The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-08-06
James Smith. Who Killed .hree Peo-
pie, at Last Located.


Readers Of the HFRsLD will remember the
socouns published In these columns of a
brutal triple murder committed by a negro
at the western approach Of the Allegheny
Mountain tunnel on the South Penn L. K.
several years ago, when contractor Chas.
McFadden was pushing that work. The
negro lad a shanly near the work, where he
re,ailed original packages 70 the pit hands
and during a row. frequent occurrence at
that place at the time. shot three men and
made his escape Little or 20 effort was
made on the part Of the authorities to run
the criminal down and nothing more was
heard Of him in these paris, until the follow
ing article appeared in the Pittsburgh Tims
of last Thursday
James Smith. colored man, who killed
three companions on the night of september
q. 1854, near the Allegheny Mountain Tun-
mel Somerset county, has been located Al
Fort Smith, Arkansas.
some time ago Inspector McAieese re-
ceiyed letter from John K Dyer, OF Fort
SmiIh asking If James Smith was wanted in
Pittsburgh Tor murder committed several
years ago. The records were being exam
ined by Inspector McAleese and Coroner
Mcdowell one day IN the Court House. when
Detective d. H. Giikinson. Of Giikinsons
Detective Bureau came along and the case
was mentioned 70 him lie knew Of the case
Immediately because he had had tive OF his
men working on another case az the scene of
The murder wien il occurred. AT the time
big contractor named McFadGen was doing
work az the tunnel and had about ] co men
in his employ. The sale Of liquor 20 the
men greatly retarded work. Men under the
guise Of boarding house keepers followed
tie CAMPS and sold liquor 70 the men.
When pay day would come the workmen
would get drunk and fight for days and
nights. To stop this McFadden called Mr..
Giikinson's services into reqgisision he
sent Two Of his fnen, one Of them being p.
J. Murphy. lately eonstabie for Police Mag
issrate Gripp but row again with the elk
inson agency, 10 get evidence against the
illegal iquor sellers They went to work
Ike the other employees and gave the au-
fhorities evidence TO convict Il was while
they were there the murder occurred Smith
was light-coiored negro, who bad pretty
wife. He and number OF negroes get 10
fighting that night Of September 2, Iss4-
and smith, drawing a revolver, shot Blue
Ben. s negr0. dead Then he got a shot
gun and killed mar named Johnston and
another negro. Murphy was close by AZ the
time. bat could not show his band because
Of the other work ne was engaged in. and TO
sav he was an officer would have knocked
out the plans for the extinction Of illegal
Hauor selling. Smith got away and. il is
sad. went TO Louisville, his native place
His wife soon after packed up her possessions
and left with another man The murder
created great excitement at the time Mr.
Gilkinson Offered TO find Smith for the SOM
crset officials. butthey did not bother about
the case
smith and the murder faded away from
the minds Of the people until the letter was
sent from Fort Smith. Detective Giikinson
Is positive that Smith Is st Fort Smith.
The answer to the letter from DYER was %
be directed to the county jail. The Sheriff
or keeper Of the jail tried TO work sharp
trick, having gotten hold of pointer on the
case and Wruse to Pittsburgh officials in
stead of TO the Somerset county officials,
wanting 10 know IL there was a reward Tor
Smiths arrest. as be could get him. How
eyer. even If he bad written to The proper
officials. il would not have done him any
good, as the District Attorney of Somerset
oouniy has written TO Detective Gilkinson.
saving that too much time has elapsed for
the prosecution OF the case. as mos Of the
wit5eesss had probably leff the neighbor-
hood long ago. Smith, If he IS a free man
now in Port Smith. viii continue to enjoy
bis liberty.