Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-23
A BRUTAL MURDER.
S. W. Dorsey, of Little Washington
Killed by Two Robbers.

A BRUTAL MURDER
S. W. Dorsey, of Little Washington,
Killed by Two Robbers.
A cold blooded murder for purposes
OF robbery was perpetrnted up at Little
Washington, at twenty minutes after
one o'clock yesterday morning.
The victim was Samuel w Dorsey,
very well-known coIored man, the pro-
prietor of the Ault House barber shop,
and a citizen of good reputation. His
murderers were two men, as yet un-
known, but generally believed to be
colored. Three or four arrests had
been made up to last evening, but there
is nothing certain as TO whether the
right men have been obtained.
Mr.. Dorsey left his barber shop about
one o'clock in the morning and started
for his home, about half mile away.
When on East Chestnut street, about
midway between North Lincoln and
North College streets, he was attacked
by two men. What transpired imme-
diately after the attack Is not known,
as no one was upon the street at the
time, the first intimation of trouble be-
ing when residents along the street
were aroused by pistol shot. But
Nettie Roberts saw two men bent over
the PROSTATE man, and gen.
tleman named Williams, living near by,
ran out and found Mr.. Dorsey, shot
through the head, the ball having en-
tered one of his eyes, and lying upon the
sidewalk, while two men were retreat
ing down the street, being at that time
half a square away. Mr.. Williams gave
the alarm as soon as possible, but the
murderers had disappeared long before
help arrived. An examination showed
that Mr.. Dorsey had been almost in
stantly killed, and search Of his per-
son revealed the further fact that the
murdererS had stolen his gold
watch, a diamond stud, Knight
Templar watch charm and some money,
but one hundred and seven dollars, con-
tanned in an inside pocket, had been
overlooked by the murderers in their
haste. The fact that these articles had
been taken fixed the motive for the
crime beyond doubt, and 1t is prob
able that the murdered man had been
followed for considerable distance,
perhaps all the way from his shop. Mr..
Dorsey was about thirty-eiRht years Of
age, married man. member of Coun-
Gil, and citizen having many friends.
The police OF this and neighboring
cities were promptly notified by Chief
Of Police Alex. Rankin, Of Little Wash
ington, to look out for the murderers.
Late last night Officer Carney picked
up two strange colored men on Market
street and took them to the City Hall,
where they were locked up. They gave
the names OF Paul Jacks and Fred
Jones, and said they were from Fair
mont, but admitted they had come to
this city last evening from Little Wash
ington, and hat they had stopped at
the Ault House Saturday. Jones had
pair OF steel knucklers on his person,
and the two men had several dollars
each In silver. One OF them had re-
ceipt, showing he had purchased twelve
dollars worth OF cooper's tools and had
paid three dollars and half on &C
count. They will be held until the
Washingt ton authorities can be commu-
nicated with.
The following Associated Press tele-
gram from Washington gives additional
details OF the crime:-
"WAsHINGToN, PA, October %
Samuel Dorsey, probably tie most
widely known and prosperous colored
citizen in Washington county was foully
and most mysteriOusly murdered at this
place to-day for his money. He was shot
through the brain and was not given
the slightest chance for defense Dor
sey has been for years the proprietor Of
the largest barber shop in town. On
Saturday night he was at his place Of
business, working with his men until
midnight Shortly after that time his
barsers left him, while he was engaged
in counting his money, the work for
the day being finished. Moth
ing more was seen Of him aft
er this, aud IL is supposed
that he remained at the shop until al
most l o'clock Sunday morning. 1t was
ten minutes after that hour when Nellie
Roberts, who lives on East Chestnut
street, heard q cry Of horror and pis-
toll shot She Immediately sprang TO
the window and beheld two men who
were exposed to the glare OF an electric
light bend over the PROSTATE body OF
man, snatch a gold watch from hisFest,
rifle his pockets and tear "a diamond
stud from his shirt front. Other per-
sons had heard the shot and
appeared on the street. A light was
procured and the body Of Dorsey was
found in half leaning position against
the fence. One hand was thrust in the
side pocket of his overcoat and cigar,
stu burning, was between the teeth.
Close inspection revealed the death
wound The highwaymen had thrust
revolver within foot Of his face and
had shot him directly through the
right eye. Death was instantaneous.
In the hurried search Of the murderers
and robbers they had failed to find Sl07
which was in the dead mans vest.
Searching parties were at onceoor-
ganized, but the darkness concealed the
fight OF the two murderers. However,
the officers arrested Ike Cook, cOlored
man with rather q hard reputation in
town, on suspicion. At daybreak
strange negro was arrested two miles
east OF town. Neither Of these, how
ever, are believed to know anything in
n - tho rrfuna