Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-11-21
MURDER GALORE.
Two Victims Of Revenge One In
stantly Killed and the Other
Dies Soon After Being Shot.
The Murderers Still
at Large.

Tn Sunday morning word was re-
ceived in this city that murder had
been committed in this county, and
investigation showed that a man
named Dovenor had been shot and
instantly killed at Myers Hole,
point in the county where a number
of men are employed at straighten-
ing out dangerous curve and in
cline on the B. & O. r. r. The
shooting took place about o'clock
and the facts are as follows:
The principals we're both colored
men, and the trouble originally arose
in general quarrel earlier in the
evening, in which numerous other
people were involved. During the
earlier wrangle in the evening Dove
nor was mere onlooker. In a
struggle with another party, Hill,
who did the shooting, was beaten by
the other man with club furnished
by Doyenor, and this caused Hill to
swear vengeance. Near midnight
a game of cards caused a renewal OF
bad feeling between Dovenor and
Hill. Words passed, and neither
party "backing down. Hill drew
his revolver and fired. Dovenor fell
dead, shot through the heart. Hill
at once took fight, and had made
good his escape before the witnesses
fairly recovered from their amaze
ment. No attempt was therefore
made to follow him, and when word
was brought to the officers, he had
good start. Pursuit has not been
given up, although at this day no ex-
act clue has been obtained of the
murderer's whereabouts. On Mon
day morning Coroner Mckee held
an inquest, at which the facts elicit
ed were about the same as those
stated, the verdict being "That Dove
nor came to his death instantly from
pistol shot fred by one Moses Hill
in adispute over game of cards. A
reward has been offered for the cap
ture of Hill. He is five feet ten inch
es tall, bright copper color, has half
of his left ear off, and when last seen
was wearing a light overcoat and
blue overalls.
The second tragedy occurred near
noon at the Baker Lime Kilns, south
of this city, and in it colored fell
low named Lowry was fatally wound
ed by "June" Perkins, another col.
ored man. This also grew out of
previous difficulty, but in it both
were concerned. Both were employ
ed at the lime kiln. On Saturday
evening Perkins and Lowry had
fistic encounter, which eliminated in
Lowry knocking Perkins down with
brick. The latter then left, threat
ening that he would shoot Lowry at
the first opportunity.
The following day, Sunday, Perk
ms called at Lowry's house, adjoin-
ing the lime kiln, and renewed the
quarrel of the previous evening,
which was continued and became
more violent until finally Perkins
drew his revolver and shot. The
ball entered Lowry's stomach, and
turning over as the second shot was
fired, it was received in his back. He
took flight at once, and has not been
captured, although q reward has
been offered. Lowry was carried in
to the house and died Sunday night.
Mr.. Martin Young, neighbor, wit
messed the whole fight. and will be
strong witness for the state.
Perkins is dark, has a smooth face,
is 5 feet 8 inches high, weighs 100
pounds, and when last seen wore a
light overcoat.