West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-07-12

MURDER OR SUICIDES
A Body Discovered Near Portland
Supposed 20 DO n Peddler-
The Matter being Investigated

On last Thursday afternoon, while Rar-
ney Dewitt, "A farmer who lives in Port
land district, WAS diggi ny ginseng on one
OF the tributaries OF Elsey's run. he dis
covered what he supposed tn be the co~t
OF tramp hanging on a bush. Al first
no was son ewhat timid about investlga
ting the natter, but after n time he mus
tered up courage enough To- proceed tow
ards the object, whore he discovered the
body OF n man L.. the last stage OF decon-
position. Upon discovering tho body,
Dewitt did not pause to further investi-
gate, but started Immediately tn Portl md
aftor help. and informed every one no mot
about IL. Several parties went immediate
ly TO the spot, and found that Dewitt was
not mistaken. The place whore the body
was found lies Wost OF the lower King
wood road. (by way OF the bridge) about
400 yJuds beiOv the second bridge y, Ing
itppl Portland, AMI about 80 yards from
tho road. When the body was found, one
ANGLE was 1T raped tn dead sapling, and
tho other bones scattered around for some
distance. Upon examination, the skull
was fou-d To be fractured on the righ,
side A revolver, With ono empty car
fridge shell was found lying near Ivy, also
an open razor. The coat vest and sus-
penders were found han ing on laurel
bush near the body. A peddlers pack sus-
pended tn bus b close by was found to
contsiD lot OF Jewelry, pictures, pens
&c, and leather purse containing over
eleven dollars In silver coin, and tho fol
lowing note,
"Aprile 20. 1879
"Icame, hear a stranger among you. for
tho purpis OF putting an end to my exist
ance. came a graft Distance. For the
last twenty years. My minu has bean of.
looted more or less. I.ife has became TO
me burdin am 60. years OF Ago. With
out famaly or home. have lived n
moral life but my. history. must and
shall remain unriton-
"You will fino enclosed along with this
poe ket book tho sum of over ten Dollars.
il my body or Bones shall be discovered
Jet sum Kind friend. gather them AZ thay
ar. and resoavo the money for his trouble,
"JouN FIcTIous."
In the coat pocket was found portions
April 10Th
An inquest was held on tho body on
Thursday night, but not coming TO any
definite conclusion, the inquest was posts
pOned till Tueseay evening whom after
hearing considerable testimony, Il was
again postponed until Friday morning OF
this week.
The affair remains pr ofound mystery,
and al yet tho various theories advanced
by different persons have fallen 10 tho
grovrd.
The Excitement In Portland district il
intense. and perhaps never before In this
county have the people Deen 30 generally
Mortified and shocked.
We were at the scene, aud we can no.
imagine a more lonesome and foarfIl
place The underground Is so thick tht
Il is with the greatest difficulty one can
penetrate TO the place whore tho body Wa
found,
1t is reported that part OF tho body Ina
been carried away by dogs, and that on
thumb was found in the yard of Henry
Stump, who lives but short distance
away from the place.
After the matter is fully investigated
We will give all the particulars-probably
In our next issue.