Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-23
TRYING THE MINGo MURDERERs.
A Dreadful State OF Affairs Dis
closed,
SD,ei1l 10 the RaoiSty.

A Dreadful state of Affairs Dis
closed,
Spoeial to The Re9iStv.
MlSGo, O., February 22.-Todsy the
preliminary examination Of George Eskey
George Brown, Benjamin O. Batch, George
alias Snapper" Rupp, and James Higgins
the FIVE men arrested for the murder Of
Charles Hall, was held in the Mayors Of
fee, before his honor, Mayor Stevens. The
State was represented by Prosecuting At
torney Henry Gregg, assisted BY W, r.
Hays, E.q, Of Steubenville. John McClare
and James F. Dayton were appointed to
defend the prisoners, but Dayton was de-
tanned at home on account Of illness. Ihe
room was besieged by an anxious crowd
but guard at the door kept the crowd IL
side down to respectable dimensions. Quite
a number of witnesses were called, but the
prosecution evidently wishing to hold all
the accused, used only such testimony as
to show that all were there
at the time the shooting was done rather
than TO End the one who had used the re-
vo!ysr with deadly result. The testimony,
however, showed that Hall had heard some
oue at his chicken coop and in the trees In
his back yard, and had gone out to try to
frighteu them away when one ofthem shot
him with thirty-two cslber, long range
bull dog revolver. He was STOPPING down
locking under the lower rail OF grape
arbor when rbe shot was fired, it taking
eject in tie point Of his left shoulder and
the bullet being found twenty inches away,
it having passed entirely through one lung
and lodging in the abdomen in the lower
part. The accused in company with Pat.
rick Nary aud William Roe were found on
the Light OF the occurrence in the back
part of Rupps house hiding. A revolver
answering tie description necessary to con,
meet it with the bullet found In old
man Hall was found on the person OF
James Higgins and another and smaller
ole in posse ssion of George Eskey. Mrs.
Rupp got up on the same night and COOK
ed the chickens and prepared q meal TOR
the accused who was found in the house
by the officers early the same morning
Inc Mayor, after the taking OF the testi.
mouy, held the prisoners in the sum OF
81, 900 each, 10 appear ct ths next term OF
court. Sheriff John Burris and Marshal
Flnrey, Of Steubenville, took them to that
place tor safe keeping in the county jail
till they could be given trial.
Court meets in regular session in April
but It is probable that Q special term will
be held to accommodate the prisoners.
There is much speculation as to why Roe
and Marry were released when toun6 in
company with those who were held BY the
investigation. 1t is thought by many that
the prosecution wishes tc prove BY them,
the man who actually did the shooting
and he's released them under promise
to testify at the trial, OF least
there is much evidence which was not
taken, and it is probable that the trial will
bring out many more details. The entire
crowd are considered bad men with the
exception Of Higgins, who came from
Portland aud was nsilieeder in the juno
ton mill. He boarded With a respectable
family and went in rood company, and IS
supposed to have been led asusy By the
rest while drunk over the scsle signing.
o Batch and Eskey were formerly residents
OF Benwood and Brown was Wheeling
man. Rupp at whose door the crime is
laid, has lived in MoundsVille, Wheeling,
Wellsburg and several other places In
each neigkborhood be was known as
slick petty thief, and in MiDgo ne is re-
ported to have lsd worse career than
elsewhere. He is a man thirty eight years
old, with FIVE children, ard was at one
time CITY Marshal all the others, except
Higgins, are minors and have relatives in
the vicinity.
The thieYing in this neighborhood has
been something wonstrous. During the
past six mo ths it is asserted that no less
than 5000 chickens have been stolen, be.
sides small hogs, sheep and even calves
These different kinds Of plqudeF were
dressed and sold in Steutenyille and
Wheeling. and the organized band OF
thieves piled their vocation in skitts at
night between Steubenville and Brilliant
making almost nightly raids on the farm
ers. 1t was common occurrence tor one
man TO loose % or lUU chickens In SIN
gle night, and one day after a singularly
successful raid l40 dressed chickens were
found in the garra, OF one mans house.
, Mr.. Charles Hall, toe unfortunate VIC
/ tim, was buried in New Alexander, FIVE
miles distant, yesterday. The funeral was
largely attended and much sympathy was
expressed for the griet stricken family.
An Ex-senator Implicated.
New YoRE, February 22.-In speaking
of the reported capture of the steamship
City of Mexico, yesterday Consul Genera
Baiz, of Honduras, said: Il have as ye
received nc tCrther news in regard to it
bat do no. doubt the truth oil tie report
think, however, that the Galena is no
with the City Of Mexico, bat that priz:
crew are taking the captured vessel to key
West. She is probably short OF coal anC
is coming up slowly. | have evidence
which will convict every one connected
with the fitting ont Of the expedition. l
has Ueen suggested 10 LIE thst su ex'Sen
stor OF the United States is fzrnishin:
u A.