The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-29
THE MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY.


THE MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE Fatal
AFFAIR-A JURY OF INQUEST DECLARE
THE ACT TO HAVE BEEN FELoNIOUs.
Last Thursday morning jury of inquest.
consisting OF Martin S. Whitmore, Jacob c
Baxter. Jno. ". Beaver Jno. P. Hogshead,
A. j. Hogshead and A. A. Crawford, was
summoned by Justice D. N. Van Lear, act.
ing Coroner, to inquire by what means
James Todd came to his death. Only three
witnesses testifed-Dr. J. NJ. Trcvy, Mrs.
Todd, wife of the deceased and Peter H.
See,
DR.. Trevy testified as to the character oil
the wound, and the testimony of Mrs. Todd
was in substance, that Grardle's party,
whose names were given last week, came
up to the house and inquired for James
Todd. His wife answered that he was I'M
well. They then asked for Sam. Todd, who
was also in the house and unwell.
Old man Todd hearing the conversation,
came to the door, and recognizing the par.
ties as the same that had made threats
against him for poisoning dogs, said in a
hooking manner, 81 suppose you come to
hang me-" Ruff, one of the party address.
ed, denied ever having made threats and
Sam. Todd, who in the meantime had also
come out Of the house, said that he could
prove Ruff to be liar. Very harsh Ian.
guage then passed between the two. AT
length Ruff, at the instance of his son, rode
off, and about this time James Todd, who
had gone out into the road, got into scuf-
file with VIM. FL. Wooddell and Reuben
Grandle. the former of whom wrenched his
gun from him, and Grandle pulled pistol
from his belt and placing it within about
two feet of Todd, fired, at the same time ex
claiming, II will blow your damned heart
out" He then fired second time, the bal
striking the ground.
Mrs. Todd ran out and cried s'Lord have
mercy. What have you done?" and Gran
die said, 'sMy pistol went off accidentally
ands him = -Mrs- Todd replied, No
sir, you said you intended to blow him
through and you have donei it, Grandle
made no answer, bnt got on his horse and
started down the road, saying he was going
for the doctor. Mrs. Todd then went up tC
her husband. who had been propped against
log, and who in answer to questions said
that she had been murdered on his own
premises, and that now that he was shot,
their spite work was ended" He was re.
moved to the house and died within an hour.
Peter See, gentleman who happened to
be at the Todds at the time, corroborated
Mrs. Todd's testimony.
The verdict of the jury was :'Thas James
Todd came to his death. on the Goth, by a
pistol shot by the hand of Reuben Grandle,
and we verify believe it was.a 'felonious act
on the part of said Grandle.'"
Grande is still at large, and there is little
hope OF his apprehension, as his familiarity
with the mountain region will enable him
to elude the utmost vigilance of the officers.
There can be but one sentiment in regard
to an affair so cold-blooded and atrocious,
and tina. is universal condemnation and the
hope that the guilty party may be brought
to justice.
BALDWIN AUGUSTA FAIR.-A meeting
of the stockholders of the Baldwin Augusta
Fair was held at the Court house last Mon
day, for the purpose of considering the liza
bilities and assets of the concern, and taking
such action as might be deemed necessary.
The secretary reported liabilities at Sc, 90
and resources at 81, $50. The resources con-
sist of stockholders bonds to The amount Of
81, 100000, of which sum 100000 must be
deducted for insolvents, personal property,
silver-ware, &C., OH hand. 70 the resources
must also be added the interest due on stock
holders bonds. This report OF the liabili-
tiesyand assets of the company does not en-
brace grounds and improvements. The di-
rectors state that no addition to the debt
has been made by them aad that they have
used all economy. consistent with the sue
cessful management of the company. The
flood Of 1876 and the storm OF 1877 cost the
company about $900:e -
After various suggestions, a resolution
offered by Captain VIM. i. Bumgardner
was adopted, providing for the appointment
Of committee of three, with ms tructions to
make application to the County Court or
Board of Supervisors, and to the City Coun-
Gil, under the 9Th section of the charter to
the Augusta County Fair, asking that pro-
vision may be made by levy of five cents
on each inhabitant of the town and county,
to be paid to the Treasurer of the Baldwin
Augusta Fair and to be expended in suita-
BILE prizes to be offered to exhibitors. Messrs.
A. A. Sproul, A. W. Hartman, and G. NJ.
Cochran, ir., compose the committee.
On motion of Gel. A. w. Hartman, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted:
Resolded, That the Board of Directors be
appointed to report to an adjourned meeting
of the stockholders any matters for their &C.
ton, and especially their views as to the
propriety Of change of the character0 of the
organization.
The meeting adjourned to meet at Deem
Der court.
RECOVERY OF STOLEN GooDs.-Sunday
last Mr.. G. A. Hanger got out a warrant
for the arrest OF jeff. Wall, negro man
living some three miles from town, and in
company with Constable Nicholas Gregory
went out to the place. After securing the
prisoner, he searched the house and found
lot of meat which had been stolen from him,
and various other articles, among which was
pistol and some other things which had
been stolen from r. c. Peace; pair Of
opera glasses, gold chain, &C., the property
of Mr.. T. j. Jackson; some bed clothing,
&C., belonging TO Mr.. II. C. Stuart, ane
three rings, supposed to be valuable, one
breastpin and cuff button, which have. not
been identified.
The man was tried before Justice Lickli-
ter and sent on to grand jury.
The unidentified property is now with Mr..
Grcgoryand can be recovered upon proper
proof.