The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-06-21
The Uniontown Tragedy.


1t has been but little more than five months
since the newspapers were filed with the
details of shocking tragedy in Union
town, Pa. The case attained a wider no.
toriety than common on account OF the
prominence of the parties connected there
with. n. l.. Dukes, a member-elect OF
the Pennsylvania Legislature. shot and
killed A. G. Mutt, eX-treasurer of the
State, and a man widely known and greatly
beloved. 1t will be remembered that Dukes
had been paying marked attention to Nuts
daughter, to whom he was engaged. In
December last, Dukes wrote to Mutt. who
was in Harrisburg, saying that he could
not marry his daughter and making foul
charges against the girls chastity. The
father came ut once to Uniontown, went
to the Office of Dukes, and was there killed
in cold blood. The murderer was tried,
and declared not guilty. The verdict as
founded the public and was Indignantly re-
scented by the people of the town. who
threatened both Dukes and the jurymen
with summary punishment. Subsequently
Dukes endeavored to claim his seat in the
Legislature, but was denied it. He re-
turned to the scene of his crime and under
took to continue the practice of the law.
No one would associate with HIM, he be-
came an outcaSt from society, and was
stunned by almost all who were respect
able. He was warned to leave the town
time and again, but through the influence
of injudicious advisers declined to do so,
SAYING that he intended to remain until
carried to the cemetery. He grew holder
as time went on and no one attempted to
modest him, and it is said sneered at James
Mutt, the son of his victim, as he passed
him on the street. The boy. for he was
only about twenty years old, IS represented
as quiet and unobtrusive. but determined.
eral times asked him to promise that he
would not undertake to avenge his sisters
wrong and fathers death. He would never
promise. Last Tuesday he went to her
and said, Mother Dukes laughed i'll my
face the other day. | can't stand this amy
longer A short while afterwards the
debt was paid, and the murderers black
ened soul had gone to the great account.
To add to Dukes crime it is said that his
charge against Miss Mutt was a vile
Islander, without one scintilla of truth to
support it. The girl claims to be, and
there is no reason to doubt the claim,
wholly innocent.
Young Mutt has been imprisoned and
will doubtless be tried at an early day. No
jury will ever convict him. If there ever
was excuse for the higher law this was the
case. The boy, as he said, was impelledtoth the
deed by a power beyond human strength to
resist. 1t seems great pity that he should
hands in human blood 1t was relief to
Dukes. His life was q lingering damna-
tien, and must have continued q torture us
long us breath lasted. He had forfeited
all that manhood holds dear, and his name
was a by-word and reproach throughout the
nation. There should have been some
other instrument to end his accused
career. If the law had done its duty, the
boy who rests in Uniontown jail now would
not have his life doubly Swallowed as it is,
and there would have been more respect
felt for the tribunals wherein justice is
supposed to be melted out. The abuse of
the Jury system has another sin to answer
for