Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-03-04
QUARRY WORKERS
HAVE TROUBLE AND
MURDER FOLLOWS
"A c. cARPER DIES FROM BLOW
STRUCK BY WILLIAM c.
KEGS.
ALTERATION AROSE OVER AL.
LEGGED MESSAGE SENT TO
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
MEN WERE EMPLOYED AT J. {.
BAKER oUARRIEs AT BUN
KER HILL.

AS the result of an alteration at
the ]. f. Baker quarries at Bunker
Hill Saturday morning about s o'clock,
NJ. c. Carper died that afternoon
shortly after ) o'clock, and William c.
KEGS came to the city, surrendered to
the authorities and is now prisoner
in the county Jail.
Following Mr. Carper's death, Sup
erintendent c. A. Cross notified Or. G
]. e. Sponseller. county coroner, who
empanelled the following jury: P W.
Letter. A. p Hertzog, +. D. Gardner,
s. w. Kent Miller Wade H. Leach
and c. w. Rutherford, and went to
the scene of the affair, where an in
quest was held.
After Carper had been assaulted
two employees at the quarries assisted
him to his home Being unable to
secure Or. NJ. G. Hoffman, DIR. D. S.
Compton, of Clearbrook. Va, gave
first aid. The injured man soon laps
ed into unconsciousness and remain
ed in that condition, death relieving
his suffering about SIS p. m.
DIR. M. G. Hoffman stated he was
called about 5:2S and found the man
had two decorations on the left side
of his head about an inch apart. He
believed the injuries caused his
death.
c. A. Cross, superintendent, said
he had been with the company at
Bunker Hill for years, the dead man
had been employed for years as
machinist, and had never had any
trouble. Mr.. KEGS, the accused, he
also said was of a very quiet DISPOSE
ton, causing no trouble. He knew
nothing of the alteration.
William N. Stout told the jury the
fight occurred about o'clock, saying
he saw Carper come from the boiler
house and signalled for him to come
to him. He knew nothing of the
trouble with KEGS. Carper walked up
to KEGS and asked why he told that
he (Carper) had sent a vile message
to the superintendent. KEGS replied
he had not, and Carper called him a
liar. KEGS told him he didn't want to
preached a little closer, KEGS reach
ing upon the bank picked up a piece
of iron about IS inches long, and told
Carper if he didn't go away he would
strike him. Carper again approached
a little closer and KEGS struck him a
slow on the head which staggered
him, and before he Strengthened up
struck him again, knocking him down.
Stout said that he and Mr.. Sergeant
assisted Mr.. Carper to his home.
Harry Jones, colored, said at
o'clock he was on the incline at No.
2 tipple. He saw Carper walk up to
KEGS and they engaged in a CONVEX
sation, but he thought they were fool
ing, and he paid no attention. Car
per called KEGS a d liar, and KEGS
knocked him down with a piece of
iron. Carper, he said, carried a CHS
Ell, but made no attempt to strike
KEGS
The last witness examined there
was Randolph Brown, colored, who is
employed as a driver. He saw Car
per approach KEGS and heard him
call KEGS a d liar KEGS warned
him not to approach closer. or he
would strike him with piece Of
iron. He saw KEGS strike Carper
twice. Carper carried a brace, but
didn't attempt to strike KEGS.
Leaving the, quarries the jury came
TO the county jail, where the accus-
ed is incarcerated. He stated he was
running No cut at the quarries sat
urday morning and had some trouble
with Mr.. Carper He also recognized
a piece of iron, or one similar to it,
Deputy Sheriff John C. Wolfe brought
with him, and which, it is said, KEGS
used. He refused to answer further
questions.
After a consultation the jury re
turned the following verdict: I'VE.
the jury, find that the said NJ c. Car
per came to his death by being struck
on the head with a piece of iron in
the hands of one William c. KEGS on
the plant of the j. E. Baker quarries
at Bunker Hill, Berkeley county, w.
Ca"
The murdered man came to Bunker
Hill 8 years ago from Stephens City,
Va, and had been employed there
since. He bore a good reputation, and
appeared to be well liked by the COM
pany and fellow employees. He is sur
vived by his widow and children,
the youngest being aged about 4
months.