Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-05-18
KANAWHA CRIMES.
The Confession Of Charles SpurIock,
One Of the Notorious "Jesse
lanes" Gang of Cutthroats.
They Read the Lives of Jesse James
and the Younger Brothers and
Took Them as Models.
The Object of the 0rganization---
Some of the Crimes Committed
by Members of the Band.
Spcriai 10 tie Register.

CHARLESTON, May 1.-THE numerous
acts Of lawleSsness committed in this and
adjoining counties during the past three or
four years, many OF which were mysterious,
are about to be traced to their real source.
The killing of the Hill boys and the two
SpurlOCks has contributed to this end.
One of the infamous gang, Charles Spur
lock, is now in Jail in this city and has made
a confession of his connection with the
robber band 1t is believed that he knows
and will soon reveal more minutely the
workings and crimes of the organization.
The father of Young SpurlOck came to this
city and offered himself to the officers, but
there was no charge against him and he
was allowed to go. Permission was granted
and the old man called on his son.
The Meeting.
He walked with nervous air to the win
dow of the cell The meeting was a sad
one. The prisoner without being able to
speak. put his hand through the bars and
graSped that of his father and then, resting
his head against the wall, cried like a child
90 Charlie cried the old man, his eyes
mOiStened with tears. IF yOu had listened
to the advice of your old father you would
not he here. begged YOU not to keep com
pany with the Hill boys; | told you what
they would bring YOU to- and now You see
that was right
The prisoner did not look up, but buried
his face in his hands and SObbed in most
plteOuS manner.
The interview between the two men lasted
but short time, and the old man went
away, promising to return soon, and bidding
his boy hope for the best.
The Confession.
The band to which the Hills, DobSon and
Spurlock belonged consisted of twenty-five
cut throats bound together by fearsl oaths
and blOOd-drinking covenant to rob, mur.
der and plumber, and their headquarters ap-
pear to have been at William Spurlock'S
house, the father Of Charles. The skull
and croSs-bOnes was bazOned on their ban
ner and murder and robbery their paStime.
SpurIock In the Witness Box.
|, Charles SpurlOck, was born in Lincoln
County, Virginia, now West Virginia, on
Green ShOales Creek. near Guvandotte
River, on the 18th dav of March 1869. NV
fathers name is William SpurlOck, son of
Eli, both of whom are now living on Mud
River, in Lincoln County Nv father mar
ried Catherine Lucas, daughter of Charles
and Lucinda Lucas. and nine children were
the fruit of the marriage, two of whom are
dead.
At the age of 22 married Diontha
Hagar. daughter of Silas Hagar, aud sister
to my brother-in-law, Vim. Hsgar, in Au-
gust. lSSl. BY the marriage one child was
born which l. now three years old.
Prior To nv marriage | had au intrigue
with cousin of nv wife Dicey Hagar the
result of which imprudence was fine boy
which the law compelled me to take charge
of Nv wife has possession of the child
and seems greatly attached to it.
Before nv marriage | resided with my
father on his farm and was member of the
Northern Methodist church for sin years
and attended services regularly. After my
marriage lived Il happy life with nv wife
ALWAYS at home ur at church-nevcr uSei
any whisky of note-never played carlS
One day was attending church and diff
Guilty arose between some wild fellows i'll
attendance, and being church member
took hand to settle it, which we did-Our
preaching ceased.
Brownlow and scott Hill.
have known BrOwnlOw and Scott hlll
about nine years. They had home with
their mother. GinSey Hill, their father being
dead They rOved about good deal aud
often made my fathers house their stopping
place We were intimate. first learned
! f.h
particulars about the crimes he had perpe-
trated He made me his cOnhdant about
many things. among which was the murder
of peddlrr ON Island creek, in Logan
county. taking from him gold watch, a lot
of iewelry, and his pack, and about twenty
two dollars in money. The peddler was
alone when killed, and Scott Hill said he
took his body and rolled it in the bushes
near the road told him that he had done
very wrong,
Shortly after this Scott and Brownlow
shot five steers belonginging to Mr.. Hop
kinS from some malicious motive. Scott
Immediately afterwards robbed an old man
named Keck of 80 in money and during
all this time my fathers house was their
resting place. u.
knew nothing OF the shooting OF ADKINS
until after it was done was absent from
home when Scott Hill and Dobson started.
On Hills return he told he that they hal at
tackled Sheriff Adkins and shot him.
Brownlow Hill was at my house when
the shooting occurred and remained
until Scott returned They then made a
plot for the purpose of rObbing Woods and
his soa. begged them not to do so but
they would not listen to me. | was afraid
of them. They were excellent shots with a
pistol and as brave as lions. They have
often tried to persuade me to go west with
them and engage in train aud bank rob
bing. They had copy Of the life Of the
James bows and Younger brothers which they
often read as we'll as myself For the past
two wears ceased going to church and fell
into the hands OF ;he Hin boys and liked
their company but not their ways. Ny wife
often begged me to tear myself away from
them or thew would get me into trouble
| wish | had taken her adTice, tor now |
see where they have brought me. am now
in the hands Of the law, and ask that may
receive Justice