Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-06-10


Charles McGruder, well-known col
ored man, shot John Craven, also col
ored. at Martins Ferry, about 1 O'Clock
yesterday. The story as to the shooting
is much mixed up, and several versions
are told by those present.
The shooting was learned of by ON
Ger Campbell, who is on day duty, from
the watchn1an at McDermott's tool
works. who telephoned that some one
had been shot near their works. Officer
Campbell Immediately left for the scene,
and found that John Craven had been
shot on the river bank, just below the
end of the trestle of the ". & L. e.
road. Craven told the officer that he
had been shot by Charles McGruder. and
the officer Immediately left to hunt the
man, and deputized George McAninch
to assist him.
The officer went to McGruder's home.
on Second street, and his wife said he
was not at home, but nevertheless the
officer walked on in and found his man
standing in corner, and when told
he was under arrest he refused to 90
without warrant, saying he had done
nothing to be arrested for, but the oficer
insisted, and then a scuffle ensued,
which resulted in the landing of Nc
Gruder behind the bars. He is a pow
erful man, and it required the assist
ance of McAnineh to take him. The Of
ficer did not use his mace. and the
prisoner was not hurt, although the Of
ficer received several scratches during
the trouble
McGruder claimed he was innocent,
and did not know why he was arrest
ed. When seen by a Register reporter
he stated that he had been home all
day, ard had nothing against Craven;
had not seen him during the day, and
was innocent and could prove it. He
was very careful Of what he said, and
did not care to talk, except to say he
knew nothing Of the affair. He stated
that he was married to a white woman
and had no children, and was not color
ed, as his mother was a full-blooded
German and his father was half Indian
and half negro. McGruder has been in
much trouble, and is considered bad
man.
The story of the affair is best told
by two colored boys who were on the
scene, being here hunting work. They
gave the names of James Packer and
Henry James. Packer stated that he
was talking to Craven and McGruder In
front of George Clifford's table, and that
McGruder pulled out his revolver and
pointed it toward Craven, and that he
ran. Later he met James, and they
went to the river bank, and found Cra-
ven and McGruder with two other col
ored fellows, and that they were drink
ing, and after emptying half pint bot
tie Craven said: "Wait, boys, will be
back soon''
During this time McGruder had ia
ken off his shoes, and a dicker was
started as to selling or trading shoes,
and when Craven returned he had more
whiskey, and asked all to haye drink.
He told McGruder to put on his shoes,
and as the latter was pulling on one
shoe he fell backward from the tie he
was sitting on. He soon got up, pulled
out his revolver and commenced to
flourish it and shoot across the river
Then he turned and commenced shoot
ing into the crowd, Craven saying:
Don't shoot; we will get arrested"
but just then he fell, as the ball of a
32-calibre cartridge hit him just below
the right shoulder blade, and passing
through his body, struck rib, breaking
it, and glancing down the lung, and is
supposed to have entered the stom-
ach.
No one else was hit, and MeGruder
ran, but came back, put his shoes on,
and then went home In all he fired five
shots. emptying the gun.
The other men carried Craven to his
home, and DIR. Ong was called and rem
dered the necessary medical aid Later
DR.. Vosburg was called in, and both
pronounced the wound dangerous one
and said that his recovery was in doubt.
AT a late hour last evening Craven was
resting well. The revolver was secured,
and found to contain four loaded and
one empty cartridge. Some of the col
ored people made threats as to what
they would do, but Marshal Erwin took
all precautions.
Both of these men married white wo-
men. and Craven is harmless man, but
his wife stated that she hated McGruder
as he was bad man, and it is thought
there was some old trouble between
them. Officer Campbell and Deputy Nc
Aninch had hard and dangerous man
to arrest, as he boosted that "no---