West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-09-17
THE MURDER CASE.
Trial of James Welch for Killing His
Wife.

Inc princlpal SUIT or this term OF
Circuit Court has been the trial OF
James NJ. Welch OF Newburg, for
the killing of his wife, Celia Welch
as alleged in the indictment brought
by the Grand Jury in March last.
On the night of the 10th of last
March the town of Newburg was
thrown into considerable excitement
by the report that q murder had
been committed. The defendant
in this case was the first to make it
known. lie had aroused the neigh
bors and told them that his wife
was dead and upon Investigation it
was found to be too true. She was
found lying on the floor at her home
dead and with her head aud face
beaten almost into jelly. A brick
was found on the bed with which
the work was accomplished. Her
husband was at once arrested as be-
ing the perpotrator OF the deed.
He was brought to Kingwood and
lodged in Jail where he has remain
ed ever since. The Grand Jury
in session next week after the MUIR
der, returned an Indictment for
murder against Welch and the case
came up for trial last Thursday.
The following jury was sworn in
and found to be properly at allied
70 serve :-Charles G. Stone, Rich
ard Fields George G. Shaw, Jacob
+. " hite, b. Il. Conley, Samuel
Freeland, Marshal Morgan, James
IL. Braham, Cass Stcmplc. Henry
Frankhouser, a. ". Albright and
Leroy Duckalew,
Quite a numDor of witnesses were
examined for the prosecution and
the evidence was pretty strong
against the prisoner. The follow
were the witnesses for the State
Mrs. James Cliugan, Miss
Louisa Mitchell. Eugene Huggins,
John a. Perrill, ID. j. Gibson, Dir.
A. w. Shaw, DR.. Il. +. Lanham,
S. w. Messenger, DIR. j. S. Posten,
j. j. Talbot, Mrs. Mary Grimes,
ID. r. Jackson, N. j. Fortney, j.
w. Watson, and DR.. Tom Edwards
and DR.. Trippett were examined as
experts. There were not so many
witnesses for the defense and some
that were summoned were not
examined while some were used by
the State also. The witnesses were
as follows Drs. Posten, Lanham.
Shaw and Trippett, T. NJ. Clayton,
George o. Albright, G. H. Smoot,
and the prisoner James NJ. Helcb.
ID. j. Gibson was summoned
from Shippensburg, Pa, George
Albright from Cincinnati and DR..
Shaw from OPP OH the Vest Va.
Central r. r. as witnesses in the
case. The examination of the wit
nesses was finished Saturday even
ing.
Monday the case was argued by
N. J. Fortney for the State and p.
j. Crogan for the defense. Both
Attorneys acquitted themselves
we'll States Attorney Fortnev
spoke about four hours i'm summing
up the evidence and law i'm the case.
Mr.. Crogan spoke p hours and the
State closed in a speech of an hour.
Tuesday the Jury received the
instructions Of the Court and got
the case about eleven o'clock.
They came in at half past two with
verdict Of "Mmurder in the First
Degree" and that the Prisoner be
confined for life in the Penitcntiary.
Counsel at once moved for new
trial and argued the case yesterday
morning. The Judge took the
matter under consideration.
After reading the evidence the
Judge refused q new trial and SEN
fenced the prisoner for life, in ac-
cordance with the verdict Of the
Jury. His counsel will probably
take vt TO tho Supreme Court.