Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-04-16
IT WAS NOT DOWELL.
AN INNOCENT NAN CHARGED WITH THE
WESTON MURDBRBR'S CRIME.
Brought Back 10 Town Only 70 be hculpatsd-A
Strange Misiaks-Ths West Virginia Au-
thorhes Imposed Upon-Ths Man
IenneSseean.
snscinl r.l,nnn 10 ne Rsnlar.

eptclL lttcQTCia 70 uic htgicttT,
WESTON, W. VA, April 15.-For the
past week, the town has been in a tumult
of excitement over the reported arrest, at
Grand Forks, Oak, of Richard Dowell,
the murderer of John r. West and son,
concerning whom the REGISTER has here
tOfore published an account. Two weeks
ego TO day T. G. DswsOn and NJ. ]. Casey
were dispatched to Grand Forks with
rsquisition paDers from Governor Wilson.
There seemed to be no doubt in the minds
of our people that the prisoner awaiting
Identification was Dick Dowell, and his re-
turn to Weston has been anxiOusly looked
for.
The evening train brought him, and he
was given a very cordial reception at the
depot by several hundred people. Every
precsutlon had been taken to make his re-
capture secure, and six men we're employed
70 guard the Jail A private vehicle was
in waiting to convey him TO the Jail, aud it
was with difficulty that the eager crowd
was kept at bay sufficiently long TO allow
him TO get off the train, but he did go, and
the unanimous exclamation Of the people
was that it was not D0well. Everybody was
conclusively convinced OF the very grave
mistake that had been made, and
sympathy for the wrOngsd maa was to be
found on every hand. No one could longer
entertain the belief that he was DOwell
He was taken to jail where ne was visited
By large number of people. After supper
a REGISTER reporter visited the jail and
obtained the following information:
The mans name Is John Shelton. he Is
native of Granger county, Tenn, and IS
81 years old. He has worked in the pine
forests of Dakota for several winters, and
At the time of his arrest he was employed
in the stock sale barn of HoOd Bros, at
Grand Forks. He wgs feeding
horses, when Chief Of Police Hen
Messy visited him and told him
that he was wanted on account Of trouble
in the South. He did not resist arrest but
repeatedly asked on Whist charge he was
arraigned, and wss greatly surprised when
informed. 1t seems that young West
Virginian named Davis, who was also
working for the same firm swore that he
was DOwell. Mr.. Shelton says that he
had not seen Davis for several months and
bad been in the city only five days when
arrested.
Davis was quite young when he left
West Virginia, ard it is hardly likely that
be would bave known DOwell if he were to
see him. However, he wrote to his father
in this county that the man charged with
being D0well was not he and then swore
that he was This letter will be read IN
behalf of the prisoner. 1t will only be
short time until he will be liberated, and
he has q multitude OF sympathizers and
friends who will render him any assist
ance necessary. He has an honest, bright
and intelligent countenance He IS as
much unlike Dowell rs night and day.
Mr.. Shelton says ne felt little uneasy
about his safety in coming into strange
country charged with so terrible crime,
but the people have treated him very kind
ly and he apprehends no trouble When
asked what action he would take upon be-
ing liberated he replied that if our State
would return him to Grand Forks and pay
him for the time be had lost he would H.
stitute no proceedings This Is very
mild and reasonable request and should by
all means be granted. He will. probably
bring suit against the Territory for up
wards Of $50, 600.