The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-12-23

Atilu gfoOh1
Editor Register.
The recent alleged tragedy on
Five Mile, in Arbuckle District, in
which the victim Is hanged up by
the neck for the purpose Of convey.
ing the idea Of suicide, calls 10
mind some Of the other crimes
which have occurred within the
county in times past. II is doubt
f0l II any county in The State can
present. a fairer escutcheon than
Mason, yet upon It are some crimes
which have an interesting history.
OF these the following is one: Since
lie occurrence a generation has
passed away and there are today,
doubtless, many Of your reader,
who never heard Of il, but other
who are nov old and grey, viii re-
call IL from the oblivion to which
II with many other "reminiscences
is being consigned.
In thesumuer Of 1856. there re-
sided on lands now belonging t.
William Gray Esq, Of Robinson
Districta Mt. BENZ. Stephens, fam
iliatly known as 'Little Ben" Ii
The autumn oftha. year, he resoly
ed TO go to The far West, and sold
bis farm, receiving nearly slOOC
cash in hand. Expecting to leave
for his western home in afew days
he retained this money in his pos
session placing II in a small trunk
which eat behind the front door o.
his residence, The writer then but
a small boy who lived with his par
ents in the immediate vicinity
was frequently at the home of Nj
s. and remembers we'll the position
and appearance Of the trunk.
A few days after the receipt o.
.rehe money, a man Of small stature
light complexion and genteel ap
pearance, called at the residence o.
Mr., Stephens and asked for dinner
stating that be was travelling ovel
the county looking for a farm tt
purchase. Having finished the re
past prepared for him, he insisted
upon paying for it but nothing
would be taken and be Departed
Several days later near the noon
hour, the same man again present
ed himself at the door Of Mr.. S. ant
stated that he wished to obtain an
other dinner and in no case woult
he receive it unless pay would be
taken, stating as a reason, that be
would not impose upon the hospital
ily of any gentleman. Mr.. S. sale
i've will make that all right" anC
invited him in; after dinner the
traveller presented a bill and Mr.. s
going to the trunk got the change
and retaining q few Cents, bandec
the man the balance, who then LEFT
having accomplished his object
that Of learning where the money
was kept
A short time after, a dreary driz
ely night passed away and Mr.. S
upon arising in the morning dis
covered that his front door was ajal
and a glance showed him that hi.
trunk had disappeared. At the
time Mr.. Isaiah Gibbs who died
some years since in your town
boarded with Mr.. S. and upon re
firing the previous evening placed
his pants in the pockets of which
we're fifteen dollars, on the trunk
They too, were gone, Mr., S. at
ones took in The situation. The
man who was SO conscientious thai
he would not accept a dinner with,
out paying for 1t had robbed him o.
his all.
He at once started posL.haste t.
Point Pleasant, where upon his ar.
rival he started the officers in pur.
suit Of the thief, offered a reward
for his arrest and had a personal
description printed which he sent
broad cas-! over West Virginia and
Southern Ohio. Days and weeks
passed by and brought no news Of
the apprehension Of the ostensible
land buyerf
On one of the early days Of De.
cembor a man walked aboard the
wharf.boat at Pomeroy, Ohio, and
stating to the wharf. master that be
was going to take a nap, requested
to be called for the FIRST steamer
When asked which way he wanted
to go he replied that he did moi
care a d-n which. He was soon
asleep on a pile of freight, aud the
wharfmaster thinking i. strange
that a man should be travelling
and moi nnrrinn which mnr b.