The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-02-03
AIR or MYSTERY
Surrounding the Sensational
Warrington Affair.
0fficers Wont Talk about It-Bearty
Said to Rave Confessed Fafrmont-
ers Implicated : Letters Sent X. 4.
Floyd Resemble the Biackshirs Let
ter and Denial made by Beatty.


ter and Denial made By Beatty.
There is an air of mystery Surround
ing the proceedings in the sensational
Mannington affair in which an at
tempt was made to extert the sum Of
AZ, 500 from Mr.. B. 4. Blackshire, one
Of the leading residents Of this sec
tian. The officers who have been ac-
tive in the matter and In the arrest Of
Ed Beatty, who Is In Pxrkersburg
held In default Of $50 bail, charg-
ed as being the man who held up
Harry Blackstone, who was supposed
to have been carrying the money to
the gang on the lonely road. They
refuse absolutely to give o1t say Ia
formation anent the details Of the
capture, or as to the confession which,
ii is now known TO certainty that
Beatty made.
1t has been learned from an out
side, but thoroughly reliable source,
that the credit OF the capture Is due
chiefly to two men, but principally to
Fairnouter, who is known to be
one Of the best man hunters Ia the
section. His name, upon the request
of all ooHeefned In the matter Is with
held.
1t is said that this man, assisted BY
the Warrington officer, got the cue
about the peculiar tracks in the snow,
trailed them to Beatty's bone, and
finally pointed,out the man who made
- s~ocfys "a the srovarp m ant aAarara
giving them positive Information that
be was the man they wanted.
According to reports from Manning
ton, 4. is row thoroughly believed
that Beatty is the man who wrote the
letter to Mr.. Blackshire. The Daily
Record has printed . story to the ef-
feet that the Blackshire letter was
compared by an expert TO that written
to another man by Beatty, and that
the handwriting was very similar.
Are there others implicated In the
affair? This question 10 asked each
hour at Warrington but no one has
given definite answer.
One story has it that Beatty in his
confession named persons who were
to have assisted him, and who were
to get their share OF the money. This
runner has it that q Fairmonter was
Dne of the gang.
Another rumor, from apparently al
good source, states that Beatty's only
accomplish was a woman who will be
arrested. Why she has not already
been placed 10 custody is not known.
Word from Parkersburg this moru-
ing states that Beatty was made IA
vorabie impression there, notwith'
standing the fact that he was sent u
Jail to await the action Of the grand
jury. Some thought there that be
should have been given another hear
| ing after he had secured the witAesse:
that he desired.
Another question that Is being free
ly discussed is whether or net those
implicated in this latest sensation
had any cobnectisn with the murder
of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert p. Floyd dur
ing Decem Der rear ago.
The officers have been Informed BY
a young man who read the letter re-
ceived by the late Mr.. Floyd, also tn,
oue recently gotten by Mr.. B!ackshir,
that they are very similar.
II this Is true there possibly can b
a case made up against Beatty fol
for the former offeDse.
Beatty, through his attorney, ap
peared before Judge Jackson to-day
for a reduction of his bail Of IS, 600
U. s. District Attorney Blizzard
opposed this strenuously on accoun.
OF the gravity of the offense.
Judge jackson directed that sps-
cial grand jury be called for February
sth, to investigate the case In order
that it may be tried at this term.
Beatty gave bond In IS, 900 with G,
A. Pritchard as surety.