The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-17
Story OF THE CRIME,
For Which the Murderer was ii auKed-
Revolving Case. !.

Revolving Case.
John Smith, ,colored, was a boss on a section
OF the West Virginia Central ( Pittsburgh
Railroad. Tuesday, the 18th Of May last
he spent his time in Elkins, little village
about fourteen miles from here, situated
on the line OF the railroad OF the Maryland
side Of the north branch OF the Potomac
river, drinking and carousing. Several
days before this, Smith had called at the
house Of Josiah Harding, white man at o
late hour and desired place in which to
sleep. Harding at that time drove him from
the place. Smith swore that he would be
revVnged. About 10 o'clock Tuesday night
after his drinking bout he went to Hard.
ing's house once more. The family was
preparing for bed when two pistol shots
were fired both balls entering the house
through window. In the excitement
which ensued, Harding sent his family up
stairs, but Alice, his nine-year.old daughter,
was forgotten and left asleep in her bed In
the lower room. Mrs.:.Hardipg having left
the first floor, her husband opened the door
to ascertain the cause OF the shooting.
Smith, as soon as the door was unbolted,
pushed his way in. The noise wakehed
up Alice, who saw the negro clutch her
father by the throat, pull revolver and
iire three shots into his body. Harding
was instantly killed. The lamp having in
the meantime been extinguished, Mrs.
Hardingiwh compelled by concern for
her husbands saiety, had yentured down
stairs, could not see what happened.
nrWTL1 AasaTuT
Suddenly she felt herself clasped by tho
negro, who brutally dragged her out Of the
house and away from 1t some distance, but
accomplished nothing more. Her son,
Bob endeavored 10 rescue his mother from
the brute, but was driven off by the re-
yolyer he hourished.
The boy started off to arouse the neigh.
bors. Smith went 10 his place OF board.
ing and told his companions 10
awaken him at 4 A. M. He then went
coolly 10 sleep. About midnight posse OF
citizens surrounded the place and called
for him, but he hid ia chimney and was
not found. After the searchers had gone
he took TO the woods. On the 18Th OF May
the State Attorney, J. W. Veitch, received,
word that Smith had been seen the day be-
fore at Keyser, W. Va, travelling towards
Romney. He had given the name of John
White and stated that he was bound for
Winchester, Va. Mr.. Veitch teIegraphed to
the chief OF police at Winchester 10 arrest
The fugitive Saturday night MAY l9) be
received word that Smith had been arrested
at Winchester by Officer Mccartney.
Jerry Browning was sent to identity the
murderer, which he did; a requisition was
obtained and Smith lodged in jail here
until the September term Of court, when he
was indicted, tried and convicted. The
trial commenced September lS.h and con.
cluded Friday the 2lst.
THE CONVICTION, CARE AND REcAPTuRE.
The Jury was out but twenty minutes.
Their verdict was received by the con-
demned man with the laughing remark,
"The circus Is over, now for the concert"
During the trial he maintained stolid de-
meanor, and appeared utterly Indifferent
as TO his probable fate. He had no de.
tense whatever, and what few witnesses he
had were contradictory. His counsel
worked faithfully, but without hope. The
evidence against Smith was overwhelming
On tne ulkut Vi 4uuleuhyt OctoUoE u
Smith, who was under sentence OF death
In the jail here, assaulted Jailor Crop as
that officer was serving supper, hurting
him severely, and escaped from town. Crop
had only small penknile with which 10
defend himself, but with that he gave
Smith three slashes across the ab.
domen. These wounds bled freely
and came near cheating the gallows
Of ito legitimate fruit. Inside Of an hour
alter bis escape Sheriff Jamison called on
Capt. WardWell, Of Company B Garrett
Guards, to aslist In the recapture Of the
fugitive. Captain Wardwell responded
promptly, his men going on duty att
\ O'Clock Thursday evening and remaining
out until o'clock Friday morning. A de.
taGhment Of fifteen men under Lieut.. Ma
Ron, were nut ON picket and palrol duty or