The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-05-26
EXCITEMENT
AI COUNTY {
JAIL 4. \. TODAY D: "A. Y
Thought Blue E Goat
She seller Was a
effective.

3. "a. Coffman, who murdered his
wife at Rosstown on May IS. went
raYing mad at the county jail this
morning and attacked the inmates OF
the prison. His first attack was on
William F. sheeler. who was put in
for selling obscene pictures. He struck
3 sSheeler on the head above the left
eye. There was lump as large as
hickory nut on sheeler's forehead
ssand g twas colored UP considerably.
After sheeler had been struck he ran
from Caffman down the corridor OF
the Jail. Coffman ran after him and
slipped 4 and fell. The back OF his
head struck against cage and was
Sathought to be cut, but 1t was
not =
It was at first reported that Sheeler
sstruck Coffman. but sheeler denied
that he attacked the crazy man. He
Z confessed that he was only too glad
to: see that the way was clear for.him
8 to smakeSa good run. and that ne niu.
ESQ anxious was he to get away that
he fell and hurt his arm. There was
Oh kJAEEIEL . AL HI anu
sShe complained much more about 1t
than he did about the knot above his
optic. Coffman seemed too have 1t In
for Sheeler because Sheeler had blue
COAT with brass buttons, the uniform
n OF IA i"newsy" on the train. Coffman
S5accused sheeler of being detective
trying Ito get a confession from him.
called sheelers a detective. s this
% morning and made for him with the
e above results. Luke Hawkins saw the
Il alteration between Coffman and
Sheeler. Hawkins says that Sheelel
s did not strike Coffman.
When Coffman fell he broke his
M spectac1es and the broken glass Gu,
"a deep cash in his nose that bled pro
ss fusely. DIR. c. o. Henry was called
II to dress the wounds.
When DIR. Henry went into the jail
Al Cofman attacked him and 1t was with
dimculty that he managed to escape
from being hurt. Coffman was quiel
30 for a while. that is he was not vicious
a but nll the time he was raving asking
that he be given an opportunity tc
preach. DIR. Henry saw that he needed
b the assistance of Jailer Davis. He
- called Mr. Davis to his assistance FOL
ts the inmates of the jail were suffering
20 from a nervous shock from their ey
citement earlier in the morning The!
iran away when Coffman opened up or
4 Ss.ls5Dr. Henry. Just rs Mr.. Davis had eneer
ed the Jail Coffman was seized with an
~ other crazy fit and he started aftel
III Dr. Henry and Davis. He hit Davi:
III In the face good punch that caused
50 q swelling. Jailer Davis had heavy
pad lock In his hand that he had jus
& taken OFF the outside door. He die
4 not want, to hit Coffman with that. HI
3S defended himself by nnrrying the blow.
off the maniac. DIR. Heury came up ant
=; got slap in the face. The doctor
Y thought that 1t was case where ht
4 Il would have to tussle with his assall
ant. He sail in for catch-as.catch
s ;sst can and succeeded In getting {
70 double under back hold and with {
~ powerful lunge he threw Coffman Il
the floor. Sheriff Davis went to the
doctors assistance and soon the pris
oners were there to aid. Though the,
were not eager to join in until DR.
Henry had branded them us towards
Cpffman was then placed on bench
and his wounds were dressed. He
~ struggled with the men that held hin
while the surgeon washed his scalr
4 rs and face. He kept up his crazy ejac
uladons, saying that he wanted M
opportunity to preach, to expound thu
light. 4Let me rave. give me an op
portunity to rave. I want to rave.
!. .s am not the Saviour Of the world
These were some of the things tha
egrepeated over many times.
Z One time he semed rational and theI
said s..You men do not need to do al
IS this to me to get me to confess til,
truth: g He seemed to have sense
enough just at that time to thinl
5at the men were trying to eatort
Confession from him.
Luke Hawkins and Thornton Vine.
held Cofman's arms while he wa.
being washed. Luther, Donham ant
Fay Eyersons assisted in holding him
It was evident that some measure.
:ahould be taken so g that Coffmar
Continued Jon Page Flvea