The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-14

Edtor tqNey H2lYinla12:
1t has been very unjustly circulated
throughout this State that e. ID. Atchin-
son, (who was lynched in this county on
the morning of the 9Th of January, was a
man of marked intelligence-a good citi-
zen OF moral habits, and in short, a high
toned gentleman. Now for the benefit of
my county and its citizens, propose Civ
ing his historyto the best of my informa-
ton, since known in the county. The
first intelligence we have of e. ID. Atchin-
son. was in the summer of 1880. He came
to this county from parts unknown, and
hired to afarmer by the name Of Williams.
living on the eastern slope of Jack mount
ain. He remained there until the latter
part of the summer. Leaving there he
came to Jacks0n's River, about miles
south of Monterey, and took up lodging
in afamily by the name of HoWdyshell.
For some time after he came there, he
would neither sleep in the house nor travel
the public roads in daylight. In the spring
OF 81, he took one of Mrs. Howdyshell' s
daughters and went to Pocahontas county,
w. Va, where shortly afterWard they
were married. They had been married
but a short time when lie was arrested and
lodged in Pocahontas county jail, charged
with stealing horse. He remained there
for about twelve months, when he stood
his trial and was acquitted. During his
confinement in Jail his wife returned to
Highland, where she was still living at the
time of his acquittal. Immediately after
being released, he came back to Highland
to see his wife, who refused to live with
him or even talk to him, claiming he had
married her under an assumed name. lie
(AtchinsOn) told several parties that had
hl DOttnn tn hnr Ubi1a hic
were reused he would have shot her, but
would have been sorry for it after his pas
sions had subsidized. Some time after this
he went back to Back Greek, in this county
where he hired to run an engine attached
to a saw mill belonging to Gardner and
Ervine. During the time he was with the
mill he became intoxicated and taking
from the tool chest a large butcher knife,
Whetted it, saying he intended to cut the
id heart out of some boys who CHANGED
to be about the mill, but his employers
made him put the, knife up. He then
went to the house, got rifle gun and shot
at a young man by the name of Foster
who was employed at the mill. Shortly
after this he went to John Lightner's
store. for the purpose. as he said, of killing
Lightner, but Mr.. Lightner was warned
of his danger and kept behind his counter.
VII Giic Atbll VI hcCcluutI, litSb, llC Citllc W
the store OF Samuel ReXrode, where he
met Mr.. Ruckman, and without any
known prdvooation, stepped up to MI.
Ruckman and stabbed him in the breast
then going down the creek, told all whom
he CHANGED to meet, that he had cut Sid.
Buchanan s id heart out of him. After
he had been lodged in Jail, for the stab
bling, he told fellow prisoner that his
only PRAYER was that he might be eXtrica-
ted from that prison, so he could kill
seven men and one woman on Back Creek.
He told some three or four of the parties
who are accused of his lynching, that if he
ever got out Of Monterey jail he intended
to kill them. BY summing up his whole
career the best we can say of him is, that
he was a notorious desperado. Those par
ties who are ACCUSED Of lynehing Atehison
have always been considered as honest,
upright, law abiding citizens.
A CITIZEN.
Highland Co., Feb. 5th, 1884.
Richmond Wing please copy.