The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-13
A HOME HOMICIDE.
TRAGEDY NEAR ALosRsoN,
A School Tsaeh,r Shot BY an Easragsd Husl and.
AyIetlm ofths CosjurOr'sA Art-Ths Ssntimsnt
OF the CommuhIty-A Tell Tale Letter.
Former History or the Homicide,
Correspondence of the lntcllISencor.

correspondence Of tie lntelligenCcr.
ALDERsoN, W. Va, March "a shock
ing tragedy occurred about four miles from
here to-day, resulting in James Graham
shooting and fatally wounding school
teacher named R. T. Smith.
Graham, the homicide, is rather an old
man, and two years ago married a young
wife, who is the principal cause Of this
bloody affair. 1t seems that about four
months ago Smith came from Virginia to
Summers county, and began teaching
school near Graham's, and soon became
enamored with the latter's vile. 1t was
not until some time in January that Gra-
ham discovered that his wife's affections
were being cast on Smith, and shortly
afterward the school house was burned
down. Finding that Smith failed to leave
when out OF school, but still had stolen
interviews with his wife, Graham took his
gun and compelled him to take the train at
this place and leave, and afterwards, hear
ing, or fearing that Smith would return,
Graham posted notices up in the neighbor-
hood warning him il he valued his life not
to come back to his house any more, and
when talking OF the way his wife treated
him TO his friends would cry like child.
This kept Smith away until this morn
ing when he returned and attempted TO
enter Graham's house, when the latter
came out with shotgun, and rs he
az 20 ban pl,
The gun was loaded with rifle balls and
small shot, some eight or ten Of which took
effect in Smiths neck and breast. The
physicians consider 1t fatal.
About thirty years ago Graham was pros
ecuted in the Circuit Court OF Monroe
county for killing his sister with dogs His
lawyers finding he would likely bc con-
victed there, got q change OF venue to Giles
county, Virginia, where he had his trial,
but was acquitted. Since then and up to
the present occasion he has been very
good citizen.
The wounded man, Smith, is small and
very delicate looking He appeared to be
very superstitious. About the last OF Jam
uary your correspondent was shown let
ter written to him but opened through a
mistake by r. I. n. Smith, barber o.. this
place. This letter was from man who
signed himself "James Lee, Conjuror
Doctor, -, Fauquier Co., Va.," and he
wrote that he had received his (Smith's)
letter and was sorry he had lost the charm
which be had sold him, W by that means
he would have had luck unless he would
do as he told him. Lee said he could
not send another charm by mail as
it would lose its power, but for
Smith TO get the "woman to get lock Of
her husbands hair and wrap ii up with q
piece Of saltpetre in red flannel rag and
throw it in running water, and as she
threw it in the water to make wish that
the old man would be away as fur as grass
and water run, after which, she and her
husband would quarrel and he would leave
her, 80 then they would not be bothered by
him any more" Lee. the "Coniuror
Doctor" closed bis letter by saying, "Please
send me some more money"
1t is thought that Smith put too much
confidence In this fellows modern witch
craft, and richly deserved his fate.