Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-07

. 4. st 81
scented he asked the groom TO walk with
him and see the moon, which was Just
rising in the east. The two walked out,
Merryman leading the way. which led
10 the old corn crib, where the grind
stone stood, upon which both had seen
tho farm hands grind the axes with
which to fell the great forest about the
home OF Minter.
Merryman had long beer absent from
the county. but lie we'll knew where to
lind the ,grindstone.
de made very unreasonable request
OF Mt. Jones. when he asked him to
turn the crank while he sharpened his
knife. go
me request was complied with, and
.,e o'aae was made very sharp. after
"m,ch they returned to the house.
ne hddier was ready for the next set.
Mr.. Jones sought his bride IN har
iomespun dress). and Mr.. Merryman
having obtained the permission to
dance with the beautiful Miss Talley IA
cousin or the brfde), took position on
opposite sides, when the dance began
MURDERED HIS RIVAL.
AS they met in the centre of the floor
Merryman drew the knife (Which had
been made so sharp by the aid of Jones)
and plunged it into his late rival in the
presence of that happy throng, and split
the life's blood OF him who Just few
moments before was so happy, and
whose pathway seemed to be ssrewn
with fragrant flowers. and whose lira
was to move on like the placid waters
OF Cashmerc''s sunny vale.
AS Jones fell to the floor Merryman.
with knife In hand red with the blood
OF the murdered man, cut his way to
the door and, leaping upon his horse,
made good his escape.
STRONG men fell back panic stricken,
while ladies tainted and fell to the floor.
The dying groans OF the murdered man
were never forgotten by those who were
at the marriage.
From that hour the daughter of the
clergyman was so affected she never
spoke again OH subjects with which she
was so familiar The writer had seen
this unfortunate woman. who lived close
oy the old house for more than three
score and ten years. but death has long
since relieved her Of her mental suffer-
ing. +
The writer has seen the dark spot said
10 be the blood which was split more
than n century ago
l nave often visited the hospitable
nome of the late Robert r. Page, whose
heirs still own the estate in which the
murder was committed.
The Governor offered reward of one
hundred pounds for his arrest, and he
was captured in the mountains of Yir-
ginia (now West Virginia).
he was brought back to Cumberland
county and tried by Marshall Booker,
lGentleman Justicc), and by him sent
on to the County Court. and from there
10 the District Court OF Prince Edward.
Some years since. with the aid of the
iate Major Fl. r. Hooper. who was at
the time, clerk of Prince Edward coun-
~, found the names OF the jury. but
they have been lost and, therefore. I
cannot give the names.
Inc jury found him guilty of murder
ano ascertained his punishment at five
years In the State penitentiary. The
records showed that he was ordered to
be held In the Jail of the county for n
Few days. when the penitentiary house
would be completed and ready for re-
ceDton.
SO SO on the second day of January. 1900
Ihomas Merryman, of Cumberland
county. was registered at the State
penltentlary. and thus ended the trial
or one OF the most brutal murders ever
committed in Virginia.
JOHN a. BOOKER.