Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-02-23

rorism as carried on BY 4 band OF five
uncouth and illiterate brothers in the
Flat Top region Of Mercer county, near
the eastern corner bordering on
Raleigh and Summers counties, was
brought TO State police headquarters BY
Trooper ]. ]. Cook. OF the Beckley de.
tachment Of State police. who wen,
to Charleston to report the incident TO
his chief, Colonel Jackson Arnold.
Not satisfied after they had Kid
mapped l4-year-old girl, after they
had carried her miles into the wilder
ness, after they had each attacked her
and had at last stripped her of her
clothing before they allowed her to
struggle back home in cold that sent
the temperature down near the zero
mark-they tied the father in his chair,
they removed his shoes, and they
placed his feet in the Are 10 "roast"
In answer to his cry for vengeance.
Today the brothers, whose ages
range from fourteen to twenty.four
years and whose surname is Mcbride.
are in the Mercer county Jail held with
out bond, facing the intense hatred
OF an entire countryside. They were
captured while in the act Of putting
the father of the outraged girl through
this infinite agony by a detachment
OF State police. They waived prelim-
mary hearing before Justice Opie
karneS, at Princeton. The Youngest
was released on his own recognzance
The McBrides started on a crusade
few days ago, Cook said, and kid.
mapped a l4-year-old girl named Mills
at her home. They carried her five
miles into the mountainous wilderness
State police charge, and there COM
United criminal assault upon her.
Not satisfied with the treatment al
ready given the child, the brothers
completely disrobed her and forced her
to walk the five miles through snow
and sleet to her home.
Inc father of the little girl threat.
enea to wreak vengeance upon the
outlaws, saying he would kill them. il
was said, if they came near his house.
mat night the five brothers took
possession of the cottage. rhev &c
'aolShed headquarters there, the State
poiice charges and when Mills 70.
strated his shoes were removed and
Doth of his feet literally toasted a blaz-
ing fire.
The boys openly defed authorities
When news of the disorder reached
beckley and Princeton, on the same
day Lieutenant Lilly, OF the State
police, conferred at the latter point
with the prosecuting attorney Of
Mercer county.
Get Them" the prosecutor told
Lilly; bring them In dead Or alive"
Lieutenant Lilly communicated with
the attachments at Beckley, Prince
ton and Matoaka, and gave instructions
10 approach the headquarters OF the
band from three sides. His instruc-
lions were followed and three Of the
brothers were found in the house.
They were not given a chance to offer
resistance and not shot was Aired.
Inc two other boys, whose first
names were Jesse and Frank, could
not be found. The State police search
ed the neighborhood and finally went to
the Mcbride home, near Flat TOP.
There was no trace Of the alleged
violators there, but the State police
were warned by the boys mothers to
give UP the search.
"Yeu'll never arrest Frank and Jesse
ailve," she told the troopers. "They
are desperate boys and will not stop
at a command from the State police |
or other officers"
The troopers continued their search.
They hike. three miles through the
snow t. point near where the assault
on, the little girl was committed.
AS they neared the peak Of hill,
they heard yells and curses from the
other side. Hiding in Some under
brush, the troopers waited and present.
ly they saw Jesse and Frank descend
ing the hill, yelling, in drunken con-
dition, that Y" certain death would come
to any man who got in their path"
The troopers separated, and drew
nearer the young men on two sides. AS
they came abreast Of Cock, the latter
called FOR them to throw UP their