The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-26
Murder In Rockingham

The body OF Mr.. Jacob Lincoln, proml-
nent business man of Rockingham land own
er of The popular Merchant Mill of Lacey's
Spring. was found, on Saturday morning.
lying in state of insensibility, in the open
door OF his mill. The body was discovered
first by his brother, Mr.. Abraham Lincoln,
upon going to the mill about eight O'Clock
in the morning. 1t was subsequently ascer-
tanned that he had lain there since before
midnight, OF Friday, exposed to the colo'
though life was not extinct. and he fingered
until about three O'Clock of Saturday. A
thrill of horror ran through the com munity
when it was found that Mr.. Lincoln had
been the victim of a dastardly and brutal
murder. His absence from home, on Friday
night, gave no uneasiness to the family, as
he was in the habit of remaining at the mill
occasionally all night.
1t appears that he met his terrible death
in dispute arising from game of cards, in
which he had been engaged with George
Woods and Patrick Reed both of Rocking
ham, and of the same neigh borhood. Woods
and Reed are both under arrest, and Layman
brother-in-law Of Woods, also has been ar
rested, charged with being an accessory after
the fact--he having tried to conceal Woods
presence in his house where he was after
wards taken by Constable Neff. The Cor
oner's inquest held on Sunday morning
found that the murder was committed by
George Woods. The blow which resulted
in Mr.. Lincoln's death was struck with
rock up on the back Of his head, SCATTERING
his skull The face of the murdered man
showed evidence of brutal matreatment,
which must have been inflicted after he was
knocked down by the blow upon his head.
The chin and jaw showed marks of being
kicked or stamped with heavy boot.
Robbery, as well as deliberate murder,
was a lso found TO have been committed.
The pocket book of Mr.. L. was thought by
his family to have contained about 5000
in money This was taken and the pocket
book hastily crammed back into the pocket
open, and the papers in confusion. He had
$3.50 in bank book in another pocket. This
sum and the book were evidently not noticed
by the thief. His pocket-knife and pencil
were lying by his side and handkerchief
soaked in blood short distance off. One
Of the $40 bills, known to have been among
the SIS in the pocket book, was found upon
the path Woods took tow ards Layman's
house.
Woods was arrested and brought to Har-
risonburg on Saturday night. Reed and
I.ayman on Sunday evening.
Reed is not supposed to be implicated in
the murder. He swears to not having seen
blow struck, as he left at the first OF the
difficulty. He evidently was greatly fright
ened. He went to Mr.. Lincoln's home the
next evening to hear the result. but this was
not until the body had been found.
Mr.. Lincoln fingered until p. m. on Sat-
urday, giving no sign of consciousness or
recognition whatever, only breathing pain
fully. Drs. Jennings, Lincoln and Neff
were in attendance but nothing could be
done for his relief. He was 80 years of age
and leaves a widow and eight children.
The trial of Reed and Woods before the
magistrates court took place on the oath.
Woods was remanded to jail, Reed bailed at
$4,000 and Layman $500
Woods is regarded as a desperate and
worthless character. He is a brother of
"Bill Woods, - an idiot boy we'll known for
many years about Harrisonburg, and through
the county.