Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-01-19
Martinsburg Matter S.
From the Statesman:


We regret to learn that Casper Viewer, Esq,
Of this county. has been quite seriously iudis
posed for fortnight past.
Jno. T. Janney, Esq, has purchased Of Mr..
John Fitz, the eligible wareroom building Mt
the north-end Of Qucen street, near the b. x
O. railroad for which he paid $4,000
The people Of Hedgesviilo and vicinity are
much excited over the mysterious disappear
ance Of Mr. icholas Gotten bel ger, an old gem
tleman 81 years Of age, snd circumstances
point to Frank Gilbert a negro, as the pro6a
BILE murderer Mr. C)fenberger is a native Of
Berkeley county-but migrated to Indiana 80
years ago lie was on his way back 10 visit
his old irieuls, having made the trip here in
company with a young man named Stuckey.
They LANDED at North Mountain Station on
the evening of Dec. 20, and together they
walked to IIedgesville. Reaching this village
they separated, Mr. C. going across the hill TO-
the residence of Daniel FAughander, formerly
occupied by Mr. Smith, an old friend Of Mr..
| C's. When the OLD gentleman arrived at Mr..
/ F's house be found that the acquaintance he
was in search Of did not live there and de-
| clined an invitation from Mr.. Highlander t.
| stop with him for the night-saying he woula
| 20 on to Mr Lewis Granthnms. It seems,
| however, that he next stopped at the house of
/ Miss Nancy French and there requested 20
] stay all night. As the inmates OF her house
were all females she was unwilling to let him
remain as he was an entire stranger. He left,
| but shortly returned to Miss Freu'h's AMI re-
peatcd his request, bat she still declined 10
| keep him over night lac then started away
] a. h.ipty IN n'aapk az MINT Tho
morning following satChel was found lying
0 the road about oue-iourth Of mile west Of
/ Iledgesvie, supposed to have belonged to the
missing man. Beyond this clue no trade of
! Mr. has yet been discovered although
most thorough search was made 10y the citizens
| in every direction Ga Thursday FOL-,
| low Nc his disappearance negro made the
atcmeut that an old man answering to Mr..
/ Is description had brcakfsiel at the cabin Of
negro by the name Of Frank Gilbert. When
/ Gilbert was questioned IN reference TO the
matter he maize an emphatic denial of such a
person having been at his house, but a negro
| woman named Clark, who is a sister-in-law Of
| Gilherts, went TO his cabin on Sunday, Janu-
! airy 9th, and saw Gilbert in company with an
! old man a short distance fran the house. This
! fact being stated BY the woman AID the fact
/ being further known that Gilbert seemed to
/ have plenty of money, spending It laviShly
about llcdscsville. be MAS arrested on Satur-
day last upon suspicion, and had a preliminary
/ examination before Justices Miller aud Candy
/ Upon the evidence aiduced, the Justices held
him to await further developments. Since
his arrest his wife has admitted that Mr.. c.
ate his breakfast at their house and counted
his money in their presence; that her husband
went of with CoTenbergcr and the last she
saw Of either was at a point Of the road not
far from Green's barn She also stated that
Gilbert, on that day or the day after, burnt up
n pair of pants and gloves, which Gilbert az
forwards. in a conversation with the sheriff,
a kuowledged to. The negro Gilbert also adj
mttei to Sheriff Hull an his way to jail that
the old man had been at his house, and he
accompanied him short distance, when he
left him. Mr. c. going on across the hills, aud
that Mr.. c. had given him. before they sePa-
rated twenty dollars, which be bad placed in
a tin box and buried in his garden. Sheriff
hull went to the spot described by Gilbert and
sure enough there fouad the money. The ne
gro is about 30 years old-stouty bnilt, and
has always borne bad reputation.