West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-12-03
MURD-R IN NEWBURG
VII ! m Cox Killed Thanksgiving
Eve BY Dan Marcsrslll.
LYNCHlEG NARROWLY AYBRTED


Two murders in little over month
is Preston county's record. The last one
was committed Thanksgiving eve at New
burg. The details Of the crime ~ given
THE ARGus are as follows:
Dan Marcerclli, an Italian merchant,
shot and killed William Cox at Newburg
Wednesday evening of last week with no
provocation, and u lynching of the muir.
derer was only prevented 10y delay in Sc.
curing rope.
William Cox, the victim, and George
Albright, two well-known men of New
burg, were standing in front OF the fruit
| and soft drink store of Marcerell about
$3.50 o'clock when some one threw stone
through the window. Marcerclli became
iniurlntcd and seized double barrel shot.
gun near at hand Seeing the maddcned
Italian coming the young men started 10
walk up the railroad track 10 get away
from the scene. Marccrcli raised the
gun and fred.
Cox turned to Albright and exclaimed,
'My God, I'm shotr'
Then Marccrcll rushed up and fred
the second barrel full i'm his face and Cox
fell to the ground, expiring almost In
4tantly. The shot penetrated his face and
breast and inflicted terrible wounds.
Marcerclli then ran into the store and
secured n quantity of ammunition and
with gun in hand made dash for liberty.
After Cox had been lifted from the ground
and carried 10 nearby building the
crowd began Il search for the murderer.
Inquiries at several houses in the west
end failed To locate him. Then they went
to the store OF Jim Roman, another Ital-
ian. Roman denied all knowledge of the
fugitive's whereabouts, but the threaten
ing attitude OF the crowd soon brought
forth the information and hc pointed out
the direction taken by the murderer.
Marcerclli was discovered hiding in the
corner Of porch of vacant house. Too
excited TO be cautious number rushed
upon him as hc was rcloading the shot.
gun. Then began life struggle on the
part OF the Italian. With the strength
OF despair he fought with his captors and
succeeded in rising TO his feet, and IL re-.
quired the united efforts OF the men to
prevent him wrestling from their grasp.
Marcerelli was brought 10 town while the
cries of those thirsting for his life rang
out on every hand and lynching seemed
certain.
Meanwhile the officers were busy swear
ing in deputies 10 help preserve order and
allow the law TO take its course, but be-
fore they had deputized sufficient num-
Der the mob had passed the town lookup
with the prisoner and was making for
tree, while Others of the mob had gone
for q rope.
Their delay in returning with the rope
was all that prevented Marcerelli from
paying the penalty Of his crime then and
there. The officers and deputies arrived
in time TO take the prisoner from the
mob and Marcerelli was safely secured
in the lookup under guard.
1t was just about AN hour after the
shooting until Marcercli was captured
and imprisoned. lie stated that IL was
Albright he intended To shoot, and not
Cox. He was given a preliminary hear.
ing Thursday afternoon before Justice
Cool and committed 10 Jail without bond
to await the action of the grand Jury at
this term Of court. George Albright and
James Roman were held as witnesses,
and being unable 10 give bond, the three
were brought 10 Jail Thursday evening
by Deputy &. l.. Y. Howell.
The funeral of William Cox took place
Friday morning at 10 o'clock from the
residence OF his mother, services being
conducted by Rev. 8. G. Jones, pastor of
tho Nj. +. church Intcrment was in
Newburg cemetery.
Cox was about ~ years old, single, and
generally respected. He was employed
rs tunnel foreman for the y. & O.