Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-17

Va; R. T. Wetzel OF Ravenswood, and
w. S. King.
The two physicians were DR.. B. E.
Harrison, of Cottageville, and DR.. D. D.
Caste.
The guards who assisted Sheriff
Shinn were Deputy Sheriff R. P. Shinn
and James Wease.
Surrounding the scaffold and enclos-
ing space about 20 feet square is a
strong barbe wire fence which served
to keep the crowd back Within this
enclosure members of the press only
were admitted and others were kept
back by an adequate guard.
HOW HE PASSED THE NIGHT.
Morgan passed rather restless
night. In the evening he called for a
tub and took a bath, followed by a
light meal.
His spiritual adviser was with him
until late in the evening. He expressed
deep penitence and prayed with the
minister When the minister left Nor
gan began joking and swearing like
trooper, as he has been in the habit Of
doing.
He was very restless in his sleep, and
would waken up almost every hour.
He took little food about 2 o'clock
and again retired, at 5 o'clock he wax
ened and asked the guards if it was
time to get ready. He was informed
that it was too early. He turned over
and slept until o'clock, WREN he arose,
dressed himself and took some nour-
ishment He appeared to be in a good
humor and displayed very little nerv-
BUSINESS.
A TREMENDOUS CROWD.
The crowd here in town and on the
grounds where the hanging took place
was estimated at fully $4,000, one third
of whom were women.
The triple crime for which John
Morgan also known as John RaineS,
was hanged to-day, was one Of the
most remarkable in the history Of this
State, and attracted wide attention, not
only on account of the unusual brutal
ity of the murders, but from the fact
that there was no apparent motive
for the deed, the family he destroyed
having been his benefactor since
childhood. The trial and conviction
WIS notable for the fact that within
three days after the murder, Morgan
had been captured, indicted, tried, con-
victed and sentenced, in pursuance of
Judge Reese Blizzard's promise to the
populace clamoring for lynching, that
il the mob would dispense he would
promise that there would be no delay
of justice.
Mrs. Edward Greene, well to do
widow, aged 70 years, her two daugh-
tiers by her first husband, Alice and
Matilda Pfost. and her son, James
Greene, aged about 20, lived a short
distance from Ripley. An intimate
friend was John Morgan, whom Mrs.
Greene had taken in as an orphan boy
and given home. He remained with
them about dozen years, but about
three years ago got married and lived
apart from his formed benefactors. He
was on friendly terms with them, how
ever, and on Wednesday evening, No
vemDer 4, called at the house and
asked Matilda Post to cut his hair.
She invited him to remain until morn
ing, when she would do the favor TOT
him. The household were up about 4
O'Clock the next morning and the
young women set about to prepare
breakfast while Mrs. Greene was ar
ranging her room. Greene went out to
feed the stock, accompanied by Nor
gan, who soon returned to the house
alone, saying Greene had gone to set
his traps. A snort time afterWald
while the young women were busy
with the breakfast preparations, Nor
gan suddenly picked up Ratchet and
assaulted Matilda Post, striking her
twice upon the head. She ran onto the
porch while Morgan turned upon Alice
Pfost and felled her with the Ratchet.
Matilda was in the meantime scream
ing for help, and Morgan left Alice to
quiet Matilda.
This leaving Alice to finish Matilda
was fatal to Morgan, for Alice man
aged to get out of the house and hide,
and it was afterwards solely on her
information that the identity of the
murderer was known. Alice lied in a
half conscious condition and gave the
alarm to a nighbor. In the meantime
Morgan forced his way into the room
of old Mrs. Greene, and after des-
perste struggle ON her part, slashed
her to pieces with a Ratchet.
James Greene's mutiated body was
found near corn-crib. Morgan was
shortly afterward captured in the
woods. The following day he was in
dincted and arraigned for trial and
confessed. A few days ago he es-
capped, but was recaptured. Morgan's
correct name was John T. Raines.
His father killed his wife's lover some
years ago and was himself killed by
an officer who was in pursuit of him.
UNIVERSITY NOTES.
10 bo o-cta