Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-29
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Charleston, w Va. August 2S.-One
OF the most sensational murders IN
the criminal annals of this State has
just come to light by the confession
OF Christopher Slack. who was SEN
tened to the penitentiary by Judge
Hall last spring on the charge Of bur-
glary for the term Of five years.
Slack has been serving his time at
Moundsviue. but recently there has
been lack of orders in the pen and
within that period he has brooded over
his past conduct and confesses every
thing. for the reason that he was
afraid that the murder would be found
out and he would be hanged, and
thinking perhaps that if he would
make a clean breast Of it his life
might be saved He had also heard
through a prisoner that the story Of
the murder had leaked out and that
he was in imminent danger Of being
convicted by the testimony of accom-
plices.
Depending upon his confession to Sc
cure a life sentence. he called War
den Hawk into his cell and gave him a
graphic description of one Of the most
brutal murders that has ever occurred
in this section Of the State.
He says that about two years ago
this fall he, in company with his wife
and his sister. Emma Slack. Elijah
keefer and four others were on their
way from Clay Court House 10 Glen
DENIM, on a stealing expedition. They
overlook a pedlar by the name Of John
Wiseman. They at once began TO plan
70 relieve him OF his money when
Kefer suggested that the best way TO
do it would be TO kill him.
Slack had the rifle. and Keffer told
Slack that as he was best shot he had
better do the killing. Slack was at
first reluctant, but he at last agreed
10 IT, Slack fired the fatal shot. kill
ing the peddler instantly. They then
rifle his pockets. and also the valise
VIII b he was carrying, and were re-
w led by SS5 in money. some watches,
hNCW WJCWC4lE. AAV1 tASA vi d56Su NAA0
-'bOdy down the bank near the river
and tied rails and ties about it. The
party camped at that point all night
and kept the body burning, so that
when morning came there was nothing
left but the bones Of the peddler.
The bloody murderers all swOre
eternal silence, and took a solemn oath
that the first one who should reveal
the secret should be killed. They re-
turned 10 their several homes. on trC
Big Sandy river, and at Jarrett's Ford,
where they often times after that left
Tor the purpose of plunder.
Since that period they have commit
ed many depredaJiOns, one OF which
placed Slack in the penitentiary.
After Slack told his story TO Wa
den Hawk. the warden telcgraphed
he story to Judge Hall and PrOsecut-
ing Attorney Burdette. Late last night
Warden Hawk and Senator Matthews
arrived here with Slack. and this
morning he was taken before the pro-
scouting attorney and made substantt-
ally the same statement that he hdl
made 10 the warden at MOuudsville.
He also stated that II has was taken
10 that section he could locate the
Mace Of the killing and also the place
where the body was burned.
Accordingly the prisoner was taken
ND the Elk river to-day 90 the scene OF
the murder. where the prisOner located
the exact spot where the peid,er was
killed. and the scene Of the hmning OF
the body. Harrison Ash and Thomas
paxton will leave tonight for Rome
county. where some Of the accessories
10 the killing reside to place them uu-
der arrest.