons engaged IN the killing. Suspicion, how
ever soon began to point to parties who might have
had motive to commit the murder, and among the
suspected were The former wife, Louisa Lawson,
now the widow Of the deceased his brother-in-iw
Mrs I.awson's brother), Silas Morris Burriss Will
iums jbrolhe, -in.iaw sllas Morris and named
ward arrested and underwent examination, hut !, was
found impossible 10 identity them distinctly with the
muruer and they were turned loose.
ARREST OF THE MURDERERs
Tho murder created intense excitement in the
neighborhood, and the friends and relatives
OF the murdered resolved TO spare no efforts
TO bring tue guilty to punishment. Detectives
from abroad were employed and set on
the OF the suspected parties; bu. not much light
seemed 10 dawn upon the trans until about
after the murder, when Samuel Hall. who had been
inmate OF Lawson's family occasionally, struck
This dark and damnng deed. Hall, who is a shrewd,
keen, bold frank, honest, but uneducated mountain
eer very readily ngratlated himself into the affections
OF the Widow Lawson pretended to be courting, and
expressed purpose and wish to marry her. Through
his power over her she made admissions to him which
Implicated her BROTHER Silas Morris, and Anderson
Shtlett with the murder and placed her own lie in
peril. Alter long delays and the miscarriage OF
merous well arranged schemes tor the apprehension
Of Anderson Shifiett and Silas Morris they at
length caught anu committed 10 jail at Earr lsOnburg.
where they await the infIction OF the fearful
penalty the CRIME with which they stand charged.
Shiiet and Norris have both been already twce tried
and both times found guilty oi murder In the lrst
gres, and will be executed on Tuesday, The 2jth OF
September
THE MURDERER.
Shifet Is thirty or thlrtyeight years Of age,
aud was married few weeks ago IN ms cell the
woman with whom he mas been living for years IN
Illicit Intercourse. and by whom be has had num-
Der oil children, who have thus been legtmzed Amos.
within sight OF the scahold. lie Is small wiry
looking man, with q rather meaningless lace, except
that IN It and determnation are distinctly indi
dicated. He never smiles and seems indisp0sed 10
any body IN tho lace. He Is utterly iguorant and
must been heartless creature, as he evigcnty
hired 10 murder and did deliberately assassinale
poor LAWSON who had never done him any harm, ior
the small sum OF 500
THEORY PROSECUTION.
The theory the Attorney for the Com in
this:phat Siiss Morris, In connection with his
sister, Louisa Lawson, determined to get rid OF Law
by murder for the purpose OF obtaining the con-
troi OF what little property he hat and with a view
oil gratifying Mrs Lawson's resentment against
sa nsa resy EXPRESSED her ws to get ria OF her
husband, vita whom she had seriously disagreed.
Unwilling 10 do the deed themselves they hired
Anderson Shiflett, VINO was known to be desperate
to possess the requisite nerve 10 do horri
bic act. These people were all supersttions and
believed IN wcrc ait. Hence they concluded, after
consultation, that they would confer with an old
who told fortunes to sec II 'she could not put
spell Lawson so that he might be easily killed.
The fortune teller informed tncm that he couldn't be
Killed uhdor SIX montns or year. Ihs ola not SUIT
them, as they wished him put out Of the way al
earlier pcrod ana shhet agreed Tor $50 to see That he
killed before tho lapse Of the six months indicated
ny the fortune teller was in testimony that Shin
lett had been seen lying In wait week before In the
thicKet OF pines near where Lawson was killed with
his gun in his hand. Lawson passed along horse
back, and parties with him heard cap snap, but tho
gun Jailed 10 60 on and the murder was not then com.
miued.
THE ACcoMPLlcE
Hlas Morris is about thrty-hve years old has been
twice married and Is the father OF four children two
by a former vie ana two by the unfortunate woman
VINO now clings to hin IN his desperate and gloomy
fortunes. He is not bad looking man, and seems TO
appreciate the serious attitude in which he is placed.
EXECUTION
The execution Of Anderson Shiett ana Silas Norris
will take place between tho hours OF ten A. NJ. and
three T. 81 They will be hung in the jail yard, rear
OF their cells They receiving spiritual advice and
consolation from Revs. Mcssrs. Egg!esion and Barr,
the former OF the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
and the latter OF the Protestant Episcopal Church.
ln The plans and arrangements the detection and
arrest OF these criminals much praise cannot be
bestowed upon the officers and other persons employed
Wy the vgilant attorney for the state, Captain John
Pauie, OF Harrsohburg. Among these
Joseph II. Kelly, Chief OF Police Of Harrsonhurg;
IL. V. Lamb, Constable "a onc-lesged man. who
had had one OF his legs shot on in u
rcncontrc with desperate man, and his
brother, residing near where the murder was
committed; George Hutchinson, of Harrsonburg, and
or Two Others These gentlemen were cool active
v.ilant sagaci0us, anu exhibited uncommon courage
ia the work they were engaged in. The men Morris
and ShiHlett were always upon the lookout in their
mountain homes, and always prepared for The exl-
gency OF their apprehension IL was well known to
their captors that they were desperate and dangcrots
men, amt that any attempt 10 arrest them would be
resisted with orce OF arms. Yet they captured,
handed to the court Of justice, and without some
unexpected Intervention VIII doubtless cxpiae their
crime upon the gallows
CONFESSION THE CRIME,
Shhlett and Norris within the last few days. have
hnnn an cno6d mi rnto