The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-11-01
Wheeling Register, 25th inst,
The Maynard Weirs.
An Old Man Murdered by his
Desperate Son.

Desperate Son.
Dur Correspondents Account of the
st. Clairsville Patr1cide--Gen.
Weir's Head Crushed by a
- Club-.The Verdict of the
-..a. Coraner's jury.
ST, CLArasvrLLE, October 23-Our
people were shocked last evening to
learn that another terrible tragedy bad
been enacted 10 our midst, and that
another foul murder had stained the fair
name of onr town. Following so soon
liter the Weir murder OF few months
ago, we we're scarcely prepared to re-
cord another fearful tragedy in the same
family. The readers of the Register re-
member the brutal killing of Sterling
Riggs by George Weir last Christmas
and that Weir is now confined in Jail
here under indictment for murder in the
first degree. We are now called upon
to chronicle another murder, in which
Jsmes Weir, brother of George, 10 the
murderer and General James Weir,
father of George and james, is the VIC
tim. .a .sa8 rts,aH srs
It was shortly after dark last evening
that this com munity was startled by the
announcement that James Weir had
made. murderous assault upon his
father, and that the latter was then in a
dying condition.. The tragedy occurred
at General Weir's residence, which is
but few rods southeast tof town, be-
tween the town and the Narrow (5auge
depot. Gen. Weir, his son James, who
is about 30 years Of age, and little
daughter, Ada, aged IL, have been =
e KEEPINa HOUSE TOGETHER.
For short lime, their housekeeper fav-,
ing left recently. The daughter Ada has
been working with Miss Cady, dress
maker in this place, who desired to
adopt her. Miss Cady is worthy
Christian lady and the change Of Ada
from her own home to that of Miss
Cady would have been good one for
the grl. But her father objected and
refused 10 give her up. James Weir,
her brother, was warmly enlisted in the
proposition to bind Ada to Miss Csdy,
and last evening be tried to get his faith
er TO sign an article of agreement to
that effect. This the old gentleman re-
fused TO do, which so enraged James
that he struck the General a violent
blow on the face which knocked him
down and, together with the fall, rem
dered him unconscious Ada went for
Drs. Henry and J.. E. West, who an.
swered the summons a, quickly as pos
81 lie, and upon arriving at the Weir
mansion they found the old man past
all earthly hopes, james, who had
realized the enormity of his ofense, was
trying to restore his father to con
sciousness and implored the doctors to
save his life. Doubtless James did not
intend to kill the old gentleman, but be
is possessed OF an ungovernable temper
and this is what caused the commission
Of the crime The whole family had
most violent tempers, the father being
no exception, and their home is describ-
ed by those who know as
AvERIrABLE HE'LL UPON EARTH.
James is generally considered the
best OF the lot. He is industrious and,
except when his temper got the best OF
him, be was well-behaved and law abid-
ing. ~ Ca
After the physicians arrived, JAMES
frankly told them what be had done, and
appeared very sorry for the deed. The
doctors having gwen the old man
up to die, James began 20 think of the
| consequences OF his rash act, aud about
halt-past eight O'Clock he slipped out in
| 10 the darkness and disappeared. going
no one knew whittier. There was no
effort made to detain or arrest him, i,
| being known that under the circumstan.
4 ces he would be bad man to fool with
/ The officers claim they had no, right to
make the arrest without warrant, prob
ably for the reason that the W eirs are 9
vicious, dangerous set. ~ go,
| Gen. James Weir has, years ago, beer
one Of the most prominent citizens o.
Belmont county. Many years ago he
was leading lawyer here, and he has
4 represented this county in the Ohio leg
islature. For several years be has been
quite feeble and childish and had become
badly run down and generally demora'
lized. His property, Two small farm
} near this place, is heavily mortgaged 10
debt and his home indicates the abod'
of poverty. What little respectabilit.
the family attained becauseSof the Gen
3 erals prominence, long since departed
8 from them, aud they are Stunned by to-
3 better class OF the community. Th
8 daughter Ada $
rsA BRIGHT, PROMISING GIRL,
2 and with proper training would no dout
4 turn out we'll. .--,7e sysa a4e .
y At this hour, Gen. Weir is still breath
y ing. but the doctors pronounce his cas-
y y hopeless. He has not returned to cor
y sciousness, aud his entire BODY is para
- ,zsd. He cannot live more than fe
~ hours at best. sg.s