Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-09-04

Thos. Bentleys, his rotheI-in-law, since
which time trace of him has been lst
The poor old man, whose declining Years
have been made years of trouble and
wee, went to the scene of the shooting
and found Mr.. Griffith in the road dead
with bullet hole as described, indica-
ting that he had probably been attacked
from behind, and unawares. His rer
rolver was found in bis pOcket, with no
empty chamber. going to show that he
either never thought of using it ,or had no
opportunity of drawing it. Deceased Was
81 years of age, and one of the most eX-
emplary citizens of the vicinity in whicn
he lived, having the esteem and aspect
of all right minded people. Mitchell
has long been a man of intemperate
habits. and when under the influence of
liquor was terror to the community.
Upon the day of the murder, however.
it was said that he had not been drink
ing. His wayward course has led many
to believe that he would commit some
such deed, and yet it was terrible shock
to that CON munity. In fact, the perpe-
traitor of it would have stood a good
chance of being summarily dealt with
had he fallen into the hands of the peo-
pie that night
The news was received here, and
caused great excitement, for hours the
streets being crowded with knots of eX4
cited men discussing the matter. Dep
uty Frank Sedwic and posse started
Immediately in pursuit, but returned in
the morning without finding the assas-
sin.
Owing to the excellent family eonnec
tions of Mr. NJ, the murder is most
lamentable one, and the deepest sympa-
thy is felt for his aged father and moth
er and brothers, who cannot help but
feel heart broken that one so nearly re-
lated to them should be fugitive from
justice, with the red mark of murder set
on his head,
The County Commissioners offer re-
ward of $500 for the arrest and deten'
ton Of the assassin.
The funeral takes place to-day, Thurs
day, at 9 o'clock. Interment at Morris
town.
INQUEST.
Upon information that a crime had
probably been committed, Squire John
SidebottOm, acting as Coroner, held an
inquest, and after the examination of
witnesses and of the body, found that
"Charles G. Griffith came to his death
by gun shot wound in his head" and
that one Emmett Mitchell fired the
shot"
Below is certified copy of the tes'
timony:
An inquest by the undersigned held on the
I'd day of September, in the year 1884, at the
house OF Charles g Griffith, in said township,
over the dead body of Charles G Griffith. who
was supposed to have come to hi, death by
violence. The Undersigned, John SidebOttom,
Justice of the Peace in and for said county
and township, then and there acted as Coroner,
there being no Coroner of said county. The
following is the testimony of the witnesses
then and there examined before me:
David Mitchell being duly sworn, testified
as follows: | was out by the smoke house and
heard two pistol shots, and l saw Emmett
comming up the road; knew something was
wrong, and | started down and met him; he
said l shot Charley Griffith; asked him what
he done that for? He said, if handn't he
would have shot me; went on down and
found Charley lying in the road dead; the
horse standing by him; could not say whether
he fell off off the horse or not; took hold of
horse; brought it to Griffith's; told Crawford
Robinson Emmett had shot Charley; told him
to take the horse and tell Benjamin Loper;
then went back where Charley was lying, and
hallooed for Sheridan Hawthorne. and he
came and found him just as l found him; we
lifted him up and laid him on the roadside;
that was all we done until other neighbors
came. The above conversation relate is the
only one had with Emmett.
Sheridan Hawthorne being duly sworn de-
poseth and saith: The first | knew L heard
Mr. Mitchell hallooing; 1 answered; he said
come quick when got to him be said En-
NETT had shot Charley; when / got TO him
thought he was dead; lifted him up on the
bank; started for Ben Loper, and met him
coming; found Charley lying on his back and
shoulder, one hand down by his side; MIR
Mitchell said there was revolver in his
pocket; laid my hand on outside of pocket
and felt the revolver; the next persons to him
were Benjamin Loper and George Will
kinson.
Benjamin Loper being duly sworn, says:
When got there he was lying on his back
with his hand on his breast; took revolver
out of his pocket, all the chambers being
loaded; asked one to 20 with me and attempt
to arrest Mitchell.
The above depositioas of the said David
Mitchell, Sheridan Hawthorne and Benjamin
Loper, were reduced to writing by me: each
subscribed their respective depositions in my
presence. JoHE SIDRBOTTOM,
Justice of the Peace and for the time being
Coroner Of Belmont county, Ohio.
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