Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-12-19

On Sunday evening last, Allen Dever,
vino short time since was released
from the Western Lunatic Asylum. ~
StauntOn, attempted to kill his wife and
father-in law, near SheDatdosh Iron
Works, in the Eastern part Ofthis coun
ty. Since his release from the Asylum
he had been very quiet, and had, Sd far
as outsiders knew, been living very
peaceably with his family. o. Sunday
evening. while his wife was washing
some dishes he came in the house aDd
began to whet his kDife on milk CROCK
which sat on the table where she was u
work. She asked him what he intended
doing, and he replied that he would
soon show her. She suspected that b.
might mean mischief, and started for
the door, when he spraIg upon her and
plunged the knife into her back just be
low the shoulder blade She screamed
for help, and her father, who Was on tint
outside of the house, came running up
whereupon Dever made Vt him with TIT
knife, saying, we will alt die together !"
His father in law, (Mr P"yutrr, re ".
Informed was his uatu-) ran from hin
AZ fast az he could, but Dever followed,
.tabbing him with the Knife whenever
close enough, uUtiI fence was reached.
when Mr.. POynt+r iumpet over. bu.
| just rs he was In the act Of doing 30 his
pursuer thrust the kuifs into him 80 deep
| that it hung In the wound Alter Cross
ing the Fl nee Mr. Pnynter ran perhaps
20 yards and tell from loss Of blOuM.-
Daver returned to the house. The
al arm was soon given throughout the
neighbOrhOod, ami y posse Uf men fr0tn
che Iron Works attempted Ia capture
him, but he refused IL BIZ taken. say ing
that he would kill the first man VINO
came into the house A warrant was
issued by q magistrate for his arrest, and
placed ia the t,ands Of Constable V. H.
Lam, but it did not reach him until Late
sunday night ami he sent word IN the
persons guarding the house to keep close
watch until murning. and to shoot
Dever if it became absolutely necessary
o prevent his escape. Dsver stayed III
the house until after night, but would
Iailow no one elss to enter, but after das
he came out and declared his intention
Of leaving, armed with an aXe. the
guards told him that if he attempted to
pass they would shoot him, but he seem
! ed to have no fear, and at last Que Oi
them was forced to shoot him, the ball
striking him in the leg, In order to pre-
v0ut LIE lSAvx1Ks N10 GAGu WCn0 0oOu
into the house and stayed till morning,
had the greatest difficulty 10 SECURING
him. He armed himself With HI a&t
and threatened destruction to any per
son who put their hands on him he
was finally taken, but it Was d0ne with
five pistols at his beast and Was brought
TO Harrisonburg on Monday evening BY
Mr.. Lam. in coming to Town he told
the Constable IT OnG time hat be intend
ed to get off the horse sud return. but by
the presentation of dangerous lrQktnG
pistol he was persuaded to come I'll
without further difficulty, aud wa.
finally lodged In jail.
When Mr. Lam left the Iron Works
Mr.. Poynter, the wounded man. WA
| still olive, but the DOCTORS said 1t war
Impossible for him to recover, and b.
was unable to apesk or give any tatis
factory account at tha hlW'dy deed
Dever's wife was also ia very precar
ious condition, but FROM what We could
learn we do not think >be will die i
Was horrible affair. and we cannot con
ceive how it is possible FIR the man Il
oe any thing but lunaric who woulC
commit such q crime, though. We un
ierstand that aDme persons In the neigh
oorhood deemed hjtA sane. As stated
above, he was short iiAHe Rtgce an In
mate of the Lunatic Asylum a. gssNp
ION, but had been released by the ply
-icians as cured. For q number Of year
he has been known in HarrisOuburg =,
desperate character, totally devoid 81
ear, and physically very powerful. and
when drinking was disposed to b
troublesome. .e3f