The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-06-20
MURDERED n
COLD BLOOD
TRAVELLING MAN SHOT BY uN.
KHoWN But TWO SUSPECTS.
ABE UNDER ARREsT-RoBsERY
PRECEDED KILLING.

|Hh#H. .a o.
BLuEFIELD, June 20. = Charles
Freeman, a well known and popular
travelling man, vas shot 10 death in
cold blood in Burke. a suburb Of Key.
stone. by parties at present unknown
Tor said to bel, althoagh two men are
now being held for a preliminary hear
lug as being at least Indirectly re.
sponsible for the death Of the young
man.
The two men being held at welch
awaiting trial are Lem Smith, white,
and Kid James, colored, both special
policemen at Keystone. Freeman was
in the company Of three other young
men throughout the evening and was
leaving Keystone preparatory to so.
ing TO Northfork, when the trouble
occurred. The young fellows ran into
a bunch OF negroes and IN alteration
ensued. 1t is stated by two Of the
young men who accompanied Free.
man that the purpose Of the jostfing
by the negroes was 10 effect a rob
berry, and they were successful in
attempt, according to the young mans
statement, having taken $50 from one
Of them-Tabor by nam-and also
his gun, About this time the special
officers came up and the white boys,
not wishing 10 get Into any trouble,
broke away from the officers and start.
ed to run toward Northfork, in Burke.
At this time the officers state that
they shot into the air to get Freeman
to stop and shouted 10 stop him, Sew.
eral persons from each side Of the
street in Burke fired at the fleeing
man. and one bullet crashed through
his brain. killing him Instantly.
The remains were removed to the
mayors Office and Mayor EplIng held
an inquest, the report of the jury,
from the evidence adduced, being in
substance that Freeman came to his
death from n pistol shot fired by an
unknown party. On the return of this
verdict the special policemen were re.
leased, but later warrants we're sworn
out for them by friends OF Freeman.
Prosecuting Attorney Smith, Of
WEIGH, came to Keystone and both Of
the men were put under guard to
await a preliminary hearing. The
prosecutor stated that he wonld oh.
ject to the men being let out on bond
md that 10 procure bond they would
have to apply to the circuit court.
Smith and james were taken to Welch
on No. l and placed in jail to await
the preliminary hearing. which will
be given on Saturday.
Freeman was popular among a
host OF friends and was connected
with the Schwartzchili & Sulzberger
company. of Northfork, meat packers,
and Travelled throughout the Flat Top
coal field. He was quiet and gentle.
manly In his demeanor, and molested
no one and never drank 10 excess.
He was 4 member OF the Tip Top
Lodge OF !. 0. O. F., and Il Is stated
that that order will raise n large sum
to prosecute those who were directly
and indirectly the cause Of the young
mans death. A large number Of Key.
stones best citizens have also raised
a considerable sum OF money to prose.
cute those that were instrumental In
the death OF this young man. Feeling
in the town Is running high and so
many stories Of the tragedy are cur.
rent that Il is difficult to gather the
real facts.
The remains OF Mr.. Freeman were
taken to LewIsbure. ". Va, where
the funeral was held.