Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-01-24
TsRRfpIs FloHr WITH Mono


MuTE.-Mr. Charles G. Cramer, of
Mount Pleasant, accompanied by Messrs.
Charles L. Stimmel and George w
Rhoderick, of the same place, arrived
in town Wednesday evening at about
5 o'clock with Asbury Stewart (colored,
a mute, in charge, charged with attempt
ing to kill Mr.. Charles A. Thomas, who
is farmer residing near the place men,
toned. The circumstances of the affair
as detailed by the officers are as follows:
Wednesday morning at about $50
o'clock as Stewart, who has worked for
Mr.. Thomas for the past year, was leav-
Ing the kitchen to go to the pump be-
came enraged at Miss Kate Devilbiss,
Mr.. Thomas housekeeper, she having
closed the door, which he had lett ajar
as be passed out, after him with con-
siderable force. He
INSTANTLY RUSHED BACK
into the kitchen and assaulted Miss
Devilbiss, pushing her over the stove,
she falling and dragging to the floor
with her the tea-kettle, the boiling wa
ter from which raj over and scalded
her. At this moment Mr.. Thomas two
daughters, Misses Hester and Annie,
aged fifteen and sixteen respectively,
came upon the scene. Annie called
loudly for her father who came from
his bed chamber and motioned the
negro to desst in his assault upon Miss
Devlbiss, which he did. Mr.. Thomas
returned to his room TO dress when in
few moments he was called again.
AS soon as he entered the kitchen Stew
art left Miss Devilbiss and
ATTACKED HIM WITH FURY.
Before appearing the second time Mr..
Thomas had provided himself with a
revolver, with which, on the instant the
negro struck at him, he aimed and fired
the shot taking effect over Stewards
left eye. The trenzied negro did not
fall but knocked the revolver from Mr..
Thomas hand before he could use it
again, the cylinder being out of order,
and grappled with him. A rough and
tumble contest then began, both men
being Of powerful physique. Over and
over they went upon the floor until
Miss Devilbiss came to MIR, Thomas
rescue
WITH AN IRON POKER.
As she aimed and struck a blow at
Stewards head. he Judged, caught and
jerked the poker from her hands and
with it dealt Mr.Thomas terrible
blow across the forehead. AT this
iuncture Miss Hester rushed upon the
negro with a butcher knife with which
she hacked him across the face. Stew
arts attention being diverted Mr.
Thomas recovered himself quickly, pick
ed up chair and felled his terrible ad-
versary TO the floor, when the farmers
two dogs attacked the negro savagely.
He
SHOOK OFF THE DOGS
and was about to rise when he was
knocked down again with chair. In
an instant, however, he was on his feet
again and before Mr.. Thomas could
prevent his doing SO, had rushed out OF
the house to the yard. Upon reaching
the yard he fell, but got upon his feet
in brief period and made off across
the country.
TIE ARREST.
As soon as possible Mr.. Thomas went
into Mount Pleasant and appearing be-
fore Justice Long related the above cir
cumstances. The Justice Immediately
| issued warrant for the arrest of Stew
art and placed it in the hands of Mr..
| Charles G. Cramer, who he authorized
TO make the arrest. Stewart was arrest
ed during the day on the pike two miles
East of Liberty. He was coming back
toward Mount Pleasant at the time and
made no resistance, but accompanied
the officer to the Magistrates Office
quietly. After hearing he was commit
ted to await the action of the grand ju-
ry and
IS NOW IN JAIL
having been lodged there by the officer
and his assistants upon their arrival in
the city Wednesday evening as stated.
A Times reporter visited the Jail at
night and learned that Stewart was
considerably injured. The ball from
Mr.. Thomas revolver bad entered
Just above the eft eye, run mp over the
skull and come out on top, nearly at
the back of the head. He is a man of
forbddipg appearance, powerfully built
and is about As years old. He was born
at or near Liberty and is unmarried.
He has been in Jail twice before, both
times for assault.-Ffed,r'ck Times.