Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-06-26
CROCkET SHOT
AT HIGHLANDS
Sergeant Clapp Still Away
Sentiment, Agc.nst
Him.

Richlands, Va, June "a. - Editor
NEws.-The shooting OF young King
Crockett at Richlands last Saturday
morning, is still the topic Of conversa-
ton. The citizens OF the town gather
in groups on the street, and express
themselves in no uncertain language
for and against the officer who did the
shooting. Many OF the citizens OF the
town bitterly denounce the shooting as
"cold olooded murder" and such like
expressions. There are, however, a
large number Of the citizens who justify
the officer, claiming that he was only
discharging his duty against violators
Of the law of the State OF Virginia, and
OF the town Of Richlands. And so it
goes. 1t Is said that public sentiment
against the officer, which was so bitter
at first, Is gradually suhsiding aud
changing.
The following are the facts OF the
unfortunate occurrence, as gathered
from the authorities, and others who
are familiar with the facts In the case.
The three young men, Crockett, Ia
bor and Ruble, reached Richlands on
freight train about o'clock Saturday
morning, from Bluefleld. They had
extra clothing, lunch baskets, dyna-
mite, pistols and whiskey, and seemed
t. come prepared for a general fishing
excursion. They went at once to the
river, opposite and in front OF the town,
and went in, and began to throw dyna-
mite and shoot, in the river. Clapp,
the Sergeant Of the town, was sent by
Mayor Higginbotham to see about it,
and stop it. Clapp went, and asked
them to stop. They denied using dyna-
mite, and said they were shooting tur-
ties. Clap returned, and said he could
not arrest without warrant. About
eleven o'clock complaint was made
that the men were still shooting dyna-
mite and shooting. Mayor Higginboth-
am then issued n warrant for the young
men, and put it in the hands of SaIge-
ant Clapp to serve.
The boys were found about OF n
mile below town, and arrested, and the
party started back TO town. One OF the
party, young Ruble, was barefooted,
and while he was putting his shoes on
the other two men started on ahead,
and had gotten some distance 6y the
time Clapp and Ruble were ready TO
move. and, and were walking pretty
fast. The officer called to them to stop,
and repeated the order four times
When they failed to obey the order,
Clapp fired his gun three times over
their heads to intimidate them, but
when still refused to obey he. (Clapp)
fired aiming, he says, to shoot one of
them in the leg His aim was too high,
and Crockett received the bullet in his
back as stated.
The three men were then brought to
town. DR.. Williams was hastily called,
and rendered medical and surgical aid.
During the excitement Tabor and
Ruble escaped.
Sergeant Clapp went 10 his home,
as he said, to change his clothes, and
not returning, warrant was Issued for
him at 1927 o'clock, by the Mayor,
and with considerable difficulty the
warrant placed in the hands OF two
citizens to be served, but Clapp could
not be found.
There was good deal of wild talk
and condemnation OF his action, and it
is said, threats were made, which may
account for Clapp leaving. Many of the
citizens are OF the opinion that the of
ficer will be in coon, and give himself
up.
Charles E. Clapp is a young married
man, about 80 years old, and has lived
in this town for several years, and is
highly respected as a gentleman and
citizen. His brother Henry is night
operator here. He Is brother of Mrs
+. j. Miles, wife Of Captain Z. j.
Miles, the efficient agent at Taze-
well. He has been Sergeant here for
about three months, and is said to have
been a very efficient officer, the best,
perhaps, the town has ever had.
Mrs. VIM. p. Boggess has been very
i'll, but is better at this writing.
There was a great deal OF shooting
and some other acts Of lawlessness in
town ON Saturday night, owing to the
absence Of the town sargeant.
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