davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
FIRST DEGEEE MURDER
THE JDRY'S VERDICT.
NO RECOMMENDATION OF MERCY
IN THE CASE OF SAMUEL
SHEPHERD.
IT MEANS THAT HE MUST HANG
FOR THE BRUTAL KILLING OF HIS
WIFE AND HER LITTLE SON
AT PEWEE.

Special TO the Register
ELIZABETH, w. Va, November Is.
Samuel Shepherd was tonight found
guilty Of murder in the first degree
without recommendation for mercy.
He was charged with the murder OF
his wife and stepson, at Peewee, sew
eral months ago. The supposed motive
for the crime was to secure about
$4,000 which had been left to the muir
dered persons by a relative.
They were killed while in bed and
the bodies were discovered lying in
pools of blood two days later.
Shepherd has maintained an air OF
indifference ever since the murder was
discovered. He washed the blood from
the axe with which they were killed
and chopped wood with 1t, and mani
tested greater interest in feeding his
stock than in caring for the dead.
He killed a man several years ago
and the verdict tonight gives him a
record of three murders.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
COUNSEL FOR STATE HAS
SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.
A STRONG CIRCUMsTANTIAL CASE
SAID TO HAVE BEEN MADE
OUT.
A TIN BUCKET AND A BOTTLE
TO BE USED TO BACK UP CHARGE
OF MURDER AGAINST MRS.
VAN LEW.

Special to the Register.
VAN VERT, O.. November 16.-Some
sensational information in connection
with the murder of Alice Hammell,
September IL, is in the hands of the
counsel for the State.
Alice Hamnell worked as secretary
ing the office of the Home Guard" q
local insurance society. Shortly be-
fore the murder 1t Is alleged Mrs. Van
Lew went into the Office and met Miss
Roa Hester, an employee. Mrs. Van
Liew asked for Miss Hammell. who
was out. She appeared disappointed,
1t is charged, and proceeded to de-
nounce Miss Hammeil vigorously. She
did not accuse Miss Hammell of any
thing specific. Miss Hester told Miss
Hammell, but the latter only laughed.
Later, it is said, Miss Hester receiv-
ed a letter from Mrs. Van Liew to
call. She did not so, as she said she
was afraid. Joseph Dunlap, friend,
accompanied her later to Mrs. Van
Liew's, and said the latter told Miss
Hester she did not want her to repeat
what she had said about Miss Hammell.
On the night OF the murder and I'M
mediately after it, Sfbley Neel, a half
brother of the unfortunate girl, found
on the lawn bottle of chloroform
and the corroded tin bucket which had
held the acid These are held as evil
dence.
The State will try to prove that Mrs.
Van Lew went into Noel McDonalds
drug store on the day preceding the
crime, and asked one Of the druggists
what drug it was that was used to do
figure people. She was told oil OF Wit
riol, and she walked out without buy
ing. The following day she went into
Pencils drug store, it is claimed, and
asked for oil Of vitriol. She said she
wanted it for disinfecting purposes.
When asked how much, she said she
wanted % or 80 cents worth, and she
received half pint, and returned later
and got the same amount again. She
also got bottle of antikamnia and
chloroform. She was told they were
dangerous.
The bottle found by young Neel on
the. lawn of his mothers home was
identified by Pencil, it is alleged, as
the bottle he sold Mrs. Van Liew.
On Monday Judge Mooney will hear
the motion to quash the indictment
against Mrs. Van LEW for murder in
the first degree.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
SOCIETY YOUNG MEN DO
NOT relish PROSPECT
THAT THEY HAY DE CALLED AZ
WITNESSES IN THE SELLS
DIVORCE CAsE.
THEY CALLED UPON FLORENCE,
MORE OF sELLS's DETECTIVES ON
THE STAND AT YESTERDAYS
SESSION.

Special to the Register.
COLUMBUS, Ohio. November H.
The divorce case OF Sells va. Sells ia
chancery court was devoid OF excite
ment to-day.
Just before adjournment Henry
Ehret, one of Detective MRhony's as
sistants in the spotting business, testi-
fed that quite a number of young soci-
ETY. men called frequently a. the Sells
residence. He said they were mostly
young gentlemen of Is 10 %. He men,
toned Louis Hoster, Harry Crum, Char
les Winterringer and Tom Hardesty.
He said there were others, and that
they were quite Numerous.
1t was perfectly well known to all in
the court room rhSt the early evening
calls of young society men were upon
Miss Florence Sells, the daughter Of
the house. who is one OF the most popt-
lar and esteemed OF the young bellies
OF the city. But In spite OF the general
knowledge OF the perfectly innocent
character OF these calls the fntlmation
of the attorney for the defense. which
was made after this evidence OF Ehreta
was brought out, caused some trepida-
ton among the society youth OF the
city.
The prospect of being called as a
witness of any sort in this case Is not
viewed enjoyably by anybody In this
town.
Ehret, who Is now saloon keeper.
also told OF Mrs Sells one evening
coming out of the house, walking up
to him and taking good look at him.
and then going right back TO the house.
The witness said that on several OF the
nights he was on watch Mrs. Sells came
out and inspected the surroundings and
that a few minutes afterwards Bott
came out.
John Mahoney, the Notwithstanding.
said his bill for spotting Bot and
Lyons, and others from October 2S ~
December s, 1899, was 81, 100. On one
expedition to FIndlay he ha6 found
working on the case Detective Beard,
who Is on the city force, and Ia sup
posed to give all his time 10 the city
in return for a liberal salary.
Besides his own men, Mahony saI11
the only detective employed by Mr..
Sells was an employe OF his circus
named Smoot. Among other people
whom Mahony's men spotted, was
Chambers Starr, the elephant trainer.
who made deposition for the defense.
which has not yet been offered In the
trial that he had been hired to poison
Mr.. Sells and Mr. Bot, but that his
nerve failed. Mahony denied warmly
that he had offered to sell out Sells TO
the defense.
To secure admission to-day to the
crowded court room, one man offered
Door Keeper Baker lottery ticket, and
another tried to palm of on him a
fake subpoena.
Court adjourned until Monday.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
DAYTON SAYS "ME TO"
To Senator SCOTS Proposition to Re-
duce Southern Representation in
Congress.

duce Southern Representation in
Congress.
Special to the Register
WASHINGTON, November 49,
Among the rank and file of the Re-
publlcans who have come to Washing
ton since the election and visited the
White House, the talk of cutting down
the South's apportionment is popular
The more prominent leaders, however,
do not commit themselves.
Representative Dayton, of West Vir-
ginia, is strongly in favor of reducing
representation in those Southern States
that have disfranchised the negro. Il
am from the South myself" said Mr..
Dayton, but | believe the representa-
ton of some of the Southern States
ought to be cut down. We ought to
bring the South to an honest basis in
the matter Of franchise and get rid OF
the dishonest element. / am in favor
OF basing the representation upon the
percentage OF population disfranchised.
OF course, / mean to reduce the repre-
sentation in those Southern States that
have passed constitutional amend
ments DISTINGUISHING the negro. II
these States have determined to relieve
themselves of members of Congress,
we cannot make objection and will help
them out"
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
GENERAL NILES SPEAKS
FOR MUCH LARGER ARMY.
WANTS ONE SOLDIER FOR EACH
THOUSAND OF POPULA-
TION.
VOLUNTEERS NOT EFFICIENT.
DEMAND FOR TROOPS AT REMOTE
STATIONS HAS DEPLETED
FORCE AT HOME.
VOLUNTEERS NoT EFFICIENT.

WASHINGTON, November 1.-the
feature of the annual report of Lieut..
Gen. Miles, commanding the army, is
a chapter dealing with the need for
general reorganization Of the military
service. In regard to this question, he
says:
THE events of the past two years
and half have resulted IN a condition
that the nation must prepare to meet.
The need for an efficient and well or
ganized land force for an indefinite
period in the future is most abvious
and the organization OF such a force
cannot be wisely avoided. There are
weighty reasons why such services
as are now demanded of the army can
not be performed by temporary Or
ganization."
Gen. Miles points out that the prac-
teal limitation of service OF the voiun-
teers to one year in the Philippines
makes this a most expensive practice,
necessitating double transfer OF troops
and adding enormously to the cost OF
the organization. He also points out
the need Of a-reserve force for the re-
lief of the soldiers who serve in the
tropics, declaring that the regiments
that have so far served more than TWO
years at unhealthy stations should be
relieved.
Gen. Miles renews his recommends
ton that the permanent force OF the
army should be one man for each thou
sand Of population OF the United states.
He submits a draft of a bill emoody1ng
his views and recommendations on
army reorganization.
The report shows that the urgent de-
mands for troops for remote stations
has reduced the number in the United
States to a much smaller force than
has been maintained at an time our
ing the past thirty-nine years. In facC,
says General Miles, the force has been
so much reduced that at the present
time there are not one-fourth enough
troops to properly care for and man
the Notifications which have been
erected on the seacoast at an expendl-
ture of nearly $55, 000 900. In addition
to the artillery deficiency, the present
home force is not sufficient to occupy
the interior garrisons properly, or to
protect life and property on the western
frontier, and what is still more seri-
Gus, the government is left without
troops to relieve those who have had
too much tropical service.
Touching upon the Chinese campaign,
General Miles compares the American
contingent in the Pekin expedition with
those of other nationalities, and says:
1T would be difficult to name any occaS-
ion on which troops engaged in action
were better commanded; were more
steady under fire, or where they made the
soldiers sacrifice with more unselfsh pa
triot.sm, or rendered a higher tribute to
the honor of their country"
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
THE CARS CONDITION.

ST. PETERSBURG, November 16.-
The following bulletin on the Cars
condition was issued at 10 a. m. to-
day:
His majesty has passed satisfac-
tory day. Last evening his tempera-
ture was 1924, pulse 70.
His majesty slept fairly well during
the night. Temperature this morning
1905, pulse SIS.
General condition very satisfac-
tory -
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
GIRL CHARGED WITH THEFT.
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
PARKERSBURG, w. Va, November
16.--Mary Corners, aged t6, who has
been to the reform school once and Is
now out on parole, is now accused Of
stealing household goods from the resi-
dence of r e. Blaser to the amount OF
about $40. The goods we're found at
her home. Her little sister says that
Mary has frequently made her take a
wheelbarrow and help to carry homo
goods stolen from other places. She
is suspected OF great deal OF the
thieving that has been going on here
recently.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
JUDGE THOMAS J. SHAW
TO PROSECUTE LYNCHERS.

Failure of the Grand Jury to Act Eas
Not Deferred Him From Acting.
GREENSBORO, N. c., November 16.
Judge Thomas j. Shaw, of the Superior
Court, has issued bench warrants for
six men who are charged with having
been implicated in the recent lynching
of a negro charged with killing a white
man near Rutherford. The warrants
were issued after the grand jury had
failed to return true bills, Judge Shaw
summoning three Of the Jurors as wit
neSSeS
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
ATTACK ON EMPEROR WILLIAM.
Woman Named Selma Schnnpke
Threw Meat Axe at His Royal
HiEhness-%issea Him.

BRESLAU. November 1s.-To-day as
Emperor William and a local prince were
racks. or another woman named Selma
Schnapke, who was standing in the front
tier of spectators, threw meat chopper
a the Emperor She missed him. but hit
the carriage, knocking the paint from g
small spot. The Emperor continued 70
greet the bystanders pleasantly. though
he turned pale. The woman keeps small
shop. and is believed to be insane. When
she hurled the meat chopper at the king
the populace fell upon her but the police
prevented her suffering serious harm.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
OFFICERS INSTALLED.

Special to the Register.
FAIRMONT, w. Va, November To-
The following officers of the Mononga-
hela Canton No. 3, l. 0. O. f., of this
city, were installed at meeting last
evening by A. G.Heiley, department
commander of Patriarch Militant, of
Parkersburg: Captain, 0. J. Fleming;
lieutenant, G. A. Vincent; ensign, Geo.
Eliason: clerk, l.. c. Jones; account
ant, G. E. Lester. After the lodge bus
mess had been concluded, banquet
was given at the home Of Thos. c. Hell
mick in honor of Mr.. G. A. Kelley.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
WILL MEET AT HUNTINGTON.

Special 10 the Register.
PARKERSBURG, W. Va, November
16.-The Masonic Grand Lodge decid-
ed late last night that the next session
of the Grand Lodge would be held in
Huntington. Parkersburg was the
favorite> with most of the delegates,
but lost by few votes because the
Grand Lodge met here last year.
There was some talk Of making Par
kersburg the permanent meeting place,
but il was not done at this time
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
SIX PERSONS KILLED
In "a Collision Near Oil City, Pu.-BOtb
Trims Completely Wrecked.

OIL CITY, Pa. November 16.-By col
lison between a Pennsylvania freight and
a Lake Shore passenger tonight, both
engines were demolished, all of the pas
senger coaches left the tracks and forty
oil and coal cars were deraile6.
The killed are Thomas Sutton. of Ashta-
buIa; John Kane, 80. of New Castle; En-
gineer Pitzer. 40, New Castle; two male
passengers and the newsboy, names I'M
known, dead beneath the wreckage.
Conductor James Padden. OF Oil CITY,
is hurt Internally Engineer Nathan Sem
ter has both legs and left hip broken, and
Nm. Marvin. of Andover. Ohio has left
arm broken and head and face cut. The
latter was thrown off the train over a
thirty-foot embankment. but walked two
miles to seek relief for the injured.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
OLDEST LETTER CARRIER DEAD.

NEW YORK, November 1S.-Charles
A. Tyler, the oldest letter carrier in the
world, is dead. Mr. Tyler. who was
about so years old. had been in the
employ Of the postofice department for
SIS years He died OF heart disease last
night in Brooklyn He was appointed
by President Polk, August I, 1S45, and
has been since then until yesterday In
continuous service.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
GRIGGs TO RETIRE.

WASHINGTON, November 1e.-At
the cabinet meeting to-day Attorney
General Griggs made the formal an
nouncement that on the fourth OF
March he would retire from the cab
met Mr.. Griggs viii leave the Presi-
dents official family for purely business
reasons.
The esignatsou will not take effect
until March 4th. and It Is thought that
all the other members, with the pos
sible exception Of the Secretary OF War.
will retain their positions
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
NEW PLATE PRICE.

PITTSBURG, Pa, November 10
The manufacturers Of plates who form
ed an agreement recently, have issued
their revised prices, embracing the in
crease ordered at the New York meet
ing last week. In the new price list
shell plates are dropped entirely. The
term is hereafter to be regarded as OBJ
solete. The new price on tank plate
is s1.35 per 100 pounds for steel over
Ia inches thick, and s140 for tank
plate above that thickness.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
THE BURDENS WE BEAR.

Internal Revenue Taxes Larger Than
for Amy Year But One in COuntry's
History.
WASHINGTON, November 16.-The
annual report Of the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue shows collections
exceeded but once. The receipts were
1926, 316, 107, being s10.316.107 in excess
of the estimated amount and $21,S31,-
534 more than during the previous
year.
Commissioner Wilson estimates re-
ceipts from all sources for the current
year will approximate 1926, 900, GOO.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
a BOY BADLY HURT.
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
FAIRMONT, w Va, November To-
Alex Whitney, while out hunting yes
terday with a friend, met with quite
serious accident. Mr.. Whitney was
STOPPING over to gather up the game
which he had shot. In some way the
gun was discharged, striking him in
the arm and shoulder. He was taken
to Cooks hospital, where his wounds
We're dressed. He was is years old.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
SMILED BEFORE AND AFTER.

CAMDEN, N. J., Nov. 16.-Robert r..
Hill. who was convicted recently OF
the murder Of his wife. Edith Nay Hill.
was sentenced by Supreme Court JUS
tice Garrison to-day 70 be hanged on
Wednesday, January 10. The prisoner
smiled as he entered the court room,
and smiled as he bowed 10 the court
after being sentenced.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
FOR AN ARMY OF 100000 MEN
JUST AS BRYAN PREDICTED.

The Reorganization Bill Practically
Completed and Ready for Con-
SreSs.
WASHINGTON, November 16.-Sen-
ator Hawley, of Connecticut, chairman
of the committee on military affairs,
called at the White House to-day to
pay his respects to the President. He
said that the military committee prob
ably would assemble about week in
advance Of the meeting of Congress,
that the draft of the military reorgan-
ization bill had practically been COM
pleted and that a bill of some sort
would be passed at the present session,
as both the President and most Of the
members of Congress were anxious to
avoid an extra session. He thought
the armys strength would be at least
100, GOO men.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
NOT FAVORED BY M'KINLEY.
Said That He Is Opposed to Scheme
For Reducing Southern Represent
fnfinn.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. November To-
The opinion is growing among public men
who are in the confidence of the President
that he will oppose any movement look
ing TO a reduction of the Congress ional
representation of the Southern States on
account of charges of disfranchisement of
colored voters. The President is said TO
be opposed TO reviving iil-feeiing. which
he thinks would be the result of a bill
thus touching the Souths suffrage.
On account of the Presidents attitude
there is a growing opinion that legislation
looking to the reduction OF the Southern
representation will not be pressed by
party leaders in Congress.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
CHARACTERS In A NOVEL.

SACRAMENTO. Cal. November l6.-
Monsigneur T.. ]. Capei has been be-
queathed by the late Lord Butte Of Eng
land, an income of $500 per year for the
rest of his life. In Lord Beaconsfleldss
novel, Lothian Monsigneur Capel Is
portrayed under the name of Monsigneur
Catchy. Lord Butte himself figuring IN the
work as. Lothair. For several years Mgr.
Capel has been living In retirement at
Arno, In this county.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

LONDON. November 16.-Julian T.
B, Arnold, the son of Sir Edwin Arnold,
was brought up on remand at Bow
street police court to-day, charged with
misappr0pIiating trust funds, on which
charge he was recently extradited from
California. He was committed for
trial.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
GOT BUT LITTLE.

sANDTsKY, Ohio. November 1s.
-Four men battered down the doors 81
Jacob Braeimir's home. near here. dur
ing the night. Braelmir and bia wife.
aged and infirm. were badly beaten ard
compelled 70 show the men where they
had hidden their money. Only a small
sum was secured.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
THE MEN REIHsTATED.

SHAMOKIN, Pa. Nov. 1.-THE 300
men and boys employed at the Colbert
colIiery, who went on strike Monday
because several OF the mine workers
were discharged for attending a fun
eral, to-day returned 10 work The com.
pany reinstated the discharged en-
ploYes.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
TO BURY HUSBANDS FEET.
Special TO the Register

Special 70 the Register.
PARKERsBURG, w. Va. November
16.-Mrs. Jack Daughcrty. widow OF
the Ohio River brakeman who was run
over by train at New Martinsville
several weeks ago and lost bis feet,
afterwards dying In a hospital here,
was here to-day to secure the feet and
take them 10 Marietta for interment Ia
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17

LIMON, Col, November TO-
Chained to a railroad rail set firm
ly in the ground on the exact spot
where his fiendish crime was COM
mftted, Preston Porter, Jr., or as
he was Familiarity known, John
Porter, this evening paid terrible
penalty for his deed.
1t was 623 o'clock when the
father Of the murdered girl touch
ed the match to the fuel which had
been piled around the negro and
twenty minutes later a last con-
vulsive shudder told that life was
extinct.
What agony the doomed boy suf-
fered Whine the flames shrlveled up
his flesh could only be guessed from
the terrible contortions of his face
and the cries he gave from time to
time.
The executioners, who numbered
about three hundred citizens Of
Lincoln county, had not the least
semblance of the ordinary. mob.
Their every act was deliberate
and during all the preparations as
we'll as throughout the sufferings OF
tle negro hardly an unnecessary
word was spoken. Grimly they
stood in a circle about the fire until
the body was entirely consumed
and then quietly they took their
way back to Limon, whence they
departed for their homes shortly
afterwards.
Preston Porter did not seem to
realize the awful punishment that
he was destined to undergo. AS he
had exhibited indifference to the
enormity OF his crime, so he SEEM
ed to lack all understanding of it's
terrible consequences.
For more than an hour, while
preparations for his execution were
in progress, he
STOOD MUTE AND SULLEN
among the avengers. When every
thing was ready he walked to the
stake with a firm step, pausing as
he reached the circle of broken
boards to kneel in prayer.
He was allowed to take his time.
He arose and placed his back to
the iron stake and half a dozen
men wound chains about his body
and limbs. Kerosense oil was ap-
piled to the wood and after a brief
pause, Richard w. Frost, the father
OF little Louise Frost, whose cruel
ly mutilated body was found one
week ago on that very spot, applied
q match.
For a moment but little flicker
ing flame arose. Then the oil blaz-
ed up, sparks flew into the air and
the wood began to crackle.
Almost instantly the negro's
trousers caught fire. Even though
the flesh must have been scorched,
he did not utter sound.
The flames crept slowly upward
on his clothing, the sparks flew up
in cloud OF pale smoke. Porter
turned his head and a frightful ex-
preston changed his face.
With a sudden convulsive tug
ging he stretched his head as far
from the rapidly ineeasing flames
as possible and uttered a cry of
pain.
"Oh, my God, let me go, men.
I've got something more to tell you.
Please let me so. Oh, my God, my
Cod
IN TERRIBLE SCREECHES
these words, the first he had ut
tered aloud, came from the negro.
A terrible tugging at the chains,
a succession of awful groans and
screams, the negro's agony was at
last breaking his sullen compos-
ure.
Not an oath escaped him, bu: he
begged and pleaded to be shot.
Suddenly the rope holding his
hands burned through. Then
arms, head and shoulders slipped
through the chains.
For an instant the body stood
erect. the arms were raised in sup