Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-21
p.,idfd and STOre Ke Would Die
Rather Than Submit.
nan SEVERELY BEATEN MS WIFE.
49, warrant Which the Officers
wont 10 serve sworn out by Her
M the Commonwenlth's Attorneys
Advicc-Story from Eyc-witnesses.

cu ar.1rp.r.l Ir Nagistrate A. ".
Cr..tn--, .r. N- c S.. Burton. went
81. ,r..,.... ..u. t' serve the warrant.
Weaver -...-... arrest He had q gun I'm
,..r.r-. ,,.r which hc was threatening
q. -.. .a. Sheriff.
v. a..rl .a drod once. when Weaver
Struck r.- over Che head with his gun
Arr haE-mconscious for a mo-
r. ad recovered and fired. The
l.r Viewers head was blown
away ar De- fen dead at the door of his
Dom. T. body was left at the house
,.I yesterday. when a coroner's inquest
WIS h..l The verdict Of the jury COM
3 t.'r indicated Sheriff Gill
STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS.
SIR G Vs. Burton. who was with Sheriff
O.. 10 the time Of tho killing. in his
sworn testimony at the inquest. told a
O. .r.o story of the affair.
I'D utnt with the Sheriff to the residence
ufI.vls y. Weaver 10 assist him I'm ar
fe Weaver on a warrant for beating
s. Wife," said Nr. Burton. Mrs. Wea-
81, my wife's sister. When we arrived
e. Ueaver's house the Sheriff walked to-
VAL the door TO make the arrest Wea-
,- came out the door with shotgun in
I- l.ads. I could not hear what passed
1881 sn ar Gin and Weaver then but
..- Gu turned and called to me and Mr.
a. IT, chatham. the MAGISTRATE. TO come
tn we went forward, and when we
r.- .1 chem SIR Gill told Weaver two or
t., rms to put down his gun.
-W,.y.~ said. 4 VIII not. I have but
or. tmo to .a and IN be id if hadn't
a- u.u l.. here a- anywhere else Wea-
var at t..s time held his gun forward a.
th.u-h -n Shoot SIR. Gil was unarmed,
ln turned r-..s'y 10 me- and, grasping
I.v -.r threw rapidly 10 his shoulder
pointing it u fHe face Of Weaver. and
COMMA him 10 drop the gun or he
would Shoot Weaver did not drop his
ar ll- made "a motion as if 20 shoot,
rlauron 1'r G'l fired. but missed Wea-
'.- tae load cv emily passing over Wea-
f.rs shoulder
WEAVER FELL DEAD.
"Weav,r Immediately with his gun
struck SIR. CHI across the forehead, caus-
ire Dim % stagger. and evidently partial
g. stunning him. But the officer called 70
r- O.. seize Weaver. and Mr. Cheatham.
r.. MAGISTRATE. graf bed him and he grab
l.l tho magistrate.
.Ju-1 then Mr. GIL. seeming TO recover.
l-.I his sun and fired, the load taking
,I.r, ON the left side Of Viewers head
Killing him Instantly. The whole affair
happened instantly, perhaps IN hai
minute.
Weaver was a large. powerful man.
aud mo the time the arrest was attempted
declared he would not be taken alive. Had
le not been shot believe ne would have
Killed MS all-the Sheriff. Mr.. Cheatham'
and myself This morning Viewers vito
came 90 my house and told me he had
beaten her and threatened to Kill her.
Her face was cut and bruised by stick
with which he had struck her / carried
her To- see Mr. COgbiu the Common
voalth's Attorney. who advised her 10
have her husband bound over 10 keep the
peace She swore out the warrant and
tro sheriff went to execute it AT once be-
cause Mrs Weaver was afraid TO go home
,o h.r two little children until the Sheriff
Dad arrested her husband, who, she de-
l.rI would certainly kill her
SHERIFF GILLS STORY.
ON -h. witness-stand Sheriff Gill told
tt. blowing story:
S warrant was sworn ont by Mrs.
Weaver t.r the arrest Of her husband
f.r eating her and threatening 20 XIII
h.r 1I C0gbill the commonwealth
Attorney advised me TO go at once, as
Oh. ttar seemed serious one from
Sir. Viewers account Of il. 1 went TO
et..If. .t Mrs. Weaver going with me,
u..1 She got within two hundred yards
o. the house. She said she was afraid
q. el further. as her husband would XIII
t.r even If I and my assistants were
with her.
.A NJ. Cheatham the Justice, and Mr..
a. ~ Burton. were With me. Burton
IU his gun / was unarmed. Burton.
u. knew Weaver we'll told me 10 arm
r...alf as Weaver was a dangerous man.
] ..t, Cheatham and Burton at the fence,
anil went TO Viewers house with
a..ble-barrelled shotgun ID ms hahus,
holding 10 in threatening attitude.
Dad uo weapon at an. When j got WITHIN
twelve or fifteen steps OF MI. weaver
h said.
How arc you. Mr. Gil"
ID never saw him before. and l asked:
Ie that Air. Weaver lie said. Yes.
tlen said. i have "a warrant for your
auaet He said 4 am not going TO be
arrested or 90 anywhere. 1 am gOlhs TO
dsl.rd myself with this looking az his
eun ana slightly raising IL. My wife has
dome l.s'
said Yes but you Know am an
officer and must perform my duty lie
s..i Eyes. bur you are only one man.
WEAVER WAS READY TO DIE.
u then called 10 Mr.. Cheatham and
1l. Burton 20 come TO me. and they
came forward. We walked closer TO him.
a.I boo backed several feet / told him
s.yoral times 10 put down his gun, but
l. ala not do SO. still holding 10 as II
,o shoot lie said: You shall not take
m. / have bat one time 20 die and III
Do damned n / don't die now.
81 grasper BurtOns gun and throwing
30 Into the face Of Weaver ordered him
10 drop his gun. telling him II he moved |
] would shoot He made al IL 10 shoot. |
and then j Arod. but missed him. Weaver !
inon struck me across the forehead |
With his gun. outing open the scalp |
and partially stunning me. ! called 20
the others 10 seize Weaver, ana recover
ing. and seeing Cheaiham In the grasp |
of Weaver, and struggling. ] fired for his |
protection and safety the shot taxing |
effect and killing Weaver instantly.
Weaver was well armed. having
breech-loading shotgun and a very sharp |
knife lie had a number Of cartridges IN |
his pocket. Before arriving az viewers
] was Informed that he said he would
XII the. man who came % arrest him"
NJ Ia 81 L.. ..f q