Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-20
]. s MARSHAL VINSON
GIVES HIS VERSION OF TIE TROUBLE IN
WAYNE COUNTY.
Hs Claims That BE and Els Men Acted in tn
Defensive, and Frizzsll Was Shot
BY the Waits Gang.

United States Marshal S. S. Vim
sun arrived in the city over
the Ohio River road last night,
AID registered at the Hotel Wind
sor. He is here to attend United
States Court, which opens this morning.
Marshal Wilson was seen by REGIS
TER reporter last night, and gave mis-
side of the recent trouble in wayne
county. His version OF the shooting,
which has never been given 10 the pub
lie before, differs very materially from
that published in the newspapers
throughout the State.
I'm the first place." he said, 1.-THE
newspaper accounts magnited the
trouble a hundred times. They all
blame me for starting the trouble, while
the truth of the matter is that acted
on the defensive.
"Ex.Governor Wilson had al appoint
ment to speak at Trace creek, Wayne
county, September 4th. l attended the
meeting, in company with my
brother, grandson and nephew. The
Watts gang OF desperate men who have
already killed one man, and the Baileys,
from Virginia, are great friends OF Will
son aud followed him about from place
TO place. sent a committee TO Wilson,
asking him TO divide time with me. he
absolutely refused to do so. he then
made his speech at Trace, speaking
about two hours and a half, and making
bitter personal attack upon me and
my friends. When he had concluded l
asked him if he was through and be
frankly replied that he was.
~ then arose TO speak and the watts
and Bailey crowds raised yell, aud
showed demonstrations of fight. | tried
to proceed, but was unable TO do so, on
account of their interference. Then
the Baileys commenced throwing stones
and Furnishing clubs, and the Watts's
opened fire on me and my brother with
three or four revolvers. When they
opened fire, we returned it, and in the
melee Jim Frizzell was shot.
II am certain that IL was none or my
party who hit him. We could not see
him, for an abutment OF the railroad
bridge across Trace creek, behind
which he stood, so | am informed. The
story that | rushed up to him and shot
him while he was begging for mercy, is
outrageous-it is a malicious and infa-
nous SANDER. l had known Frizzell
ali my life and never had any
trouble with him. He was a barber,
and often shaved me. One OF my depu-
ties had had some trouble with him, but
it had all been fixed up, and the two
attended the Ravenswood convention
together l am satisfied that he was
killed bv one of the Watts gang. The
Watts and Bailey crowds stood behind
the opposite abutments, and there are
twelve bullet marks in the stone wall
which were fired at me and my men.
when we found that warrants were
issued for US, we Immediately furnished
bond, and were released. We are ready
and anxious for trial, as we are GER
tain that the blame for FrzzelPs death
will be placed where it belongs, on the
shoulders OF the Watts gang"
What, in your opinion, will % the
outcome of the fight for the Congress
sional nomination in the Fourth dis
trict?" asked the reporter.
II think Judge Harvey, OF Hunting
ton, will be nominated without doubt,
and will be elected Cabell county had
three candidates, but Holt and Kyle
have withdrawn, and all are working
for Harvey. Judge Harvey is strong
man, a splendid campaigner and good
mixer"