Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-04-28
A SAD AFFAIR.
Strange Death of an Old Citizen.
WITH FRACTURED SKULL REUBEN S. ALLEN
REMAINS CONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL
HOURS AND WALKS TO HIS HOME.

A deplerabls affair happened at the
Geary House, in this place, between 8 and
O'clock on Saturday night, of last week,
by which Reuben S. Allen, an old resident
of this place lost his life. After careful
inquiry the following appears to be a
correct account of the sad affair.
Allen had been drinking for some days,
during which time he was in surly
mood, something rather unusual for him.
On the night in question he was in the
bar-room of the Geary House and was in
sisting upon Mr.. NJ. Boehm buying him d
drink. This Boehm refused several times
to do, but finally turned to C. S. Mar
shall, the bar tender, and said, "Well,
give the man drink" Marshall replied,
mo, he cannot have it. l have positive
orders not to let him have anything, and
must obey them" Allen then insisted
upon Boehm giving him the money to 90
elsewhere, but was refused This seemed
to put him into a rage, and he threatened
to cut Boehm with knife, and the two
got into a scufllo. Marshall spraDg
across the bar and separated them. telling
Allen that there must be no trouble in
there, and he must 60 out, at the same
time taking him by the arm and leading
BIN from the room. After getting
upon the outside Aliens rage seemed to
be directed to Marshall who was standing
upon the step or sill of the door. Accord
ing to the testimony of eye witnesses
Allen told Marshall he would cut his CUTS
out, and with the exclamation, "look out"
lunged at him with a knife. Marshall
drew back as far as the door would per.
nit in order to avoid the cut. the third
blow striking across the edge of his coat,
although he drew back as far as he could.
After the third cut Marshal struck Allen
with bis left hand, knockin & him down.
A Mr.. Pelton picked him mp but before
he got firmly on his feet he broke loose
from Pclton and fell, his head strik ing
heavily against an iron railing in front
of the window. After getting him up he
seemed to be perfectly conscious, and in a
short time after was taken to his home,
aud as he was found to be bleeding from
the ear physician was sent for who
found him in a critical condition. He
grew worse from this time on until his
death which occurred on Monday morning
about o'clock. The testimony of the
witnesses and the result of the post
norton examination is given below The
funeral OF Mr.. Allen took place on Tues
day afternoon about o'clock the services
being conducted by Rev. Mr.. Bause1-
man In the Christian church, intsrment
in the Methodist cemetery.
TESTIMONY AT THE CORONER's INQUEST.
A. an inquest held this oath day of
April, 1898, 20 determine by what means
Reuben Allen came to his death, E. c.
Haas, acting coroner, the following jury
was summoned to inquire by what means
Reuben Allen came to his death Chas
L. Fogle, W. n. Grabill, A. S. Parker, R.
H. Martin, Banks Jenkins and II. R.
Bragg.
DR.. D. D. Carter being duly sworn, de-
posed as follows; Skull of Reuben S.
Allen fractured several inches in length,
beginning at left ear, extending upward
81 inches above the ear, and two inches
toward the bare of the brain. Clot of
blood on left side of brain, about ) inches
in diameter. Fracture caused by blow
or by falling against solid substance.
Caused by blunt instrument. Nothing
was cut. Could have been caused by
falling against fat surface. Probably
caused in that way. From character OF
fracture most likely caused by fall.
DR.. I thompson deposed Cause Of Reuben
s. Aliens death fracture of the skull, p
inches upward across the Uranium and
downwards to the external auditory
sponing, and inward across tho internal
portion of the skull. Done by a blunt
instrument decidedly. 1t could have been
caused by his falling on the back of bis
head. The centre was about p inches
above the left ear, abolt an inch pos
! terror to a medan line drawn to ear.
DR.. Thompson recalled by Juror: Bruist
may have been caused by fall or the
collection of blood. There may have
been two blows.
Mr. Pelton testified Did not know
Reuben Allen. Saw him Saturday night
at hotel, suppose it was Geary's. Knew
Allen was inside bar-room. Heard bin
having some words with some one, did
not know who. Saw bartender part them
and showed one to the door, showed hin
out of the door. l passed out on side
walk. Heard some one say '1ll cut you
and this young gentleman say you
won't" / picked the old gentleman NJ
after be had fallen and he fell again
The knife got lay at the old gentle
mans feet. 1 think by the way he
went be fell on his back. pulled hin
partly on his feet and be fell. l could
not see how he fell the second tine. HI
fell on the side of his head and strucl
his head pretty solid on something. Aller
scanned to be very reasonable after d.
had gotten up the second time. Saw no
blood before picked him up the secon'
time, Had my hand under his head wher
l picked him up the second time and ha'
blood on ny hand. Knife lay on the SD
walk in that shape (open } Did mol
know whose knife 1t was.
Frank Frsvel testified: Saw him Satur
dsy in the bar-roOm. While Curb wa
fixing up the lemonade Boehm walked NJ
and spoke to Allen whe had come in Jus
ahead. Boehm and Allen commsnce'
fu,sing. Marshall got over the counter
put his hands on Aliens shoulders ant
pushed him out of the door. Saw d
blows struck.
VIM. Fry testified: Was across tn
street opposite Gsary's bar'rOom doOi
Heard Allen call some one damn liai
1