Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-07-27
ON TRIAL FOR MURDER.
frank Sprouse Charged With killing r.
Conrad 6oyd at F0rdWick.

| FRANK SprOuSe Cnafgeu WIN NiIihg H.
| Conrad soyd at Fordwlck.
The trial ri Frank Sprouse charge d
with the murder of R. Conrad Boyd al
Fordwick on June och, was begun in
the circuit court Wednesday before the
following jul,: Messrs F. d Halter
man. WIN. I. Shul'z, DeLacy Conner
J. b. Shannon, A. &. Ellis, II. c.
Hanna, G N. HOuseman, n. P. Dick
@ son, II G. banner, Wilson Whit
IN re, q. |. Duh and d. W II. Mowry.
| The common wealth is represented
by Capt. r =. Ker and MIR. s. ID. Tim
berlake, Jr. while the prisoner is de-
Tended by Chas. Curry, Ed. and Capt.
James Bumgardner. After the pres
entation of the case by counsel, wit
nesses were introduced.
Mr.. l.. ID. McNulty was the first wit
| nass He stated that be is the keeper
of the commissary of the Virginia
Portland Cement Works, and was
present at the commissary where BOYD
was employed and where he YVES shot
by Sprouse on June 9th. Mr.. McNulty
first described the building used as the
commissary and drew a plan OF same
He was in the store, and heard dis
turbance, swearing and the like IN front
of the store. He We then busy in back
of the store, but went to the front door
and saw some one ride by on bicycle.
Sprouse came fIom towards the south
aud was swearing considerably. Some
one asked, who is he causing?" A
minute or two later some one SAID
"Conra1, he is cusing you;" but BOYD
said he had done nothing to him.
SprOuse went off but came back swear
| ing. Boyd said who are you talking
to 2" Sprouse replied with an oath
'you know" Boyd then asked what
he meant. A rock battle in which
Boyd's hat was knocked off followed
The battle started nepr the store, and
the crowd moved to the postof1ice
Sprouse told Boyd to come out and he
would fix him. Boyd caught Sprouse
by the coat and told him he had to stop
cursing and swearing Sprouse agreed
and said be would 60 home. All went
back towards the store. Sprouse went
to the south and asked several times
where his wheel was. Was rather be.
hind store, and had back to witness
who judged from the motion OF DIS
arms that he was loading pistol. He
witness, told Boyd to look out. Boyd
then went out and caught hold OF
Sprouse throwing his arms around
him. Sprouse's back being towards
him, when quick as flash five SHOTS
were fired. Sprouse with the pistol ID
his right hand reached around BOYD
left arm while he shot After the
fourth shot Boyd fell. Sprouse went
about three steps and looked around
at Beyd and then started running To-
wards Sprouse Hollow. In reply TO
question, said Boyd had no weapon
and made no effort to hit Sprouse, Jus
held him. Did not see lick pass
Witness first tried to supply fire arms
to those around who wanted to pursue
Sprouse Boyd was moved on stretch
er to doctors office. Witness knew
Boyd we'll; Boyd had been employed at
the Cement Works since they began
work five or six years ago. He show
ed no signs of having been drinking.
Sprouse was captured in 80 or 40 min
utes after Boyd was shot.
The REORGANIZATION of Mr.. NC
Nulty covered about the same GROUND
as the principal examination.
7. Gardner Bare was the next wit
ness. He said he was butcher for the
Cement company. Heard Sprouse
swearing. Boyd asked what was the
matter. and Sprouse said II am from
over the hill and l IL knock you over IN
a minute" Saw Sprouse pick up a
rock. He and Boyd walked up the
porch, saw Sprouse coming with ROCK
in hand. Boyd asked what he saw 60
ing to do. Sprouse then said l AM
going to kill you, damn yor D." Inc n
threw rock at Boyd. Boyd picked
no rock aud battle ensued. Did not
Think either was hit. Sprouse asked
BOYD not to hit him when be picked ny
rock. Boyd dropped rock and told
Sorouse he wanted him to 60 back and
explaip to the crowd that he had moth
ing against him, but as he. Boyd, went
in store, Sprouse went around store
and said damn you, I'll get you.
When witness saw SprOuse as though
he was breaking his pistol, Boyd ask
ed .swhere is be-" He was then tolc
. to look out, as Sprouse had SOM
a weapon and would get him. Boyc
, then went out and grabbed Sprouse al
! described by Mr.. McNulty. Ate
r shooting. witness following prisoner
D with others.
al A. B. Burruss, purchasing agent wa
q next called. He first saw BOYD an
sprouse in front postoffice after ROCK
were thrown. He went on to STAN
+ window and sc on heard shots. Whel
). be saw them Sprouse appeared to o
h pushing Boyd away with left hand an
u shooting with right. Followed Sprous
after shooting.
nj Nat DrumheIler, youthful palnte
N of Craigsville, was next called. lie WI
. riding his horse over to Fordwick an
saw Sprouse riding up and down Q
his wheel. Saw Sprouse get rock
Boyd caught Sprouse by coat then II
him loose. Sprouse said "an't no Ut
1t of this, Pm drinking" Sprouse lat'
II "I'll get YOU" Saw Boyd when he a
N terwsrds caught Sprouse when tt
FL nj, ROud had