Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-10-27

justice we SnOulu learn lnlS- lesson.
We are called upon to-day to meet in
this house under circumstances of pc
culiarly awful solemnity. 1t was my
privilege to stand here upon several oc-
casions, to perform the last sad offices
to the dead. On this occasion know not
what to say to my fellow-men. Within
my knowledge the Angel of God entered
this home Eve times. This time he has
lentered under the stroke Of violence,
and we are called upon to perform the
last sad rites for father who died un-
der the hand of one who should have
fostered and protected him. The speak
Ier said that the want of the recognition
lof the claims of God upon us is the
cause of such state of things as we
find here, and that it was our duty to
correct the depravity of heart which
IgrOws out of the corruption of human
nature. He said, we as citizens owe a
duty to civil society, and inquired if we
had exercised the benign influerceS upon
lit which we ought to have done.
Has civil law been so executed as to
protect society? fear, yea, belive. it
has not. l believe we would not be wit
Messing such scene as we are to-day if
there had-been an impartial execution
lof the law against traG sgressors in the
years that have gone. We ought, as
members of society, demand the execu-
ton of justice. Every citizen should
Iimperatively demand that the law be so
executed that justice shall be done. AS
a community, we are reaping the bitter
fruits of lax execution of the law. Stand
ling here to-day, l claim it TO be my pre-
rogative to say that it is the duty of the
citizen to see that justice and right be
meted out, when crime Is committed.
These are things we have to do with
they come to our very doors. We must
meet them.
Remarks of Rev. Robert Alexander:
do not wish to detain you long, but feel
constrained to add few words to what has
been saitalready. ] lean fully endorse what has
been said by Brother 'Balph. Often have we
stood together in this house, when death has
been here, but this is the saddest occasion
which has ever brought us here. l am heart
sick and distressed over this dreadful occur
renee. | feel ashamed to look my fellow-citi-
zens in the face, and know that we live where
such crime has been committed. What are
we coming tot A little while ago our streets
were stained with blood, and now 4 son raises
his hand rgainst his aged and helpless father,
and crushes out his life. We are q by-word in
the mouths of the country around, and our
county and court the laughing stock Of the
whole state. Some are of opinion that as min
listers Of religion We are to keep silent when
crime is committed; that we should wipe the
blood from our psvements and attend the funer-
ais of murdered men, and say nothing Of these
horrid crimes. But the time has surely come
to. speak in clearness and faithfulness. The
people need to be aroused TO their interests, to
demand protection for their property and lives.
The only safe man in this community is the |
criminal. He may shoot you down in cold blood
and the law and the court will protect him. Ifl
necessary the whole military force of the state
of Ohio can be called out to protect him. But
your life is in jeopardy every hour. This is our
situation, and is enough to fill US with alarm.
What the next crime will be we cannot tell. |
The Judgment that has fallen here is not mere
ly judgment on this house, but on the whole t
community. God is holding a controversy with
US, and has spoken in thunder tones. Let US
hear his voice lest greater evils come. Let US
take the principles of religion into our families;
let children know restraint, and be trained in
the fear of God. Parents, do your duty toward
your children, for if you do not you may expect
them to break your hearts.
ISt US uemdnu Une Dettcr e1eCullOn VI our
laws. We have right to protection. We have
suIrenderd our right to self-protectiOn into the
hands of the civil authorities that they may de-
fend US. Let us see TO it that we have the pro-
lection of the laws of civilized society. Only
in maintaining and executing our laws against
crime are we safe and have right to expect
Gods blessing on US.
At the conclusion of the remarks Rev.
Alexander offered up an earnest prayer,
after which the body was viewed by the
people present, and the Masons con-
cluded the ceremonies at the house by
the exercises provided in their ritual.
The coffin was then closed and conveyed
to the hearse by Masonic pall-bearers,
thence to Union cemetery, followed by
the little daughter and Mr.. Jesse Weir
a nephew of deceased and wife, the only
relatives present, the Masonic order,
members of the Bar in body, and
large number of friends. At the ceme-
terry the Masons went through with their
beautiful burial service; short prayer
was offered by Rev. Alexander, and all
that was mortal of james Weir was laid /
away in the grave.
THE VICTIM.
Gen. James Weir, was in his S4th year,
and in by-gone days was a prominent
character in this community. In his
palmy days he was an influential citizen,
and at the Bar was the cOmpeer of Gov.
Wilson Shannon, Judge VIM. Kennon
Qrish), Judge Benz. Cowen, Daniel Peck,
C. G. Carroll, and other men of note. AS
a pleader it is said that he had no supe-
rior, and as legal preceptor no equal at
the bar. He has seldom, if ever, appear
ed in court in cause since the adoption
of the new Constitution, and of recent
years has lived secluded life.
In the Order of Masonry, he was a
Knight Templar, the degree having been
conferred by special dispensation by the
General Grand Commandery of the Uni
ted States at GAINESVILLE, and he was one
of the charter members of Hope Com
mandery of St. Clairsville. OF recent
years his life was eleuded by trouble,
and his life went ont in turmoil, but 1T
tie removed from that In which lie had
lived for some time,
THE ROOM
where the crime was committed was the
parlor, on the lower floor. 1t WAS car-
peted and was scartily furnished with a
few chairs, sofa, common square
stand and Haines Bros piano-a pre-
sent to the daughters from their grand
mother. On the walls hung the pictures
of two daughters, handsome girls, and a
son-aIl deceased.
TIE LETTERS AND AGREEMENT.
The following undeIivered letter with
the agreement attached on the same
page of paper, and which Jim" wanted
his father to sign, together With the un-
sign"d letter, and an addressed envel-
ope. with pen and small inkstand, were
found upon the table:
Oct. %, 1851.
Miss OADY:
dn has inst told me that vnn feel some nm |