Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-16


A Wheeling CIV. Na) telegram of the Sd
says: For several years that portion of
West Virginia in and about Barbour >coun-
ty has been the scene of the outrages of a
band of thieves and murderers that for
thoroughness of organization and success
full work rivals anything this country has
ever seen. Murder after murder and rob-
berry after robbery have been committed,
unit the people have been terrorized. Both
Doddridge and Barbour counties are wild and
largely covered with a timber growth. In
the latter county the Alleghanies begin to
dwindle into hills. Doddridge county, al
though rugged, is not so wild. During the
past six months, six murders have been
committed in this one county, with popu-
lation of less that 1900.
Soon after the war moonshiners began
business in these counties because of their
remoteness and inaccessibility. The Gov
eminent vainly endeavored to break the il
legal business up. One of the gaugers in
the employ of the United States was Ma
rion Howse, man who possessed the con-
fidence of all who knew him. Soon after
his arrival on the ground the illicit distil-
leries began to disappear, according to his
report, and the authorities congratulated
themselves on the favorable turn of affairs.
Howse established himself at the little vii
liage of Phillippi, place of two hundred
inhabitants, nestled at the foot of the great
hills, hamlet not often visited by the out
side world, but so situated that all the mail
from a number of back counties passed
through it. AS there were no banks there
the merchants sent money to pay for their
goods by registered letters.
Just after Howse settled in Phillippi he
began to organize lodge of 'fRed Men" to
suppress crime and lawlessness. Into this
order came many prominent persons, farm
ers, merchants, attorneys, and even school
teachers. Howse was made Grand Sachem,
and got up constitution and all things
necessary for thorough organization. AT
ter the plans were fully matured Howse
began to crystalize his scheme, which at
that time was to protect the moonshiners.
To do this he won over several men in each
subordinate wigwam to his views, and the
fun began. Some of the best men in the
county engaged in the work without scru-
pie. Howse levied a special tax on each
still protected, and was rapidly accumulat-
ing money. One of his trusted agents was
man named Price, United States deputy
marshal.
After time the stills from some cause
were shut down, and the organization turn
ed its attention to mailrobbing as spec
iality. A map of the mail routes in half a
score of adjoining counties was made. The
most favorable places for robbery were
marked, as were also all avanues of escape.
Men were detailed to watch the offices,
keep track of the valuable packages, and
report them at headquarters, and relays of
horses were provided for this purpose 1t
is certain that post office attaches were en-
gagged in the enterprise, but the officers
have not yet made known their names.
The mail-carrier, too often boy, was way
laid at some lonely spot, the pouches taken
away, their contents rif1ed of all valuables,
and the balance burned. For nearly two
years this thing continued, and over forty
rohberies and at least three murders were
committed. None of the murdered persons
were connected with the mail service. Last
summer the mail-pouches from the rear
counties coming in to take the train on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Webster,
Taylor county, were taken from the boy in
lonely gorge near Calhoun, Randolph
county, and four thousand dollars was alb
straeted and all the contents of the pouches
destroyed. The ''Red Men" made great
parade and vowed vengeance, but nothing
came of it. So strong had the cred Men"
become that Howse determined to use the
organization to wreak vengeance on Worth
letters, deputy Uniled States marshal for
West Virginia. An old feud had long made
them enemies and Howse resolved to kill
him. This more than anything else led to
the denOument. Howse in his anxiety to
accomplish his end lost his caution.
In August last the boldest robbery of all
occurred. The mail from Randolph, Tuck
er, and Upshur counties was in charge of a
boy on board wagon en- route for
Webster via Phillfppi. Howse planned the
robbery, which took place in piece Of tim
Der known as Browns woods, at the foot
of Laurel mountain, seven miles from Phil
hppl. Noah Kittles, who was engaged
personally in this robbery, made a confess
sion last night to United States Marshal
Atkinson. Five persons shared in the pro-
ceeds of the affair. 'Howse said the best
time to rob the mail was on Monday" said
Kittles, "as he had frequently seen ten
registered letters leave the Bellington post
office on that day. Hoffman and We're to
do the robbing. Price was to go to the Bel
lington post-ofice, and if there were several
registered letters in the mail he was to ride
along on the left side of the mail-boy.
When they got into Browns woods we
(Hoffman and y stepped into the road.
Hoffman drew revolver and club. We
mace the boy get off his horse, and we took
the mail-pouch into the woods, cut it open,
took out the letters, got all the money and
left. I got about 5000 or $7OO for my part
The money was to be equally divided among
us. The day after the robbery Howse said
to me ifhe did not get his share he would
make revelation. Hoffman took Price's
share and was to give it to him. Before
the robbery was made we planned to lay it
on Salathael Cross and Sam Coontz