The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-07
VIRGINIA FEUDs.
4 REMARKABLE MURDER TRIAL TO coME-AN
Ex-soLDIER UNDER INDICTMENT FOR SHOOT
ING PRIsoNER-sAD SOCIETY DoINos.

One OF the old tragedies OF West Virginia has
been revived under peculiarly interesting circum-
stances II 10 unquestionabiy . very extraordinary
case There are plot and mystery, sentiment jcaI-
ousy patriotism, political hatred and blood enough
II for the most vivid OF French fiction The mystery
has crystalized into two versions. but neither,
cepted As true, is wholly satisfactory Asserting and
UNFOLDING tho one are numerous class Of people in
the section all sympathizers openly or covertly with
the rebellion who adhere 10 belief that OF their
number. james r. Ice, was murdered by federal
soldier, Isaac Thompson, under the ruise OF military
authority. The other side Is maintained by the
tenders OF the Union residing throughout the
upper end OF the State and especially those living 10
the locality In which tho killing of Ice took place
ICE ARRESTED.
Ice was noted during the q comprehend in
active though secret sympathy with the Confederate
forces For this reason Major ShowaItcr. officer in
command Of detachment OF the Sixth West Virginia
volunteers stationed at Grafton, ordered him ar
rested. This order issued through Lieutenant Free.
man. and executed by two privatcs, Thompson and
Watson. The OF Ice took place his Geld, on
the 18th OF June, 1864 There bloodshed or
resistance rho Lieutenant prisoner and two soldiers
wero ncighbors all living within OF three or
four miles, In the vicinity OF Pennington, Marion
county. The prisoner was conducted to the
house of Lieutenant Freeman, where the four dned
together, and talked over the charges against Mr.
Ice. After this conversation tho Lieutenant per.
mitted the prisoner to go frce but, for unac-
countablo reason, almost i'm mediately afterward
dered his rearrcst Thompson was detailed to
perform this service. and In dong so he killed his
stand Watson, tho other soldier testified be lore the
Grand Jury that he overlook Thompson IN time to
soc him fire the shot which killed Ice Thompson
admits tho shooting, and pleads just 1cation under
the head OF obedience TO military orders. What IN
duced tho Lieutenant to SO suddenly change his mind
Will probably never be known, as hes now dead, and
he alono could have explained.
STRANGE COMPLICATIONS.
Lieutenant Frecman's death furnishes seQual that
places the case In o somewhat peculiar light Among
tho handwriting Of well known stock raiser IN Marion
county, named Henderson Storms, advising Freeman
to have leo killed. alleging that no dangerous
to the Union canse and should be enectualy put
out oil the way. Afcr Freemans death. which
rcd about three since IN the West Mrs. Freeman
returned to her old homo in Marion Sne subsequently
became involved In trouble with Storms, and resolved
to the letter against him. II was accordingly placed
before the Grand JURY recently session this place.
Evidence produced to the handwriting of
Stearns but the jury refused TO find bill against him.
Among other witnesses before the Grand Jury
first degree was Flora Pettit who is said TO be cgt
innate daughter OF leo, and whose mother had been
tho OF serious trouble between Ice and SleTma
IL Is alleged that this quarrel induced Storms
tho anonymous letter before mentioned Flora Petit
endcavored to procure the indictment for the
OF pedlcr this place last Jlly OF three
named Calvin Hurst, Moses Lamb ana Ell Hurst who
mysterious
with the Ice affair and whose prosecution would
further light upon II. But the jury, perpexed with
uncertainty and mystery, refused TO return tho three
men for trial, and tho pcdlcr murder remains an in
dependent problem. which, It Is thought, Will never
be solved This is tho second arrest that Thompson
has undergone for the shooting OF MIR. Ice The first
occurred soon after The close OF the After
full hearing OF tho testimony the conservator Of the
Justice Moore. discharged tho prisoner, saying he
could not be prosecuted for performing military duty
under the authority OF the President At this
lar in III tn ovon al tba
soldier, but II Is now claimed by the enemies OF
Thompson that Showalter viii deny It when placed on
the stand
OLD ASrIPArmEs AROUSED.
II difficult to imagine the intensity OF feeling that
tho work OF the Grand Jury has caused among the
tisans OF both Sides Those sympatnizing with the
beilion ana sustaining young leo in his attempt 10
tha. fhomp shall pay for his deed while hundreds
and thousands OF former Union soldiers living within
radius Of nifty or sevcnty-ive miles are aroused IN
behalf OF their old comradc and Will any
that he Is not touched by tho state Court. The ex
soldiers pushing tho tight renewed from the other
quarter, and have arranged for two days encamp.
ment at Fairmont, commencing with the Goth inst
Thor exact purpose is not made known but is an
prisoners trial viii not take place tor some time yet
ana he has been released bail by Judge Lewis,
eight or ten OF the leading republican citizens OF the
county signing the bond The encampment Will be
principally to show all who may DO interested that
they ready for business II the question is brought
to an issue by the other side. This movement has
created uncomfortably serious feeling oil apprehen-
SION, aud many are deprecating IL as revolutionary
division including the scene Of the present troubles
the action OF the Marion Grand Jury the
bitercst possible terms He stated TO HERALD repre-
sentative in Washington yesterday that ho intended to
make personal duty 10 come here and see, either by
law or force as might be most desirable that no soldier
OF his command should be subjected TO sentence by
petty State court OF Southern sympahes. Ho said he
was aware that this was serious talk but that he
aware just how serious and was prepared TO abide
the consequences, as he regarded IL matter in which
the country would sustain him and his old "Boys in
blue"
CHARGES Jury PACKING.
Thore are various charges afoat-amid the large
amount OF excited gossip over tho leo uphcaval that
the Grand Jury was packed by Sheriff Manly for the
special purpose OF getting At least OF tho two
soldiers presented This Is probably untrue
Lotions are tender subjec. with him,
in view Of certain complications similar to tho in
jury stood eleven to i've republicans It's
foreman, U. N Arnett is faiher OF the prosecuting
attorney, who IN conjunction with young Ice IS work
lag up The case against Thompson. THIS disparity IN
political complexion on the jury In county which
elected democratic cx.rebci sheriff by majority
last fall has excited good deal oil sharp comment
UNDESIRABLE RECoLLECTI0Xs-
Ex-Governor Pierponi, who had seven years. cxpcr-
ence tho head OF tho restored government OF vir-
gina and is of CONSERVATIVE republican Vows
In conversation with reporter to-day, deprecated
harsh language the revival Of old political leuds.
He says tho war history OF West Virginia Is
q fabric OF these unhappy events, that the
newai OF one will undoubtedly lead to the opening
OF others, and these In turn would ultimately bring
about general upurnng that would operate very In
jurousy to the interests OF society tho State He
thinks u Is quite remarkable, from political stand
point that utter the apsc Of fourteen years and al
most Immediately after the succession OF democrats
power In tho country Union soldier should be dragged
TO Jail and finally forced 10 give heavy bond for his
personal freedom pending his trial, all upon old
military act OF which he had been once Judciay and
honorably acquitted.
the brutal manner In which Thompson's arrest was
made illustration OF the temper IN which things
are being dode constable named Gould executed
the warrant Ice, Jr., accompanied the officer, and
took upon himself TO draw pistol to the prosecuted
exsodier's head, curse him anu order HIM 10 throw
hAx In tnp ar1g I'm ginnn
toward the Office Of the magistrate ut which the
preliminary examination occurred. Ho asked to be
allowed to pass his house on the way, see his family
ana change bis clothes. This was angriy refused by
the hot-headed young Ice, and the prisoner was
obliged TO move
Mr. Picrpont and James Morrow, Jr, the latter
democratic lawyer OF local prom,nencc, have been
retained 10 defend the prisoner when his case comes
UP Tor trial. The case Will undoubtedly attract great
deal OF attention in this part OF the State least aud
II is limited by persons familiar with tho history
OF the locality that when u is fully developed before