Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-09-21
Charged With Murder


aged about 20 years. He has
borne an excellent reputation for
sObriety, peacefuluess. attention to
his work. and conduct. and the
charge comes as a distinct shock
and surprise to the many who
have known him.
The dead man. Hugh Curtiss.
was little known here, as he had
only been in this vicinity for
few weeks. conducting merry
go-round first here at Berryville
before and during the Horse Show.
afterward at Boyce, where the
tragedy occurred. His home was
near Washington. Rappahannock
county. where he leaves a widowed
mothcr and several brothers and
sisters. He was probably y
years old.
From evidence presented at the
Coroner's inquest. which was held
nj Boyce on Sunday. and from
levidence presented at the hearing
before Magistrate Reed yesterday.
when Thomas Clark was held TO
await the action of the Grand Jury.
on a charge of being an accessory
or aiding and abetting Feltner
before the murder. it seems that
Feltner had been riding on the
merry-go-round. and a misunder-
standing or disagreement having
arisen between him and CurtiSs.
an argument ensued. on which
CurtiSs struck him with black
jack. Feltner and Clark then went
to Justice Sprint in Boyce and
asked for a warrent for CurtiSS.
on the charge of assault. The
Justice did not issue the warrant.
but request them TO come back at
9o'clockthe next morning. Sunday.
Mr.. Simpson testified that he
had loaned Mr.. Feltner a revolver
about . o'clock Saturday night;
but it was testified that the visit
to Justice Sprint's was about 10
O'Clock.
After the merry-go-round had
shut down for the night. Curtiss.
Feltner. Clark. and. as several
witnesses thought, probably % or
p others. we're around on the
Boycc streets. talking.
These three. along with quite a
number of witnesses i'm the case.
were standing or walking around
in groups.
An argument started between
Feltner and CurtiSs.
One witness said Felmer and
CLARK went down beside freight
car on the track short distance
below the road. and had some
conversation.
There was some doubt as to
whether or not they came back TO-
gether. but ii was testified that
that when Feltner came back he
ihad his hand in his pocket.
Another argument ensued, fol-
lowing which Curtiss sruck at.
or struck, Feltner. At the second
blow, or attempted second blow.
according To one witness. Feltner
fired one shot. which resulted
fatally, penetrating the heart.
Felmer made no attemtto escape.
but surrendered his revolver TO
Justice Sprint. and has claimed all
the time that the shot was fired i'm
self defense.
Justice Sprint testified that he
saw the bruiSc or abrasion on
/ Feltner's neck. where he claim
led CurtiSS had struck him with the
| black Jack.
1t was also testified that an open
knife had been found in the road
a few feet from the dead man. but
it was not directly connected with
anyone. and no one claimed it rs
his own.
1t was also testified that a
Irevolver, loaded, was found i'm
ICurtiSS' pocket after the killing.
Feltncr was broughtto Bcrryville
land locked mp. where he now
awaits Il hearing before the Grand
Jury which Will convene Monday
Clarke was arrested Monday and
brought to BerrNvillc, but was
taken back To Boycc Yesterday
afternoon for a preliminary hear
, ing before Justice Reed. who held
him 10 await the action Of tn,
Grand Jury, and bailed him in the
sum of $500.
Clark : contention Is that he wa.
. with Fcltner Just aS he would b,
with any other friend, and tha
4 he did not aid, abet or counsel th,
+ killing, for the reason that he Ill,
mot know there would bc one.