Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-01-22
MODEL REPUBLICAN OFFICIAL.
Tas Story of the Persi,tsnt Attempts to
TSUi HaEor.

Toe Story OF tho Persi,tsnt Attempts to
KUI HaEer.
special Tslegraui 10 ne Register.
CHARLESTON, W. VA, January 21.-
Il is pretty nearly time, in view of the
desperate attempts Of the Republican press
of the State to make capital for their party
or excite sympathy for one of Marshal
Whites deputies, 20 tell the truth con-
csrniDg the repeated attempts to shoot
James o. Hsger. Three times since his
appointment to Office have attempts been
made upon Hsger's life. Of this there is
no doubt. But there is a doubt that
the persistent attempts to kill
bin grow ont OF the fact
that he is a Republican official charged
with the enforcement of laws against il
iicit distillers, etc. From time to time,
the Republican press Ct the State has
fought to convey this latter impression,
the attempt carrying with it the assump-
ticn that the people Of Wyoming and ad-
Joining counties we're of an extremely and
exceptionally lawless disposition, ano
were ready to shoot down any man IN
government service who attempted to do
his duty and enforce the laws
The attempts to kill off HaQar have
nothing whatever 10 do with his official re.
lations to the government, bat rest en-
tirely upon the charges made by the peo-
PIE of Wyoming and adjoining counties
against his personal character and alleged
violation of law. The frat attempt on
bis life was made few days sfter his ap-
pointment to Office by Marshal White.
Hagar had gone to his home in Wyoming
county, from this city, and the following
morning. about dsylight, he went out TO
the barn. Returning, he was fired on
from some bushes, one of the balls taking
effect. He managed to crawl into the
house aud obtain his gan, but was too
weak to use it, aud tainted. He was hard
b I. and lay in precarious coalition for
several weeks The people of the county
were denounced for this, it being alleged
that the shooting was the work OF moon
sinners, who sought to remove Hsgar as
a man who would break up their business,
etc.
When Hager got out, he WAS passing
through Raleigh county, and stopped at
the house of friend for supper. While
they we're eating, supper several shots
we're fred into the room, and Hager's BODY
stopped several of the bullets. Again 1t
was asserted that the criminal element OF
the lower counties were determined to kill
him, and when he made his appearance IN
this city, the fact that he carried seven
bullets 10 his body WAS heislded all over
the county, and he was held up as model
officer determined to do his duty, although
murderers were constantly on his trail.
No third attempt to kill Hager was
made in Wyoming county. About the first
of the year his horse was killed snd Hager
received q bullet in his foot This brought
out the same old story.
The fact is, that the people Of the lover
counties have no fault to find with Hager
because he is government officer, bat
they are acquainted with his private char
acter, and are convinced that sooner or
later he will get justice.
On the second day of January Jordan
NJ. Mckinney, deputy sheriff Of Wyoming
county, arrested Hsgsr on warrants charg
ing him, first, with rapirg the ten-year olo
daughter Of John Csdle and with threat
ening 20 murder Lucy l. Osdle. These
warrants we're placed in the hands Of Dep
uty Sheriff Mckinney, and be arrested
Hsger and put him in the custody Of tso
guards while be went 10 summon witness
es on behalf of the State. The gusrds set
cui for the Office Of the Justice, before
whom the preliminary examination was
70 have been held, but on The
way they hsltei in a gap Of
the bills. while there, and while
Hsgo, who bad dismouD,e5, was standing
besiie his borse, a volley was fred from
she h-ush not far Of The borse wss
KILLED. Hassr started 10 run, ard was
sioi ihrough tie foot. He was taken 70
his home hy TIE guards. and At last &C
c,uuts vas still there, under medical
treatment
I,is bat Just to The public Of Wyoming
and sdioinirg counties that these facts Be
printed. that the missppreheusion caused
hy publications In Repubiican papers De
removed.