The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-02-21
Murder Done
At Flemington,
White Manshot and Killed by .
Negro ina sar-room 5rawI.

In drunken row about l o'clock
Sunday ;mornI g in speakeasy near
Flemirgton, Peter. Crynes. white, was
shot and instantly killed and Paul Nc
Phalin, negro. was also shctthrough
the stomach He was very seriously
wounded, and his injuries may prove
fatal. Fry Mayfiesd, another negro,
WAS also mixed up in the fight. Nc
Phalin was taken to the jail at Graf
ton Sunday evening.
All OF the parties to the trouble
were miners employed In the mines of
the Flemington Coal Company. All
had been drinking at the speakeasy
all Saturday night and wsre in a
0uarrelsome mood, when Crynes
started out after revolver. He had
been gone but short time when he
returned and was met in the doorway
OF the place by the negroes and both
sides at once opened fire. Quite a
crowd was present in the saloon at
the time, and while several persons
had narrow escapes from flying bull
lets, no one else was hurt.
Soon after the murder was com
mitted, the negro made his escape
and went to Bridgeport, a few miles
this side Of Flemington. The author
tiles surmsed that he wouldattempt
to escape to another state, and the
descriptionof the fugitive was tele-
graphed along the B. & o. When the
negro boarded the train he was at
once recognized by Capt. Pickett, who
telegraphed to Chief landslide at
Parkersburg. When the accommoda-
ton arrived at Parkersburg at ll:lO
the negro stepped from the train, and
was at once taken into custody. He
protested that he had done nothing to
be arrested for, but nevertheless, he
was locked up.
When taken to police headquarters
he admitted that he had been at
Flemington but denied that he had
been in any saloon row. He stated
that he had been employed as a coal
miner but had tired of the place and
was on his way to his old home in
Lexington, Kentucky. His name, he
said, was John Brown. but letters
found on bis person were addressed to
Fry Mayfeld, and it was found later
that this was his name. When
searched big Colts revolver was
found in his pocket. In another pocket
was found pair of dice and a rabbits
foot.
The negro appears to be about thir.
ty-fiye years of age, and is q desperate
looking character. He is very dark
and his face is badly pox-marked.
AS soon as the arrest was made the
authorities at Pennington we're COM
municated with, and in answer they
stated that the negro was the cue
wanted.
According to the story Of the officers
at Flemington and Grafton Mayfield
is the one who killed Crynes, and he
will haveto answer to the charge OF
murder. The story as they tell it is
as Follows: Iayfield, Crynes and Nc
Phalin were in a speakeasy where they
had been drinking. They we're play
ing cards and all were in a quarrel
some mood. Crynes accused Nc.
Phalin Of cheating and at the same
| time pulled a gun and pointed 1t at
the negro. The negro instantly whip
ped out a revolver but before he could
shoot, Crynes shot him in the stomach.
Maytield then took part in the gun
play to defend his friend and shot
Cryncs, killing him almost instantly.
Several shots were fired but no one
was injured except Crynes and Nc
Pnalin,
! Crynes was a native of England and
leaves afamiiy in that country. He