The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-09
ASSASSIN AT The WEDDING
Crime Of the First Convict Received 10
The State Psnitentiary.
MURDERED HIS SUCCESSFUL RIVAL
In tho Midst of tho Marriage Festivities
Took the Groom Out and Made Him
Turn the Grindstone While Hc
Sharpened the Deadly Blade,

the murder OF Albert Jones, anu sent 10
the penitentiary for a term OF i've years.
IN those days general musters were ne
quent, and were heid in dincrent parts
OF the county. At TINS time a Behcrdl
muster was held IN bcautliul fleld al Il
place called Ialicys, nNe mics from the
county seat at that time called lining
ham At that general muster was a iOnB
line OF militia soldiers. without guns,
whi-h marched gnd contaminated, be-
ing commanded by coiOnsl VINO wore
a three-cornered black hat. and who was,
IN his own estimation. greater military
man than the Father OF Ills country.
What man in that ola county. VINO Nv
ed sixty or seventy years ago. who does
not remember the notes OF the fife by
Fleming Pamore the taps of the old
drum by John Miner? In those happy days
there were as many boys on the neld as
wore men who performed military duty
Those BOYS wanted TO JOIN the army as
soon as possible. ana never had enough
Of military life until the nrst battle OF
Manassas.
Ladies also attended those general mus
tiers. Ihe cay referred 10 was bright ana
lovely. There were very few fines for
GOn-attendance on that occasion.
As ASSASSIN Al \ FEAST.
The sun began 10 sink behind the west
ern hills. Tine lines were broken. some
who had drilled were tired and made their
way hOmcward. many who had been for
AAllHA' fUVANH 10 nave Uffll HNUNifn WIN
an invitation 70 an Old-fashioned wedding
at the happy nome OF Farmer Minter
who lived but short distance. went 10
pay tribute 90 the court of Hymen.
The young lady. Miss Mintcr VINO was
TO be the bride OF that evening. was love-
ly beyond description, and had many al
mirers, among whom was "a young man
named Merryman. His proposition 10
make her his bride had been made time
and again and had as many times been
Got tod
that she should never live TO be the vile
Of any other man. Merryman had in the
meantime left for parts unknown. But
on the night Of the marriage it was learn.
ed that he had returned, but no one
dreamed Of his intended intrusion on that
happy occasion. The officiating clergyman
was the popular carpenter i'm the neigh
bOrhOod. Joseph jenkins tfOr whom "a
handsome country church was built IN
memory Of his good name and now stands
in few hundred yards of the Minter
house,. After the old parson had declared
Mr. Jones and Miss Mintcr man and wife
tho sweet strains Of the violin (Old Joe
Swinney having not as yet invented the
banjo was begun and the leader cried
ont partners 20 your places one set
was danced and as the fiddler struck the
back Of the fiddle with his bow tan old
time signaD the dancers took their seats.
just then the enraged Merryman APP
peared upon the scene. lie walked mp to
,be bride. and after congratuiating her
upon the marriage Of 50 hne-looking
gentleman. was introduced 10 the groom.
As soon as an opportunity presented IT.
self he asked Mr.. Jones to walk with him
into the ward and behold the beautiful
full moon which was just lifting her
modest face from the eastern horizon.
The invitation was accepted and Merry
man leading the way. the two went TO-
words the corn-crib. by which stood the
old farm grindstone. on which they mao
so often seen the laborers sharpen thrH
oxee with which to fell the virgin forest.
Merrvman had been long absent out ne
knew where to find that old stone 'dld
ans. ore ever see II out OF reach OF the
corn-crib0 ........
4 REMARKABLE REQUEST.
rIo made a most unreasonable request
- Mr. ZONES lie asked him 10 turn the
mi while he sharpcned his knife. the
request was complied with. ana lheS
returned to the house just In time TO take
a part I'm the next SET
NJ Jonos soon sought his bride On her
bore-spun Dress and Merrymah naNlls
obtained the pleasure OF dancing WIN ,n'
beautiful Miss Tallcy a cousin OF inc
bride. selected his position on inc opp0
site side from the bride ana Groom anu
oe ,bev met in the centre Of the moor ne
1rov, from his sleeve the same knife
u.hicb he had so lately sharpened. ana
y.i,b one diabohcal thrust. ana IN the
,reeence OF that happy throng. spit the
iifeeblood Of the groom whose future
,o.buro, nment before seemed 10 DC
streu,n with fragrant flowers. and whose
life was 10 move on like the PLACID w 'eIS
OF Cashmere's sunny vale.
AS Tones fen to the floor Merryinah
with knife I'm hand red with the blooG or
his late rival. cut his way to the door
and leaning upon his horse. made goou
his escape.
strong and daring men fell back panic
stricken. while ladies tainted and feh IN
the floor. The dying groans OF inc muir
dared man were never forgotten by those
who heard them The writer has seen one
Of the victims Of that tragedy woman
who lived close BY that same house for
more than three score years ana Ten /,
whose reason was dethroned and who at
mo ti,oe since ever uttered "A single sane
sentence But the gentle hand OF death
| has removed her from earth.
THE MURDERER CAPTURED.
Tho writer has also seen the dark spot
said 10 be the blood that was split nearly
n century ago. I have often visited the
| bospitable home Of the late Robert I.
! Page. whose heirs still own the estate.
| The povcrno- offered reward Of one
| hundred hounds for the apprehension OF
| the murderer. who was captured IN the
| Mountains Of Virginia Cnow West Nir-
| ginia).
| lie was brought back 90 Cumberland
| co,-ntv and was tried bv Marshall Booker
Gentleman Justice. and by him sent on
to the county court and by that tribunal
sast 10 the district court. which was held
| AZ Prince Edward Courthouse. and was
, comrosed OF the counties 81 Amelia.
| p ickircham. Cumberland Charlotte and
Prince Edward NOW long since abol-
ishcdD Some years since with tho kind
| aid OF Major II. Y. Hooper the laca
| clerk Of Prince Edward. ! found the
rccctd OF this c. = and took tire names Of
the Jurors who tried this man but that
\ part Of the record has been lost and
| tferef. re il cam OF be given.
The Jury found him guilty. and being
| instructed by the court that II they found
him guilty OF murder they could ascertain
| his punishment 10 be 2 number OF years
| IN the State nenitentiary. which would
soon he completed The record showed
that tho officers OF Prince Edward were
requested 10 hold the convict for few
DAYS. when that institution would be
ready for occupancy.
This was the FIRST convict ever register
ed mt the STATE penitentiary. and thus ter
minated ono Of the most deliberate and