Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-20
A MURDER RECALLED
4 PECULIAR DISPATCH FROM NASSIIL0y 0, 10
PARKRRSBURG AUTHORITIES
Which Viii Probably b the Caass OF IN
sarthing Several Murders and Other
Crimes at Parkersburg and VOLCANO
The Watkins Mystery.

PARKERsBURG, W. Va, December Ia.
A dispatch just received by the Chief Of
Police Of this city from Massillon, Ohio,
will probably be the cause of unearthing
several murders and other crimes which
occurred in this city and at Volcano sew.
eral years since. The dispatch reads as
follows:
WAS man named Fred Watkins mur-
dered near Volcano several years since,
and was q child murdered and property
stolen in house in Parkersburg about the
same timer Ifso, Lucy Berry, the woman
who committed the crimes, is here.
Signed, IDA PrIrER."
In the winter of 1880 81 Fred Watkins,
q highly respected, educated gentleman,
was in the employ or in partnership with
Gilman & Co., oil men al Volcano Wet
kins was married man, with q beautiful
wife and children. He was, unfortunate
", addicted to drink, and one evening
about New Year Of lSsl he started from
Mike Beans store somewhat inebriated.
Watkins did not arriveat home that night,
and his family and friends becoming alarm
ed search was made for him. Unfortu-
nately heavy snow had fallen, covering
the ground to the depth Of foot or more.
and the search, which was kept up for sew
eral days, proved unayailing. Several
days or weeks later, upon the disappear
ance of the snow,
HIS BODY WAS FOUND
in glen about two hundred yards from
his home The body showed signs Of In
iurics sufficient to change the belief that he
had been frozen 10 death into suspicion
OF murder. His wife, lady Of unini-
peachable character, was suspected by some
to have committed the crime, although
there were no circumstances pointing 10
her guilt
At last the matter died out and was
dropped from the memories Of all but Wat
kins' family and friends There was at
the time living in the ncighborhood n
handsome woman named Lucy Berry,
whose character was not above reproach,
but her name had not been associated with
the crime so tar rs can learn. Upon receipt
of the dispatch the affair has returned
fresh to the memories Of those cognizant ot
the circumstances, and many actions and
suspicious circumstances are now brought
TO the recollection which point in the direc-
ton of her guilt.
In addition TO this affair il is said that
this Lucy Berry came TO this city
about the time referred TO and stopped
with
FAST FEMALE
named Spencer in the lower part Of the
city. Shortly after her appearance here 10
watch was stolen from a man by the name
of DIR. Dover. believe. The doctor was q
man old enough to have known better,
but IL seems that when full of whisky he
went TO this house and remained over
night with colOred prostitute named Sal
johnson. The next day he complained Ia
the police Of having been robbed of his
watch and $50 in money. johnson was ar
rested and tried. She denied having COM
mitted the crime, but always said she
knew who did it. She was committed 70
Jail and relcastd after several months i'm.
pris0nment,
Now follows
THECRIME
mentioned in the telegram. One OF the
Spencer girls, Kate, ! believe, gave birth
TO q child which lived for some time, ap-
parently healthy and sound, but one
morning IL was reported 20 have died.
There was nj the time n suspicion OF foul
play, but nothing was done 10 ascertain
the facts and no arrests were made The
Berry woman was staying with the
Spencer crowd at this time, but shortly
after disappeared and has not been heard
Of since until the receipt Of the telegram.
The Spencer woman is still living 10 the
neighborhOod in one of the mis-
erable house-boats somewhere along tho
river. There is no doubt IN the minds Of
the authorities that the arrest Of the par
ties above mentioned will lead 10 the dis
closure Of the murders above mentioned.
and perhaps several other horrid crimes Of
like nature which have been enyelopcd in
mystery for years. The authorities are
making diligent efforts to-day 10 get mat
ters into such shape that all parties known
10 have been connected with these crimes
shall be arrested before they have time or
Opportunity 10 escape.