The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-23
THE MURDERER INTERPRETED
with Mccammon, Who Was a Special
Constable Guarding a Sheep
Thief, and in a Rage
HE FIRED THE FATAL SHOT
That Brands Him with the Mark Of
Cain-Murderer and Thief
Taken to Washington.

Alexander, Pa, about fifteen miles east
Of Wheeling, and Just across the West
Virginia line. was the scene Of bold
murder yesterday morning. The VIC
tim was George w. Mccammon,
brother Of Parker McCammon. of
Wheeling, and he was killed by Frank
MCGEE. Themurderwast the lndirectout-
come Of sheep stealing caseswhich' have
been troubling the farmers OF Ohio and
washington counties within the last few
weeks. MCGEE was captured and is
now confined In the Washington county
fail, at Little Washington.
The shooting occurred at s:45 a. M,
in the central part of the town, and It
was witnessed by many people. Nc
Cannon was shot through both lungs,
the ball entering below the
right armpit, and after stag
gering "a few yards he dropped
dead. The tragedy created intense ex-
citement and the fleeing murderer was
captured after a thrilling chase In a
field on the West Virginia side of the
line. but not until he had fired several
shots from his revolver at his pursuers,
none Of which took effect, and realizing
that escape was impossible or that he
might be killed in return. MCGEE halted
in his flight and gave himself up to a
farmer, John Pogue, who had ridden
up to him on horseback. MCGEE ran
two miles.
AS stated, the affair was connected
with sheep stealing cases. Saturday
afternoon, Constable Early arrested
Cal Douglas in West Alexander, on sus-
picion that Dougal was the thief, and
as there is no lookup in the town, Dou-
gal was placed in room at Chaney's
hotel, under guard, until proper disDo-
sltlon could be made of the prisoner.
Dougal and MCGEE were close friends,
and the latter, who did odd jobs about
Rice's livery stable, which is in the rear
of the hotel, protested against Douglas
arrest McCammon was one Of the men
in the guard, and he was considerably
annoyed by McGee's interference, which
continued at intervals from Saturday
night until yesterday morning, and 1t is
said he threatened to fix" McCammon.
Leading to the Tragedy.
MCGEE kept saying there was no war
rant sworn out for Douglas arrest, and
his persistent interference accompanied
by insulting remarks, eliminated in the
lamented death of highly respected
citizen. At the hour mem
toned, Dcugal was being taken
out of the hotel to the street
on the way to Squire waltz's office, for
hearing on the charge Of stealing nine
sheep from S. A. Noble, of Washing
ton county, he previously having been
Identified by MIR. John schenk, OF the
firm Of F. schenk & Sons, OF this city
as the man who had sold him the sheep.
The fact that Dougnl had been confined
in the hotel for two days aroused the
interest In ouch affairs characteristic of
small communities, consequently a
large crowd had assembled in the street
in front OF the hotel. MCGEE again
became obnoxious to the special con-
stables, and It is said, stepped up to
McCammon with impairment remarks.
BY some, II is said, Mccammon drew
his mace as II to strike MCGEE. where
upon the latter drew his revolver and
fred point blank at McCammon. The
ball entered McCammon's right side.
lodging in his left side and passing
through both lungs. Death was al
most instantaneous.
There were two Wheeling men near
the scene, Mr. schenk and Mr.. William
Erslkine, the lawyer, both Of whom had
gone out TO West Alexander on the 4
o'clock train yesterday morning, on DIFF
ferent missions. Mr.. schenk was sum-
moned by telephone message Sunday
afternoon to identify the man from
whom he had bought the sheep, which
he had since learned were stolen. Mr..
schenk picked Dougal out in the crowd
without hesitation.
Local Interest is given to the murder
from other phases. Dougal is wanted
in this county on the charge Of stealing
sheep from D. I. Atkinson, Of Roney's
Point, whose farm is near the state
line, and the murdered man was,
brother Of j. Parker McCammon. of the
Island, travelling salesman for the
wholesale grocery Arm of Waterhouse
Bros. Another brother, Lester Mccain
mon, is a we'll known resident of Poto-
mac, this county. The deceased. who
lived In West Alexander, leaves n
widow, for whom there'is general SYM
patty in her sad bereavement. He was
about fifty years Of age.
The Sheep TheftS.
ON Saturday, Sheriff Richards and
Chief ClemanS were informed of the
theft Of sheep from Mr. Atkinson, and
on investigation they learned that the
sheep had been sold to the hrm of Wei
mer & Son, OF Fulton, who had given
their order to ~. Robinson" This is
believed to be fictitious name, and
that Dougal was the man. 1t was fur
Their learned that he secured wagon
from otterson, the Second ward livery
man. on Friday before he returned on
Saturday morning. when he got the
wagon his wife and child rode away
with him, but they were not with him
when he returned. He explained their
absence by saying they would come In
later on the West Liberty hack. Incl
dentally II may be added that Dougal