The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-01-28

SsadeHVlls Herald
Archer Mack was shot and instantly
killed by James Ritson, about hali.past
ten o'clock this morning at the Walker
House on North Third street, The fatal
shot came from MaCk's own revolver,
which he had Just loaned the murderer.
This makes the third murder case that
the coming Grand Jury will have to In
yestigate, and therei is no mystery sur
rounding 1t. It Is murder committed In
drunken frenzy by hitherto respect
able and hard working man,
James Ritson was given a preliminary
hearing before the Mayor this morning
about $3.50. The prisoner was brought
up by Marshal Scott and Officer Thomp-
son and took seat by his counsel, James
+. Daton. He was sober this morning,
aud his face betrayed that he had
wakened to a realization OF the awful
crime he had committed. He was merry.
GUS and appeared cognizant Of the fact
that he was guilty OF an unproyoked
cold.blooded murder. The affidavit
sworn to by Marshal Scott charged Rit.
son with murder In the first degree
Mr.. Daton entered plea Of not guilty,
and VIM, Walker was sworn, He said
that when he was called down by
Alexander he found in the bar room
Ritson, Mack and about dozen others
Ritson greeted him and wanted drinks
on the ground that he had no money
Ritson came around the end OF the bal
and asked him for a revolver. Walker
said he had none and then Ritson
asked Mack for revolver. Mack
said he had none with him, but
had one upstairs. Ritson wanted him Ia
get 1t and Mack went after 1t. Walker
went out and when he came back again
he saw Mack hand Ritson the revolver at
the bar. There were three men at the
bar and all soon after started for the door
saying they were going TO Brinkman's;
these three men were Ritson, Mack and
a stranger who Ritson said was friend
OF his. The next thing he saw was Rit-
son have two revolvers in his hands and
shot Mack III the face; Mack was only
about three feet away when the shoot
ing took place. Mack fell and Ritson
continued shooting until ten shots In all
were fired, two OF which were fired after
Walker had caught hold Of him. Mack
died instantly upon falling TO the floor,
Upon cross.examination by Mr.. Daton,
Walker said that there were present
in the house beside himself, Joseph
Jones, the cook; John Williams, work
ing at the Jefferson; James Wheat,
the celebrated foot racer; James Robin
son, railroad man working at Dins-
more John Cunningham, another rail-
roader living at Folks Station; John
Ryan, working for Miller 4 McKann
Jack Clark, working at Miller's tunnel
near Mt. Pleasant; Jack Copeland, work.
ing at Folks or Dinsmore, and there
we're several others who were working
either at Dinsmore or on the Wheeling
& Lake Erie. Mack was from some
place in Virginia, but came 10 Steuben.
vile from Columbus; he had worked on
the railroad at the Laurel Hill tunnel.
He came here about seven months ago.
AT Columbus he had been porter at q
hotel near the state house. He was
illiterate and could not read or write,
Walker acting as his Secretary. lie was
a laborer by occupation and was q sort
OF a sporting man, playing cards. This
concluded the hearing and the Mayor
committed the prisoner TO jail on the
charge Of murder In the first degree 10
await the action Of the grand jury.