Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-12-23
MILLER MURDER MYSTERY
OF A HALF YEARS STANDING HAS
BEEN SOLVED BY THE DEATH
OF CHARLEY RICE.
DEATH BED CONFESSION
Is Reported to Have Been Made by
Rice Mt CatIettsburg, KY, After Be-
ing MortaiIy W0Inded i'm Fight
With a Negro Over u Woman, Who
Accompanied Him to That Place
From Elm Grove-The Story Credit
ed at That Place.

An unofficial report has been re-
ceived in Elm Grove, which, If true
will clear up a murder mystery OF
half years standing. The Gaze, at the
time, was shroudeu in an uncertainty
which hardly warranted any active
steps on the part of the authorities.
Early last summer a man known IN
Elm Grove by the name Of Miller was
found cut to pieces on the railroad near
Mount de Chantal. He was employed
at the Riverside mill. At the time 1t
was suspected that Miller had been
foully dealt with and placed on the
railroad track to cover up the crime.
4 small wound in the head of the dead
man resembled a gun shot wound, but
when probed no bullet was found. The
police never found any other clue to
Iead to a suspicion Of crime, and the
matter was finally dropped. No con-
nections Of the dead man were ever
found and the remains were given
p2uper burial.
Several days ago at Catlettsburg,
Ky, the report has it that Charley
Rice, who formerly worked at the Elm
Grove coal mines, was fatally wounded
in tight over a woman. The woman
was said to have formerly lived at Elm
Grove. In the fight both men drew
revOlvers and opened fire on each 9th
er. When it was all over Rice had
fallen, mortally wounded, shot through
the body nine times. The negro was
unframed.
On his death bed Rice is said to have
made a confession 1t is reported ne
said that, while living in Elm Grove,
he had killed man named Miller and
placed his body on the railroad track
in order to cover UP the crime.
While in Elm Grove Rice had a conf
panion Of the opposite sex. He had
caught Miller with the woman and shQc
him. At that town the story is gener-
ally credited. She had married fra
cadelphia man, who is said ID still le
side in that town. After separating
from her husband she took mp her res
idence in Elm Grove, where she bore
She reputation Of teinS woman %
most questionable virtue. Sic was the
only woman Rice WIS ever seen With
His connection Will her was generally
understood.
Rice disappeared suddenly from that
community shortly after the murder.
The woman also disappeared. They
evidently went away together, and had
it not been fCr the trouble at C2tletts-
burg the mystery CT Niller's de2 h
might never awe been solved
at Elm Grove Rice, rs a general rule,
conducted himself il a gentlamanly
manner. 1t was only in the pay day
spTees that he evidenced any DISPOSE
ton to harm any one. Numberless
times after these occasions complaints
were lodged with the authorities cf
that town against him, all to the eff
feet that he had threatened to kill some
of his fellow workman. The COM
plainarts. however, always wanted the
authorities to take all tle steps in the
prosecution of the complaints, beins
evidently afraid that Rice would re-
venge himself upon them.
Rice was never suspected Of being in
any way connected with the death of
Miller. He was not classed as a ruff
fan, and unless under the influence OF
liquor never Showed any disposition
to hunt any trouble, but rather seemed
disposed to avoid it, The subject Of
the supposed confession is the chief
topic CT conversation in the town.
Violins, Guitars, Banjos, Music Rolls.
Accordions, Flies, Piano Stools and
Covers, Stands and Music Cabinets to-
morrow at EXACTLY HALF-PRICE.