The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-19
rHE rlllsr LEGAL HANGING.


Two sIen Pu. TO Death for Numbering a
Man for his Money.
In making the assertion that there
arc Ave thousand murderers in our
country to-day, We feel reasonably GER
tain that we do not overstate the num-
ber We further assert that at least
seventy per cent Of this number escape
The ,ull penalty OF their crimes either
by the insanity dodge, perjured testi-
mnny or the misuse o! the pardonlnS
power There is, we regret to say, not
only growing disposition TO evade the
punishment OF the law, but also ten
tlencv on the part OF iuries TO seek to
palliate us lar as possible tho enormlty
Of the otlense.
In addition, executive clemency is FREE
nuently importunod in behalf oil the
most depraved and vicious characters
who in the most revolving manner have
taken the lives OF their Innocent vic
tins. The more cruel and disgusting
the crime, the greater the sympathy
felt for the perpetrator bya class IN the
community who permit their sympa-
,ilies to dominate their judgments.
Hence there is never any difficulty in
obtaining signatures to petition ad-
dressed 10 the executive urging him to
interfere with the execution OF the law,
by committing the sentence OF the
court or by exercising the pardonlng
power. In.view, thereof, it is no won
der that the deadly weapon is so often
resorted TO on the slightest provocntion,
and often without any, to crafty ma
licious and revengeful disposition.
The result is therefore that human
life il lightly estimated and the she'd
ding OF human blood is looked upon as
an oilense OF no great magnitude Us COM
pared wilhthe manner in which it was
formerly regarded Tins feeling has
grown to such enormous proportions
that it has influenced some OF the
weaker seSIn such degree as 10 lead
them in some notable instances 10 make
hero OF a red-hanled murderer, and
to elevate him 10 the dignity OF
MARTYR.
We recognize the fact that it is a fear
full thing to SEQ ~ fellow being eNpiate
his crime upon the galiows, but is 1t
not more terrible for one premeditated-
ly 10 usher bis fellow into eternity by
the use OF some instrument or drug,
without IN opportunity for prepara-
ton? There il great deal OF mawklsh
sensibility prevalent upon this subject.
We believe in the doctrine that whose
sheldeth mans blood by man shall
his blood be she'd"
Sixty years ago human lie was re-
garded as much more sacred than 1t IS
to-day, and tho penalty for i;s de-
struction was more certain and coRdign
punishment followed the individual
who wantonly took it.
That there are extreme cases in
which one maYljustifably take the life
OF another We do not pretend to gain.
say, but such instances are few and
rare aud from their very nature, eXcep-
tional.
The foregoing reflections are the re.
suit Of conversation held with a friend
some months since who was present at
the execution OF Thomas Wintringer
and Boon Long in this city in the year
1886 which was the first that took place
in Ohio county for the crime Of murder.
The circumstances connected with
this tragedy rs we have boon informed,
were as follows:
TiE TRAGEDY.
A man'by the name Of Crissman had
come to Wheeling from one OF The west
ern states as an agent to sell piece Of
farm machinery aud had been travel
ling through the county and vicinity
making sales, in which he proved TO be
quite successful and had accumulated u
nice sum OF money. In the prosecu-
ton OF his business he used horse
and wagon which he owned and which
he subsequently sold after completing
his business to good advantage and ac-
cordingly made his preparations 10 re-
turn to the west, and on his h0meward
Journey had reached Wheeling. where
he proposed to remain Tor day or Two.
While in the city he visited n store
and made purchase OF some small az
ticlc which he needed, and in payment
for the same rendered twenty.dolIar
bank bill, remarking at the same time
that "he possessed enough OF that do
nomination OF bills to make himself an
overcoat."
Wintringer and Long, who were in
the store ut the time, overheard the re-
mark, and it aroused their cupidlty and
they determined 10 victimiZe him.
On leaving the store, Crissmnn, who
was slightly under the influence OF
liquor, was followed by the two, who
overlook him aud imposed their conf
pany upon him, and the three soon be-
came familiar In company they made
their way TO the tavern oil John Me-
Corlney, then located near the south
east corner OF the present Fourteenth
and Main streets, on Main street, where
they partook together of supper, alter
finishing which it WAS proposed by one
of his new made friends that they
should visit the theatre, which PROPOSE.
ton was accepted by Crissman and
promptly acted upon by the trio.
LID INTO TRAP.
Here they spept the evening and at
the close of the entertainment they In
duced their victim by false representa-
tons TO take walk with them for the
purnose, as they pretended, OF making
a call on some female acquaintences OF
Wintringer aud Long, This suggestion
was accepted by Crissman and they
started on what subsequently proved 10
be the death walk OF the latter. Lead
ing their nnsuspectine victim in devious
and winding ways until physical ex,
haustion began to have its effect upon
him, and his patience was put to a
severe test, in response to his often re.
peated enquiries as to his Whereabouts