Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-11-23
Death Of a Remarkable Man.

Death Of Remarkable Man.
JAMES TODD, THE NIMROD OF THE Val
LEY, SHOT AND KILLED-soME AC
! COUNT OF HIM-GEN. LEES OPINION OF
HIM AS SCOUT,
&C., &C., %C.
In a rude but tidy log cabin at the foot
of the Shenandoah mountain, on NORTH
river. just where Pendleton and Au-
gusta counties join, at a spot named by him
self, s'White Oak Lick there lived, until
Monday afternoon, one of the most re-
markable men in the Valley Of Virginia
His name was James Todd, and he was over
seventy years of age. He had a strong
mind and wonderful memory, and though
living in secluded mountain fastne IS,
| which newspapers seldom reached, was
thoroughly posted on national, state and
county politics from the time of Andrew
Jackson down. The mineral resources OF
the mountain were as familiar to him as
the products of farm, and their charac-
ter as well as the topography of the ground
where they lay. He had lived in his cabin
for over half a century and raised large
family of boys and girls. In politics, he
was first .Federalist, then Wing, and
when the question came at last he was a
decided Union man. He was man OF
such unquestioned reliability, however,
that when the war broke out, notwith-
standing his strong Union sentiments,
Mr.. Chesley Kinney, recommended him to
Gen. Robt. E. Lee, in his West Virginia
campaign, as a scout, satisfied that il he
undertook the work he would do it. He
undertook it, and knowing every bridle-
path in the mountains, was invaluable.
Gen. Lee said of him that he was the best
Judge of the numbers of a military force he
had ever seen, for man who had never
seen a company Of military In his life, and
made the most reliable reports. Todd was
with Gen. Lee three months, but on re-
turning home found the Confederate SOL
diers had deprecated on his farm and been
rude to his daughters. This discovery
changed Todd's relations to the Confeder-
ate cause, and he remained at home, es-
tablishing sort of post on line from
Staunton. through which blockade-run-
ners and deserters from the Confederacy
were guided into the enemy's country. He
was regarded as the head of the bush or
ganization, and Capt. Avis, the Provost
Marshal of Staunton, sent out guard to
capture him. Todd took to The mountains,
but one night returned home, and there
was halted by three of the party. He re-
fused to surrender, and fired, wounding
one of the guard-Snead, Of South Caro-
Imam the thigh. His comrades fled. and
it was three days before the wounded man
was sent for from Staunton. He died al
ter being brought here. Todd went TO
Magistrate Kinney and offered to surren-
der if he was guaranteed a civil instead OF
military trial, but as that could not be
done he remained at home. No more
guards were sent after him. He was
hospitable man, and is well-remembered
for his hospitality to hunters, always want
ing them to stop with him.
He was the most remarkable hunter in
the Valley of Virginia, having killed over
twenty-seven hundred deer up to 1850, with
one old muzzle loading rifle, which he had
had bored so often that you could get your
thumb in it. He had killed bears without
number. He was dead shot and could
perform the feat Of putting bullet through
a hat on the opposite side of tree every
time by placing an axe blade for the ball to
glance.
Tuesday afternoon hunting party con-
sisting of Reuben Grandle, a mail carrier,
John Ruff, Jacob Ruff, his son, G. W.
Reeves and VIM. Ell. Wooddell, some OF
whom had been drinking, went to the house
of Samuel Todd, son of the old hunter, and
one of the party accusing him Of poisoning
some dogs on a former hunt, quarrel
arose. Old man Todd who lived a few PAGES
off heard the quarrel and came to the spot
with his rifle, which he is never wit bout, and
ordered young Ruff off. The hunters tried
to take his gun from him and Grandle fired
two pistol shots at him one taking effect
in his lung. He was taken horne and died
in an hour. Grandle fled and has not been
heard from. That night about IL O'Clock
MAGISTRATE D. N. Vanlear of Mt. Scion is
suad warrant for his arrest which was
put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Byers.
Grandle is we'll acquainted wirh the noun
tains and may elude pursuit.