The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-27

| from O'CLOCK until IL. ~ ueIacnihehL OF
six were present in the jail yard. The noise
made when the rope broke WAS heard several
squares distant. The thud Of the second eff
| fort to execute him, was distinctly heard by
the Guards patrolling on the pavement.
| Shifflett was in his 4lst year.
HISTORY OF THE TRAGEDY
| The history of this case, as developed by
the testimony OF Sam. Hall, Burriss Will
Jams and others, may be briefly summed up
as follows Several years ago David G. Law
son became enamored with woman named
Rebecca Hall. This Illicit love resulted in
| the birth of child After the child was
born, Lawson moved the mother and child
| into house owned by him, located within
twenty steps OF his own residence. Ms.
Lawson protested, but to no avail. Lawson
| desired that his Legitimate child should be
received into the domestic circle. He did
| not succeed in this, but he compelled his
| youngest boy 70 act as nurse for the baby.
Mrs. Lawson then transferred her affections
to Sam. Hall, brother Of Rebecca Hall. The
| Intimacy between Mrs. Lawson and Sam.
Hall continued for some r;me, before Law
sons suspicious were aroused. The plot to
kill Lawson was made between Anderson
Shifflett, Sllas Morris, Buriis Williams and
Mrs. Louisa Lawson, several months before
| the deed was committed. Mrs. Lawson fl. st
hired her brother, Silas Morris, to u or
have Lawson killed. He consulted fortune
teller named Lydia Knighton. She told
him that she could do the job, but she would
have to have twenty dollars and six months
time, as God reigned supreme over the devil
for that length Of time. Morris told Shif1lett
Of Lydia's decision, and he replied that he
would kill him for the same sum of money
| in much less time. Morris reported progress
to Mrs. Lawson and it was agreed between
them to employ Shifflett. Mrs. Lawson was
to give Sllas Morris house and four acres
of ground to put her husband out of the
| way. Shiflett, after the contract had been
made, at one time attempted to roll log on
Lawson, at another time he snapped cap
| at him, the gun failing to discharge, and on
March 18th, 1875, he in company with Silas
Morris, secreted himself along the road
in some brush, and awaited Lawson's return
from mill. Lawson, seated on his saddle
horse, all unconscious of danger, passed the
concealed assassins about four o'clock in the
evening. After he had passed few steps,
men in the neighborhood heard the cry of
whoa! and the report Of a gun. They hur-
ried to the spot to find Lawson's dead body.
The ball, which was such as are used in
Springfield muskets, entered Lawson's back
on left side, passed upward through the
body and out Of the right breast, lodging be-
tween the coat and vest. One of the men
who found the body fastened to inform Mrs.
Lawson, lit occurred about one mile from
Lawson's house, and the neighbors. In
very few moments number, possibly TWEEN
ty persons, had assembled, among the mum
Der Mrs. Lawson. She was perfectly indif-
ferent. After asking if they were sure he
was dead, she started home, saying that she
could do no good there. She maintained the
same composure at the coroner's inquest
and funeral, the next day. The actions of
the newmade widow aroused the suspicious
of the officers, and she and the parties sub
sequently nd'cted, were arrested and had,
believe, two examining trials. At all
events she was not under arrest long, as
sometime last fail she had will written de-
yising all Of her property to Sam. Hall, ex-
cept very small gift to each Of her chill
dren. This will caused Sam. Hall to be sus-
v,in 1,eN tHrao yxyifh or.
rest. He agreed to play the part of detec-
tive and sworm" the secret from Mrs. Law
son, if she knew anything. He demanded
of her that she putt the will on record. She
declined doing so until after he would le-
gally marry her. He old her that by her
Keeping it off of record, suspicion had been
directed ag ainst him concerning the murder
Of her husband. She then became frightened
for her lovers safety, and told him to go
and tell her brother, Silas Morris, that the
officers were raising fuss about the killing
of Dave, and that he had better leave for
awhile. Hall conveyed the message and
Morris told him that he would not leave,
that the officers could do nothing with him,
that Anderson Shifilett killed Dave Lawson,
and all he had to do with it, was to pay him
the $40 Louise gave him to pay for the job.
Hall returned and told Mrs. Lawson what
Morris said, and she then told him all of the
matter before stated, saying that Anderson
Shifflett had agreed to divide the profits OF
the job with Burrts Williams, and that Will
Jams had accepted the proposition.
Upon this e1 .dence the arrests were made,
and the grand jury Of the March term of
County Court found true bills against AN
derson Shifflett as principal, Silas Morris,
Burris Williams and Louisa Lawson, as ac-
cessories before the fact to the murder of
on bail and made a witness of for the State;
he is yet at large. Shifflett had his first trial
at the April term and was found guilty his
counsel appealed and obtained new trial !;
he was tried the second time, found guilty,
and sentenced to be hung Sept. 25, Morris
had his first trial at the May term; the jury
failed to agree-standing eleven for convic-
ton and one for acquittal; be had his second
trial at the July term, was found guilty and
sentenced to be hung Sept. %. Mrs. Law
son had her trial at the August term. was
found guilty, and sentenced to be hung Oc-
tober 3Oth. In the first trial Col. Jacob N.
Liggett assisted Capt. Paul for the Common
wealth; the prisoners were defended by
Gen. Roller and Messrs. Berlin and Raglan.
An effort was made to have the punishment
of Shitfiett and Morris committed to impris
onment for life, but failed.
Shiffiett was a man about 40 years of age,
weighed about 100 pounds, was uueducated,
and had a bad countenance, just such q one
as twenty-dollar assassin would likely car
| ry around. lie leaves wife and four chill
dren.
Morris, who has been respited until Oct.
23rd, is better looking man and man Of
more intelligence. He weighs about 1875
pounds, and is about IS years OF age. He
| has wife and four children.
David G. Lawson, the victim, was an hon