The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-17
Shot Into Circle
Around Fire Has
Fatal Result
NE|GHBORHOOD FEUD
William G. Morgan, Prom
inent Farmer Accused of
Double Murder.

Harvey Hayhurst, aged y, and Fer.
nando Thorne. aged 81 ara Goth dead,
and Charles Musgraye io seriously
wounded about the face and neck as a
result of shooting that occurred on the
Monongahela river bank opposite the
little village OF Murray about nine
o'clock Saturday evening at the hands
OF William G. Mors,l. wc-'tlv Paw
Paw farmer
Harvey Hayhurst, Fernando Thornr,
James Hsyhurst and Charles Musgrave
were members OF a fox hunting party
that journeyed onto the Henry Morgan
farm opposite Murray which is now
LEASED TO man by the name of Tooth.
man. The men after turning their dogs
loose built a large fire on the river
bank. They were sitting around the
fire listening to the braying of the
dogs and telling tales when several
shots were heard and three Of the men
were injured, James Hayhurst being
the only one of the part to escape the
showering bullet.
Report of the shooting soon reached
the city. The three injured men were
hurriedly started to this city for hos.
pital treatment but before reaching
here both Harvey Hayhurzt and Fer
nando Thorne were dead
Bloodhounds were taken 10 the
scene OF the murder and they followed
trail to the home OF William Keyser
The officers Issued warrants for vii.
liam, John and Charles Keyser and
John knight who were all arrested and
brought to the county jail yesterday.
In the meantime the investigation was
continued in the vicinity OF the shoot
ing and at length ten suage shot gun
was found in the barn OF Willie G..
Morgan. The gun had been carefully
cleaned and oiled some time Sunday
morning. There were fresh finger
prints on its stock Then 1t was de.
veloped that William Keyser acted as
chauffeur for Willie Morgan. Sunday
morning he had overhauled the motor
Of the Morgan car and had worked
about the barn in which the gun was
found.
Last night when C.Css.y questioned,
Keyser admitted the finger prints on
the gun were made by his hand Ger
tain other cirCumStanClal evidence was
disclosed to him lie apparently was
being rapidly proved guilty of the
shooting. At length be was willing to
tell all he knew. As result of what
he said Willie e. Morgan, one OF the
most prominent citizens OF that sec
ton, and Walter Carnutte who lives
now in the county Jail. Carnutte
clan Eat he and William Morgan.
with whom he stays. went to a knoll
near their residence to watch the cat.
tie, Morgan carrying with him a twelve
Euage shot gun. From the knoll they
noticed light near the ridge back of the
farm. The lights finally proceeded to
q thicket on the Henry Morgan farm.
The two men then, upon the suggestion
of Morgan, approached the lights, Nor.
gan having gone to his home in the
meantime and secured another gun.
Tho twelve guage shot gun was then
given to Carnutte.
Upon their arrival at the bush back
OF the fire Morgan lowered to his
knees and fired two shots directly to-
ward the light. In the meantime the
Caronutte boy had fred both shots OF
his gun into the air.
william G. Morgan is a wealthy farm
or and is a descendant Of the ancient
pioneer Morgan family He has resid-
ed in this section for many years and
Is among the best known farmers OF
the county.
Fernando Thorn is a we'll known res,
Ident OF townsville where he has spent
the greater part OF his life.
Harvey Hayhurst recently lived in
Indiana and had recently moved to
Marion county to live. He is survived
by q young wife.
The funeral services for Harvey
I Continued on page 81