Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-03
A WILD MURDER
Committed by a Disreputabls Hag
In 6ilmer County.
A Reckless cyprian Knifes Woman on No
ProYocation-A Vile Nest of Bad
People 10 be Routed
Out.

From down in Gilmer county comes this
story of horrible murder, amid surround.
iDgs OF the viIest character. The crime was
committed by low woman upon another
that was one degree higher in the scale and
he weapon used was knife, specially pre-.
pared and shsrpened for the occasion. The
crime was committed on Cedar Greek, one
day last week. Mrs Phoebe Jane Thomp.
son was the nsme of the murderess and
Der reputation in the neighborhood is in
tenkely bad. In calling her a "soiled
dove" she is only given half her deserts.
The victim wss Mrs. Eliza F. Richardson,
Nbo also bore bad name, and the affair was
all around highly impure and unchasts.
CAUSE OF THE MURDER
Early in the week story was in circu'
lsuon in the neighborhood charging Mrs.
Thompson with stealing chickens. Toe
report was traced to little daughter Of
Mrs. Richardson, and this reached the ears
| of the Thompson woman. She took large
bowie knife and whetted it to fine edge,
swearing she would have revenge on Mrs.
Richardson. Then she sent her word to
come and see her. Mrs. Richardson went
over and as she approached the house she
was met al the door by Mrs. Thompson,
who accused her of putting the child up
| TO tell he," and without waiting for an
answer she struck Mrs. Richardson the
fatal blow. The wound was inflicted with
ANNIE HAVING DIRK BLADE.
! ..S tL1 iuUIslon was made in the right
breast, Immediately below the nipple. Az
| ter this blow was given Mrs. Richardson
| faced about, whereupon her assailant
| struck her several blows across the back,
however, only cutting through the cloth
| ing and not penetrating the desh.
Mrs. Thompson had two women with her
at the time and at this point they joined
tie melee, striking Mrs. Richardson with
clubs and stones and leaving her on the
ground for dead. She was found and taken
TO her home, where a physician examined
her and pronounced her case hopeless.
| Tie knife had penetrated clear through
| her body and death is certain.
The murder was soon known broadcast
| over; the county and Mrs. Thompson was
arrested and Jailed at Glenville, in default
| of 81, 900 bail. At a preliminary hearing
she tried the plea Of self-defense, admitting
the killing, but ii did not 60 down we'll.
In commenting on the murder, the Ores.
cent says.
For lergth OF time there has existed d
bad nest Of lewd persons thereabouts and
it appears as though the "soiled dove"
now in Jail for the cutting was the attrac.
tive hsg OF the ring. She was surrou lded
and encouraged bya
LOOSE, RECKLESS AND LGCENTIors PARTY
OF males and females who are q disgrace
and adherence to any community. Some
OF her followers are, We blush to say, men
OF family and respectfully connected. II
reports be true some OF the parties are now
guilty of heinous and debauching crimes
and 1t is to be hoped that the arrest of this
one of the gang will result in the arrest
and conviction Of others. 1t is asserted
that prior to this cutting many threats of
killing, &C., were made by the "soiled
dove" and her "pimps and bobtails." 1t is
also asserted that one OF her followers said
that "old Mrs. Richardson should die il he
had to kill her or have it DONE" Not only
is it claimed that such threats were made
by the "soiled cooer" but likewise by Mrs.
Richardson and her clan. The whole
"muss" is a mean one and we hope it will
receive a thorough airing in our Circuit
Court