Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-24
HOW HE DIED.
DETAILS OF TIE KILLING or WILSON BRANCH
BY MARTIN PHELPS
-Four Shots Er.d-Branch Hopes With Phelps
Wiie-gensral News From the
Interior Counties.

The Huntington Advertiser gives the
following details of the killing OF. Will
son Branch by Martin Phelps, brief
mention of which has been made in The
REGISTER:
"a man who was himself noted as the
slayer of several men was, Friday
evening shot dead by the man he had
wronged. Martin Phelps shot Wilson
Branch four times through the body on
Racoon creek in Barboursyille district,
of this county.
"Just week ago Branch eloped with
the pretty 22-year old wife OF Phelps.
The couple came down to Guyan-
dotte and remained for week,
when money began to grow
scarce, and Branch compelled the
woman to return home, in order that he
could get money, secure her clothes,
ETC., and they would go to housekeeping
up in the country. The woman OBJ
jected to this arrangement She was
willing to remain away, though regret
ting her action, and said if she did re-
turn to the neighborhood from where
they had come that she would go to her
husband. Branch, however, insisted
that they return and live together, and
she finally consented.
Yesterday evening they drove up to
the home of Phelps, who Is a prosperous
farmer, and furnished nice and COM
Portable home to the little woman in
whom he always had so much confidence
and whose life together had always been
a happy one until Branch came into the
neighborhood and succeeded in winning
the affections of the hitherto true and
loving wife.
arrived at the house Branch walked
up to the door, and meeting Phelps de-
maaded everything that belonged toMrs.
Phelps. Each OF the guilty couple was
much surprised when Phelps quietly an
swered that they could have all her be-
longingsand he would have them hauled
TO any place they intended to live. The
wronged man said that never had man
loved woman more than he had his
wife, but she had killed all that affec-
tion by her elopement and that she was
welcome to remain with the man who
had caused her downfall.
Branch seemed determined to have
a,fght about the matter. Phelps had
not received him as he had expected,
and he was considerably taken aback,
and then proceeded to push quarrel on
the man by Offering him all manner of
insult.
"All this time the woman remained
quiet, not saying word and not being
spoken to by either man, but spoken OF
by both with every sentence.
"Finally Branch said, "I'll just kill
you for luck" and suiting action with
word drew his revolver, but Phelps was
the merest portion of time too quick for
MIN. Phelps drew his pistol and fired,
the ball taking effect in the abdomen.
Branch dropped his and started to run,
but the other man fired three more
shots, each one taking effect. Branch
dropped dead in his tracks.
"Pheps walked back into the house
and the woman drove to her fathers
home, who lived but short distance
away.
"Phelps was not arrested. The peo-
pie in the neighborhood soon learned all
the particulars of the homicide and
their conclusion was that the man was
thoroughly justified in his action. He
not only killed Branch in self-defense,
but there were other aggravating cir
cumstanceS connected with the case
which offered many excuses to Phelps.
"Wilson Branch is the man who shot
the Chapman boys in Lincoln county
some time ago, case which excited
great interest at the time. He suffered
no penalty for the offense, which en-
boldened him so much that his presence
in a community was almost unbearable.
Mrs. Phelps has always been considered
a woman above reproach of suspicion,
and how man like Branch ever sue
ceeded in an intimacy with her is diff
cult to contemplate.
'Phelps is not quite 30 years old and
is a highly respected citizen, well known
here and all over the county"
OTHER STATE NEWS.
A man giving his name as w. A. Huff
stopped at Peterstown, Monroe County,
recently claiming to represent a tele-
i Il -