The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-03
A DEED In DODDRlDGE
THAT RovsEs THE COMMUNITY.
The Fourth Murder In Eight nontAs-rhs Last
Crime Takes Place Ia alOouy Rarius-rhs
Iadigas,iOn OF the POpuiAet-History Of
the Murderer Aud his sylctln-rhe Plat.

Crime Takes Place In bloomy hAUne-ine
IadigaatiOn OF the POpulAet-Histcry Of
the Murderer Aud his sylctlm-The Plat.
Special Di,patch TO he IattliOsaoa.
CLARKsBURG, W. Va, August 2.-Dodd.
ridge county adds another to the long list
OF murders. Last night John Cayton shot
and killed Henry Rice. The parties live
four miles north OF New Salem. Three
months since Cayton, who had charge Of
Judge Camden's land, tried to eject Rice
from II. A fight ensued and shots were ex-
changed. Rice was ousted and jailed at
West Union, but was subsequently released
on bail. The last court found an indict-
ment against Rice for shooting with intent
to kill. Since the fight the parties went
armed. Last night Rice went TO New
Salem 10 make some purchases, and
started home about seven o'clock.
Ho carried a gun. Nothing is known ot
what occurred afterwards, except as Cayton
tells 1t. He says he met Rice atthe
mouth Of ravine leading to Rice's house.
A quarrel followed. Rice tried to shoot
him, and he shot Rice in self defense. Al.
ter tire shooting Cayton walked mile and
a hall past his own house to neighbors
and told what he had done The Justice
Of the Peace at New Salem refused to issue
warrant because 1t was out OF his iuris-
diction, as Salem was in Harrison county.
A warrant was issued this morning. Cay
ion is forty-fVe years old and OF fair
reputation. He leaves wife and four
children. Rice was fifty years old. He
lived with a woman said not to be his wife.
The gun was loaded with lath nails. The
victim was shot in the right breast
and horribly manged. Both were soldiers
in the same company In the Confederate
army. There is great excitement, and the
whole county is aroused. Threats OF lynch
ing are very strong. This is the fourth
murder known ia the county in eight
months, and three other suspected cases.
Bucher, the man shot by swigart Sat
urday, died last night.
PARTICULARS OF THB CRIME.
The particulars are as follows Since the
first quarrel both men have gone around,
each protesting his fear OF the other. Yes
terday afternoon Rice went to New Salem
to purchase goods and groceries fort use
OF his family. He brought with him his
shot gun. Between and o'clock be
started home. What occurred after he left
the town is unknown, except in 30 far as
Cayton tells it. Cayton says that Just at
dark he met Rice at the mouth Of deep
and lone ravine leading to Rice's house.
The subject OF the ejectment, the arrests
and indictment were discussed, resulting,
as was to have been expected, in quar-
rel, In the course OF the quarrel Cayton
says Rice threatened to shoot him and
raised his guu for that purpose. Cayton,
however, got the "drop on him." as he ex.
presses 1t, and shot him dead. The weapon
used was shot gun. 1t was loaded with
lath or shingle nails. The shot took effect
in the right breast, and tore frightful
hole, mangling the flesh until great shreds
hung down. The face presented a picture
Of agony, and the hands clasped the gun.
They held so tightly that It was almost i'm.
possible to uncI'lsp them. The ground was
bloody for some distance around.
cAYToN suRRENpRRs.
After the shooting Cayton Immediately
started down the road toward his own
Aonse, Arriving there he concluded not
to enter, but proceeded On ~ the hoHse af
a. neighbor, who resides about two miles
from the scene OF the murder. On the
way be passed the houses OF several &C.
quai1tances, but to no one did he tell Of
the murder until he reached the house
spoken Of above. There he told his story,
and gave himself up. Word was at once
sent to New Salem, but the Justice there
refused to issue a warrant, as the case was
beyond his jurisdiction. The parties then
repaired 10 3 Justice in Doddridge county,
who issued the warrant Dayton was
placed under arrest this morning and taken
to West Union.
John Cayton, the murderer, is man Of
iorty-tve, strong willed, inclined to be
ovefbearing, but 10 regarded as strictly
honest, and has hitherto borne fair repp.
tation. He was not quarrelsome, ordinarily,
but yindictiye and 'revengeill when once
thoroughly aroused. He and Rice had
been soldiers in the same company in the
Confederate army, and until the past few
months, 50 far as known, they had been on
good terms. Cayton has. a wife aud several
children.
Henry hice was fye years Cayton's
senior. Was considered not over bright; |
a peaceful aud inoiIensive man. A mum.
Der OF years ago his vito died, and soon
alter he hecap Lying with another woman,
10 whom, Popular rlmor says, he vas negef
married. Other than this nothing has
ever been said against his character. He
was indolent, and provided somewhat lily
for bis family, which consisted OF the wife
and three or four children. The frat word
of the tragedy was received at New Salem
about u o'clock last night.
TIE BLOODY SPOT. /
II a peculiarly gloomy spot is desirable
as n place to commit murder, the scene OF
Rice's death is gao emiRently fitting. The
road runs nearly north, With . slight curve
toward the east. On the west side mis-.
erable little water course shrinks beneath
q ledge of rocks, tbe crest Of which Is
covered with u. thick undergro9th' of
stunted shrubs. On the east side two
hills divorced by deep, gloomy ravine,
come down to the very roadway. The
hills are thickly covered with close grow.
ing WOODS that like q heavy beard hides
their faces. fhe sides oi tie rayjpe are
formed OF high and precipitous ledges OF
rock, In the crevices Of which laurel
grows abundantly. A noisy stream Of dull
sraylsh ya,sE daahes oyer bed Of rock.
On one side path has been beaten out
among a tsngled growth Of weeds. Tie
home Of Rice, a common log structure at
the upper end Of the rayine, 400 or 500
yards from the mouth, where the course Is
ended against the bill. Thh houEe hss eYesy
appearance Of neglect and poverty. Win.
doigs gre wanted and the door s9gs on its
wooden hinges. The murder occurred on
the south side OF the mouth oi the raylne,
at the point where Rice turned 10 enter It.
4 thick clump Of bushes on the north side
,,oI,id a IFnyi a nerfect amhuGcada fnr anv