Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-19
AN AWFUL CRIME.
A MCDOWELL COUNTY WIFE AND her
LOVER GUILTY.
The husbands Head Split With An Axe AID
the Widow Marriss the Murderer.
Other Crimes and Casualties.

Other Crimes and Casualties.
A murder OF the most horrible kind
occurred in Mcdowell county, about
month ago, and the murderer mar
ried the widow three weeks after
the killing. Joe Black and wife,
Maggie, lived in the western part
of the county, with their one child,
boy Of IL years, named Henry. All went
well with them, living the life OF 4
mountain farmer, with no cares TO cause
sorrow, until John James, stranger
from Virginia, appeared in the neigh
borhood, and settled on the adjoining
farm to them. 1t was only short time
until he had formed the acquaintance
of the Blacks, and he was considered
one of the friends of the family. The
husband had not the least sus-
picion that things were not
as they should be, as he
had no cause, as he thought, TO think
that his wife was unfaithful. Such was
not the case. however, as future events
proved The frequency OF his visits to
the Blacks house soon became the talk
of the neighbors, but no one dared TO
tell Mr.. Black Of the gossip, and so he
was not warned Of the trouble brewing.
1t seemed as though Mrs. Black and
the stranger had fallen in love at first
| sight, and, as she encouraged him, he
proposed that they elope; she being
afraid her husband would follow and
kill them, refused, but said that II he
(JameS) would put him out of the way
she would marry him. He consented and
plans were laid for the murder. Henry
was sent to visit an uncle some distance
| from home, and upon the appointed
night James. came over TO spend the
evening. After sitting awhile James went
outside TO get drink, and when he re-
turned brought the AK with him. Black
was sitting with his back to the door
when James brought the sharp edge OF
the AK down upon his head with terrific
torce, splitting his head open. Black
died instantly. and his body was buried
in a ravine near by. Mrs. Black gave
out that her husband had deserted her,
which was thought very strange by the
neighbors, as he had always appeared
very fond of his wife. However, aS no
signs of him could be found, nothing
was done about il. Just three weeks
after the murder James and Mrs. Black
were married. Much Indignation was
expressed by the murdered mans re-
| lativeS at her early marriage, and
search was instituted for the missing
man, which resulted in finding his body.
Upon the return of the searchers it
was found that the guilty pair had flown.
Pursuers started after them and sue
ceeded in capturing the woman, but the
man escaped, and has not been heard OF
up to date.
Mrs. Black confessed, but does not
seem TO be sorry the deed was COM
mitted, but only sorry it was found out.
Should James be captured Judge Lynch
will probably try his case, and verdict
of guilty may be expected. The SEN
tence Of death will be passed and the
execution will take place without any
cost to the State. and with but little
trouble.
Last Wednesday morning Detective
Robertson went into house Oh the
Grocer works, Mcdowell county, in
which lived Alex. Coins and woman
named Carrie Brown, both colored, and |
ordered them as trespassers To leave the |
premises. To this Coins entered de- |
INJURED by drawing his pistol and shoot |
ing Robertson in the right side, striking /
rib, following it and out on the same |
side, in1cting painful but not serious
flesh wound. Robertson then returned
fire, diScharging four chambers OF his
revolver, which resulted in the death
OF Coins. Mr.. Robertson managed TO
get home in his wounded condition,
and expects TO be out again in few
days.
A distressing accident in which
young woman lost her life, occurred at
Duckworth Summit. Doddridge county, 4
Wednesday morning. As the eastern
bound accommodation train was turning Il
the curve at the east end Of the cut near
the watchman'S house. il struck young
lady by the name OF Hanley, killing her
instantly. IL appears that she was en-
deavOring TO cross the track, a. the en-
gineer said she vas trying to get on the
track when he saw her, but was so close
he could not stop his train. The young
lady was a sister Of the Waterman and
was about 80 or 80 years Of age.
Report Of sad case Of accidental
shooting in Roaring Creek district
reached here last week Two Of James
Ryan's boys were hunting. One of them
was tramping over a brush fence TO
scare out cartridges which were sup
posed TO have hidden under II. The
other was standing near by holding the
gun, when in some accidental way the
gun was discharged, the ball striking
the boy on the fence near the navel and
ranging upward. Before the boy, who
held the gun, realized what had hap
pened and got to his brother, he was
dead. -EUins NeicS.
A young girl named Alice Abbott left
her home, BarbourSvlle, few weeks
ago with a Shanty boatman named
Light, OF Huntington. He was also
young, but old enough in crime TO leave
the girl at Cincinnati after having
promised to marry her. He was arrest
ed In that city on a charge OF seduction
preferred by the girl, but during an ar
gument between the officers escaped.
The girl will return to her home.
A few nights ago Geo, w. Laishley'S
daughters were awakened in their bed
room by bright light and smell Of stiff
ling smoke, which proved to be a pair Of
pants OH fire which were hanging on
hook on the door. The ladies quickly
jumped from the bed and put out the
fire. 1t is supposed that mice set of
matches that were in the pockets OF the
pantaloons.-Norgdntorn Post.
One day last week Joseph White, Of
Dry Fork, Randolph county, killed 4