Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-24
HORRIBLE OUTRAGE.
Masked Burglars Put a Man to the
Torture
To EFFORT the Hiding Place Of His Money
Elijah karing the Netim---Burned
by Hot Oil and Hot lron---
The Red Men
0utdons,

Nomlug oUecuy Vn sHo A
Workanauer outrage, at the hands OF
masked burglars, is another, which entirely
exceeds it in horrors that seem incredible
here in this portion of the State. The at
fair occurred Yesterday morning, about
midnight or soon aztec. and the victim was
Elijah Marling, the well known bachelor
farmer living on Bethany pike. de IS
man of about 65 years, active and strong
for his age and owns the Ike Kelly farm
one of the finest in this county, lying near
that Of Aaron Kelly, in Liberty township.
He lives entirely alone, in n frame house
not fifty feet from the road, and his life is
entirely solitary one. He has been re-
garded as wealthy and misery, but entirely
inotfensiye and without enemies.
MORE HOODED HrGHwAYNEN.
Some time on Monday night perhaps
about 9 o'clock, the old man had gone to
bed, as usual, with his clothes on, and was
fast asleep. Suddenly a heavy post was
forced against the door, tearing it from Its
hinges, and three men sprang into the room,
at the same time waking Marling by shot
from q revolver. The men wore black
hoods, covering their entire faces, and hay-
ing openings for their eyes, so they were
completely disguised. At the noise Marling
woke, but before he could move he was
seized and oyerpowered and then tied TO
the bed By a stout cord. A gag made Of
bundle of cloth-not potato as reported
was thrust into his mouth, and he was
HELPLESS. The burglars searched his peck
cts and found SlS2.5O in bills and coin,
They evidently expected more, for thor,
ough search of the room was made. Every
thing vas opened, overturned and scattered
about The floor vas turned up and the
hearthslone removed, but not cent could
be found. A consultation was held and
the men demanded OF Marhng where he
kept his money. He declared he had none,
but they refused to believe ii and
RESOkIED 10 kbkAN VT,
A can Of pork grease was found sitting
by the FIRE. This was heated and poured
down Markings back, but it only drew cries
end continued denial from him. the
gag vas taken from his mouth and one Of
tie men said he knew Marling had received
a sum Of money, that day from a neighbor
ing farmer named Dawson, and they wanted
it. Marling said he had gotten 800. which
was included in the money they had found
in his clothes. The burglars would not be
Geve this and made another search of his
clothes and some boxes, but failed to find
anything. They then told the suffering old
man that they would h ave that money or
they would burn hell out Of him" He in
sisted, end probably with all truth, that he
had no money in the house. Upon this de-
NAL the rafhans proceeded to
HORRIBLE MEASURES.
The poker was thrust into the fire and
while it was heating, the clothing was
pulled from Markings back and thighs.
The hot iron was then taken out and used
as branding iron on his back, making
broad, long burn.
Will you tell US where your money is?
demanded the leader
Msrhng reiterated his former statement
and the horrible work was resumed. At
least twenty different burns were inflicted
ed the helpless and suffering farmer before
the incarnate fends seemed satisfied he was
speaking the truth. They threatened to
burn the house, BY means of the straw
pulled from the tick. and even did fire it,
but their most hellish work could not re,
veal money where no money existed. At
last, after three hours of torture, they gave
up and prepared to leave. In fit Of anger
enc ofthem struck Marllng over the head
with an AK handle, cutting cash and lesv-
ing him hanging halt insensible after
which the gang made off,
PITIABLE CONDITION.
Not until or 10 o'clock this morning
was the outrage discovered. At that hour
jacob Keller passed and heard groans. he
secured Mr.. Wharton, another neighbor,
and the pair entered the house. A pitisble