The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-10-29

OVER YOUNG
MANS DEATH
Body Found Under Cliff Az
ter An Alleged Meeting
With Young Woman.


PENNsBoRo. Oct. 2s-Deyelop-
ments are coming with rapidly In
the case OF the mysterious death OF
Frank Medium, well known young
man whose almost nude body was
found at the foot of a cliff near Toll
Gate. three miles east of Pennsboro,
and members of one OF Richie coun.
tvs most prominent families are be-
lieved to know something more of the
AFFAIR than has yet been told. Prose-
cutting Attorney Hobbs has inaugu-
rated searching investigation, and
declares that arrests may be expect
ed within the next day or two.
The body of Medium was found
on Monday afternoon by farmer re-
siding in the vicinity of Toll Gate.
and the coroner was Immediately
notified. The investigation was not
exhaustive. and as his body was
badly bruised, giving evidence that
he had fallen over the cliff, verdict
Of accidental death was rendered.
The body was taken to Parker-
burg for shipment 20 Bradford. Pa.
where he formerly feslded.
In Daughters Company.
Prosecutor Hobbs. after learning
something OF the case. was not salts
fled with the verdict rendered BY the
coroner. and at on,c began vigor-
GUS investigation, re, ealing some
very Interesting aud sensational facts.
II was learned that the clothing Of
Meldrum was found In the possession
OF Miss Hickman. daughter OF Ed
ward Hickman. a merchant of Toll
Gate.
The young lady had been sleeping
in summer cottage near the Hick-
man family home. On Sunday night,
it Is asserted, Mr.. and Mrs. Hickman
and their son Ralph went to church,
and on their way home, in passing
the summer house. heard the voice
of man. The fafncr and brother
went to the door and demanded ad-
mission.
Disappeared in Darkness.
Everything within was quiet and
they kept pounding on the door to
gain an entrance. The persistent re-
iusal Of those inside to open the door
caused the young man to break it
down. In the meantime. the figure
of man WAS seen TO so from rear
window ana over bank.
According to the authorities, Ralph
Hickman admits that he followed the
man whom he recognized as Medium
crawling away from the house. and
struck him with piece of wood
which he picked up in his anger. lie
said that the man went over the cliff
and he followed, but saw nothing
more OF the intruder.
1t is asserted that the lights in the
house were eXtinguished as soon as
the father and son demanded admis-
sion. Upon breaking down the door
the father encountered his daughter.
standing. apparently thunder-struck
and unable to give any explanation.
/ She was partly disrobed. 1t is assert
= ed, and mans clothing was found
III the room.
Relatives Won't Talk.
I Relatives of the dead man. when
/ questioned at first concerning his
death. declared thatit was accidental,
and the above information was not
learned until the prosecutor started
his Investigations.
The young man was married and
is survived by his widow and a child.
The young woman who has been
dragged into the affair, is almost
heart-broken. and none of the family
/ will make any statement of the af-
fair asidetfr the above vers tn Sc
7 cured from Ralph Hickman by the
| prosecuting attorney.