NEW YORK TIMES Articles Related to the Wheeling, West Virginia Area Transcribed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty. May 9, 1891 TRIED TO BURN HIMSELF TO DEATH WHEELING, West Va., May 8–-A peculiar and desperate attempt at suicide was that made by George Kloss, a resident of Benwood, a suberb of this city, at 1 o'clock this morning. Kloss locked himself in his room in a double-frame dwelling, barricaded the door, and then threw the lamp on the bed, setting it on fire. George Murphy and William Miller went to his rescue, but Kloss armed himself and said he would kill the first man who attempted to enter. The two men burst open the door and, seizing Kloss, threw him down stairs, Kloss being first shot in the effort to disarm him. Three buildings were destroyed and other property in the vicinity was badly damaged. ======================================================================================= July 21, 1888 DROWNED IN THE FLOODS The Terrible Disaster At And Near Wheeling - Twenty-one bodies swept away, Cattle Drowned, and Crops Injured. WHEELING, West Va., July 20.-–Never since the disastrous flood of August, 1866, has Wheeling been visited by such a tremendous rainfall as occurred last evening. The storm of 1866 commenced at 10 o'clock at night and ceased at 3 in the morning. There were a number of deaths from drowning and lightning at that time, but when communication is once more restored with the various places along the track of last night's deluge, it is thought the former flood will sink into insignificance. It is impossible to give a correct list of fatalities, but the best estimate t0-night makes not less than 25 drowned. Of these 10 were lost in the Caldwell Run, 8 were drowned at or near Triadelphia and West Alexandria, in the eastern part of the county, 1 near Bridgeport, on the Ohio side of the river, 1, Ex-Sheriff Kemp of Marshall County, near Benwood, W. Va., and two more on Whisky Run on the Ohio side opposite the lower end of this city. The list of dead is being constantly added to. The destruction of property is not so great as in the storm of 10 days ago, but the loss will probably exceed half a million dollars. The list of dead as far as could be learned tonight is as follows: Barbara Stenzel, ages 65 years; Herman Stenzel, her son, aged 35; Annie Wingard, aged 10; Alice Wingard, aged 21; Dan Richie, aged 13; Eddie Hathaway, aged 12; Mrs. Thomas Howley and four children; John Hohman, aged 40; William Gaston, aged 65; Mrs. William Gaston, aged 60; Mrs. John Fay [FEAY; see second list below], aged 60; Alice Fay, a daughter, aged 25; Belle Fay, another daughter, aged 21; ex-Sheriff Kemp of Marshall County; Charles Caulbell (?) aged 50; two brothers named German, age not known. Total, 21. The storm broke over the city about 6 o'clock, and rain came down in sheets. There was no let up until 7:30, fitful showers, however, coming up afterward. It was not long until the streets were like rivers and the cellars of dwelling and business houses flooded. After the storm was over it was one swelling tide of wrecks, and when the moon finally shone out about 10 o'clock it looked upon a terrible scene of disaster. The most frightful effects of the storm were experienced on Caldwell's Run. The narrow channel of this stream made the rushing water an irresistible flood, sweeping everything before it. During the rush of the waters the Market-street iron bridge and Main-street stone bridge were crowded with people watching the creek running out. It was an appalling sight and at the same time fascinating. The Baltimore and Ohio wooden bridge, just below soon became an object of interest as the sweeping flood was leaping against it with the terrible force, and its timbers cracking beneath the strain. A large crowd gathered at this bridge, and in spite of warnings many persisted in getting out on the trestle, and all at once and without warning the bridge was swept away, and above the sullen roar of the water and the cracking of the timbers could be heard cries for help from those who were carried away with the bridge. A number who clung to pieces of timber were swept into the river in the twinkling of an eye, and residents of the island opposite the mouth of the creek plainly heard the cries of distress as they drifted down the Ohio. It is impossible to ascertain the exact number of those who were on the bridge, but more than 20 persons are still missing. The greatest disaster occurred on Caldwell's Run where 10 persons lost their lives and a large amount of property was destroyed. The run is very crooked, and the flood as it swept through the city toward the river was churned into foam. Two bridges were swept away and about five miles up the run six houses were washed away or rather were crushed into fragments by the terrible force of the current that suddenly swept down on them. No lives are reported lost in this part of the city. This morning thousands visited the scene of the destruction. Workmen were engaged in repairing the two bridges, but it will be some days before travel over them will be resumed. The terrible and sudden death that overtook the unfortunate persons who lived on the run near the city cannot be fittingly described. No one can tell the agony of those who stared certain death in the face, the horror being increased by the roar of the deluge and the cracking of the timbers as the houses parted by the beating of the water against them. Mrs. Barbara Henzel, a widow aged 65 years, resided about one mile up the run. There were in the house at the time it was swept away, her son, Herman, aged 20, and Alice and Annie Wingert, aged 10 and 21 years respectively, of Miltonsburg, Ohio, nieces of Mrs. Henzel, who were paying their aunt a visit. The house they were in lifted from the foundation and floated down about 100 yards where it lodged. Both ends of the dwelling had been crushed in when the house stopped. The kitchen attached to the residence of John Homan was torn away and Mr. Homan, who was in the kitchen at the time, clambered to the roof and jumped into the Henzel house, a few minutes afterward another swell lifted it up and it went to pieces, and all were plunged into the raging torrent and were seen no more. The next house to go was the residence of Thomas Howley. The occupants of the house at the time it was swept away were Mrs. Howley and her five children, one boy and three girls. The house was torn to pieces and all five were drowned. Mr. Howley, who was in the yard feeding a cow, was swept down the run for a distance of 100 yards and managed to reach the bank without receiving serious injuries. Mr. Homan's wife and children were in the country visiting and Mrs. Homans was notified f the death of her husband. This morning the body of Alice Wingert was recovered in the run at Eoff-street last night, and Mrs. Hensel's body was recovered early this morning. Parties were engaged in searching for the remaining bodies to-day in the debris that is piled up in heaps against the Ohio River Road. At Triadelphia the damage was especially great. Search today resulted in the discovery of a number of bodies of those who lived at Triadelphia. Most of them were found among the drift which collected at Elm Grove, some distance below. William Gaston, aged 60 years, a wealthy and prominent man who owned the famous Gaston Orchard was drowned, as was his wife. Mrs. Gaston's remains were found near Elm Grove, two miles below her ruined home and were hanging over a barbed wire fence when discovered. The body of Charles Caulbell, aged 50, was found among some driftwood. Mrs. Jane Fay [Feay], wife [widow] of Moses Fay, and her two daughters, Alice and Belle, both of whom were grown up, were found dead near Elm Grove. The bodies of two brothers named Gorman, both young men, were recovered in a meadow where they had been hurled by the furious waters. The whole farming country is denuded of crops, and in many cases the soil is washed away over large tracts. Hundreds of heads of live stock were drowned and the desolation is general over a total area of about 300 square miles. The railroads, the Baltimore and Ohio, Cleveland, Lorain and Wheeling, Ohio River, St. Clairsville and Northern St. Clairsville, Southern and Pittsburg, Wheeling and Kentucky, lose heavily. The Baltimore and Ohio between Wheeling and West Alexander, Penn., has nine bridges washed away and the line to Pittsburg will not be open for two weeks. Other roads are just as bad or nearly so. ======================================================================================= June 12, 1878 HOMICIDE NEAR WHEELING WHEELING, June 11.--While returning home from a festival at Benwood, a small town near this city, last night Hiram Brannon and family were met by Thomas Brannon, a young man, who began to use abusive and insulting language to them. Hiram Brannon quietly proceeded home, being followed by Thomas, who still kept up his tirade of abuse. Upon entering his residence, Hiram seized a double-barreled shotgun and fired its contents into his pursuer's abdomen. Brannon is rapidly sinking and will die before morning. Hiram was released on $2,000 bail. ======================================================================================= August 30, 1934 JERSEY MAN FOUND HANGED WHEELING, W.Va.-- Aug. 29 (AP)-Frank King, 50, of New Brunswick, N. J., scrawled a letter to his wife, Julia King, in his native Hungarian language, saying: "I'm sorry for the children. Good-bye." Neighbors found him today hanged to a small tree in suburban Benwood. ======================================================================================= January 15, 1930 GET WOMAN OUTLAW IN ARIZONA SEIGE Posse Captures Mrs. Schroeder, Sought for Slaying in Pennsylvania, and Two Aides. PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. 14 (AP)--Sheriff Charles W. Wright of Maricopa County said tonight a woman captured with two men near Laveln earlier in the evening has admitted she is Mrs. Irene Schroeder of Benwood, W. Va., for whom a nationwide search has been made in connection with the slaying of a Pennsylvania highway patrolman near Newcastle, Pa., last Dec. 27. Joe Chapman, sheriff's deputy, was forced into a car by two armed men, when he attempted to arrest a woman occupant of the car last night. A short time later at Chandler, several deputies attempted to halt the machine and were fired upon by the occupants, Lee Wright, a deputy, being wounded. Chapman, apparently wounded while in the car, was thrown out. The fugitives were surrounded on the top of a small peak in the South Range Mountains late today. As the advance guard of the main body of Possemen approached the base of the peak, it was driven to cover by shots fired from the top. None of the fugitives' bullets took effect, nor did any of the fire returned by the possemen. A brisk exchange took place, until the men and the woman on the peak discovered the main body of posse was near by. ======================================================================================= April 16, 1925 "DEAD" WOMAN IS REVIVED Mrs. Burge, Aged 80, of Wheeling is Awakened by Ice Water. WHEELING, W. Va., April 15.--An application of ice water resuscitated Mrs. Sarah Burge, 80 years old, as friends and relatives gathered at her home to arrange for her funeral after she had lapsed into a state of coma and was believed to have died. Returning today from Woodruff, W. Va., where they had been summoned by the report of Mrs. Burge's death, Mrs. Margaret Davis and her daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Jones, related the circumstances of her rally. Mrs. Burge is the mother of Mrs. Davis. While those at the bedside were discussing funeral arrangements Mrs. Jones said she began bathing her grandmother's face with ice water. Mrs. Burge opened her eyes a few moments later, she said, to inquire what was the matter. Her recovery from an attack of pneumonia was expected. ======================================================================================= November 12, 1910 SCHENCK MAY LIVE; WIFE HELD IN JAIL Denies Poisoning Wealthy Husband - Other Arrests Are Expected SEEK PURCHASER OF DRUG Authorities Believe Law Was Violated in Selling Arsenic - Woman's Children Not Told of Her Arrest WHEELING, W. Va., Nov. 11.--Mrs. Laura Farnsworth Schenck remained today in the county jail held without bail, awaiting developments in the illness of her husband, John O. Schenck, a wealthy pork packer. Arraignent of Mrs. Schenck on charges that she attempted to poison her husband by putting arsenic in his food and drinking water will be delayed pending the outcome of his sickness. At the North Wheeling Hospital, where he was taken two weeks ago when suspicion was first aroused, he was reported to-day as slightly improved but still critically ill. He has a high fever and pulse of 124. Despite his weakened condition the authorities ventured to tell him of the arrest of Mrs. Schenck. He is said to have remarked: "If all these things are true, she is where she ought to be." That further arrests are to be made to the case was admitted to-night by Prosecuting Attorney Handlin and Chief of Police Hastings. It is believed the unnamed suspects are expected to furnish light on the manner in which arsenic or some other drug might have found its way into the Schenck home. The authorities have the certification of chemicals at the John Hopkins University and the West Virginia University that arsenic was found in samples of mineral water to have been taken from Mr. Schenck's bedside. The State laws expressly forbid the sale of poisonous drugs without registration of the purchaser. In this connection, it is said, physicians will be questioned. At the jail to-day Mrs. Schenck was questioned anew and she repeatedly declared her innocence of any attempt upon her husband's life. Attorney Handlan said to-day that Mr. Schenck's illness might be said to date back nearly a year. In January he fell suddenly ill and took a trip abroad for his health, going alone. Following his return, much improved, he fell ill again, and Dr. Gregory Ackerman, a German specialist, who was called in, diagnosed the case as poisoning. He was, however, soon afterward discharged from the case. Dr. Frank Lemoyne Hupp, a local physician, was then summoned by relatives and he returned a similar diagnosis, but his diagnosis was kept from Mrs. Schenck until the expert analysis had been made and her husband removed to the hospital. Since his removal there she had not been allowed to visit him. Laura Farnsworth Schenck is the daughter of a poor family in Marietta, Ohio. She came to Wheeling twenty-three years ago and found employment as a servant. She worked in several homes here until ten years later, Mr. Schenck, was then 27 years old and wealthy, took her into his home on Wheeling Island on the Ohio River, as his wife. She is a blonde, of ruddy complexion and buxom form. At the island home she has entertained liberally and she and her husband were very fond of motoring. Only recently he made her a present of a fine touring car. They have two children, Virginia, aged 12, and Robert, aged 7, who have been placed in the care of relatives and who are kept in ignorance of the charges against their mother. Mr. Schenck, who is President of the pork packing firm of F. Schenck & Sons, is rated as a millionaire and is a brother of A. M. Schenck, who recently announced his candidacy for the United States Senate against Senator Nathan B. Scott. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: A five-count indictment was brought against Mrs. Schenck and the case went to trial before Judge F. S. Jordan. - J. P. P. O'Brien was chief counsel for the defense and J. Bernie Handlan was the prosecutor. - On December 2, 1910, before the trail started, Mr. Schenk was discharged from the hospital. - The trial was prominently featured in the major national newspapers. At trial, evidence of two poisons, acetate of lead and arsenic, was presented by the prosecution. The jury could not reach a verdict and Mrs. Schenck was not re-tried. - John O. Schenck obtained a divorce and custody of the children. - A few years later, Schenck married Miss Grace E. Fendt, a school teacher in Wheeling. ======================================================================================= June 26, 1900 REFUSED MEDICINE TO CHILD. In Consequence West Virginia Parents Were Arrested for Murder. WHEELING, West Va., June 25--William Graigg and his wife were arrested today at Moundsville by the Humane Society officer on the charge of murder. The case is one without precedent in West Virginia, the allegation being that Mr. and Mrs. Graigg were ordered to provide medicine for their sick child, which they did not do, and the child died. ======================================================================================= April 15, 1891 ACCUSED OF BODY SNATCHING. A Wheeling Physician Charged With A Serious Crime. WHEELING, West Va., April 14.--For several months past there has been a suspicion that bodies of persons dying at the County Infirmary, five miles east of the city, have been carried off either by physicians or others acting for physicians, and as a result a close watch has been kept upon certain parties suspected of the crime, which is a felony in West Virginia, punishable by imprisonment for from two to five years in the penitentiary. As a result of this suspicion, William Brandstrop, engineer at the infirmary, after a consultation with the officials of the county this evening, went before Justice Arkle and swore out a warrant charging Dr. John R. Pipes, a leading young physician of the city, and Taylor Foreman, the retiring Superintendent of the infirmary, with the crime of body snatching, alleging specifically that on the 18th of January they, with others, at present unknown, disinterred and removed the body of William Wedesbecker, an inmate of the infirmary who died the day prededing. The arrest created a great sensation and an examination has been set for Thursday at 7 P.M. It is alleged that a number of other bodies are missing. To-day the officials opened one grave and found the coffin empty. ======================================================================================= June 1, 1897 TWICE MISTAKEN FOR DEAD P. J. Altmyer of Wheeling Rallied When He Heard the Bell Toll WHEELING, West Va., May 31.--P. J. Altmyer, a manufacturer, was stricken with pneumonia a week ago, and this morning it is reported he was thought to be dead. An undertaker was preparing the body for burial, when the bell of St. Mary's Catholic Church began to toll for his death. At the sound Altmyer is said to have rallied and begun to talk to his overjoyed family. He sank back again and the attendants were positive that life had fled, but they were mistaken, for he rallied once more and told his family that he would recover. Physicians were sent for and late tonight it was said that he would live. ======================================================================================= April 5, 1896 REACHED HER 106th YEAR BEFORE DEATH. WHEELING, West Va., April 4.--Mrs. Elizabeth Leonard died at Moundsville near this city to-day, aged 106. She was born in Switzerland, and came to this country when thirteen years old. She outlived her nine children, and was in full possession of her faculties up to a few hours before she died. Mrs. Leonard enjoyed a pipeful of tobacco until the day she died. ======================================================================================= March 8, 1891 A DOCTOR SHOT DEAD. An Old Quarel Between Physicians Ends Fatally. WHEELING, West Va., March 7.--Dr. George Baird, member of the City Water Board and one of the most prominent physicians of the city, was shot and almost instantly killed this morning by Dr. George L. Garrison ex-City Health Officer and a physician of high standing. The tragedy occurred on Eleventh Street, just in front of the plumbing shop of Rose &. Hamilton. Dr. Baird had just alighted from his buggy, and the mo­ment Dr. Garrison passed along the sidewalk Dr. Baird applied an epithet to him, and the latter drew a revolver and said, "Doctor, you must take that back." "Don't have to take it back," was the reply. Dr. Garrison, standing about six feet from Dr. Baird, at once fired, the ball taking effect in Dr. Baird's left eye. The victim partially turned, when Dr. Garrison fired again, the ball entering just behind the right ear. Dr. Baird then turned and entered Prager's wall paper es­tablishment, saying, "He did it," and walked to the rear of the store, where he sat down on a chair. A moment later, at the solicitation of Mr. Prager, he rose, lay down on a counter, and then died. Garrison, the murderer, walked down the street with the revolver in his hand, and told Col. A. A. Franzheim and one or two friends briefly what had occurred, and, going to the City Hall, surrendered himself to the Chief of Police. He was locked up. Trouble between the two physicians dates back for a year. Before that time they were the closest friends, and when Dr. Garrison was chosen Health Officer, he being then a young physician, Dr. Baird performed the duties of the office while Dr. Garrison was absent at the college, and allowed the latter to draw the salary. About a year ago Dr. Garrison obtained a war­rant for the arrest of Dr. Baird, charging him with a violation of law as to a death certificate, and this led up to a personal encounter in the City Hall last August, when Dr. Baird attacked Dr. Garrison and was knocked down. Since then the trouble has continued, until it culminated in today's tragedy. The popular excitement is most intense, and many threats against Dr. Garrison's life are heard. ======================================================================================= April 7, 1887 SHE ENDS HER OWN LIFE WHEELING, West Va., April 6.--Just after breakfast at her suburban home, this morning, Mrs. Homer Briggs, wife of a prominent citizen of this county, repaired to her bedroom and cut her throat from ear to ear with a butcher's knife, half severing the head from the body. The cause of her act is unknown. ======================================================================================= March 20, 1883 IN DEATH NOT DIVIDED From the Wheeling (West Va.) Intelligencer, March 17. About 10 days ago Mr. Jacob House was obliged to take to his bed at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. F. E. Olmstead, on the Island. There seemed to be an entire collapse of his system and the old gentleman realized that dissolution was not far distant. His faithful wife nursed him carefully, but the task was too great for her and brought on heart trouble to which she was subject, so that on Wednesday she was obliged to remain in her bed and Thursday afternoon she died. Last evening her husband followed her. He was in his seventy- fifth year, she in her seventy-third. For over 52 years they had lived happily together and had anticipated dying very close together; in fact it was often a theme of conversation with them. When Mr. House was taken ill his children did not think that there was cause for serious alarm, although he was very feeble, but after his wife was taken ill he appeared to sink faster and seemed to find a source of gratification in the fact that she, with him, was at death's door. Before she was taken ill he remarked that he feared their anticipation of dying together would not be realized. Thursday he sent word to her saying "Good-bye." After her death he refused to take any nourishment or stimulant, closing his lips against what was offered, although the physicians said that had he taken them he would probably have rallied. ======================================================================================= February 13, 1886 CAUSED BY A WIFE'S INFIDELITY. WHEELING, West Va., Feb. 12.--James M. Warthen, a prominent merchant of this city, was fired at with murderous intent by Morris Cohn, a well known Hebrew, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, the ball passing through his clothing near the heart. Thinking he had killed Warthen, Cohn then placed the revolver to his head and fired, the ball penetrating the brain. Cohn cannot recover. The affair grew out of the intimacy of Mrs. Cohn and Warthen, which has been going on for years. The prominence of the parties makes the case of absorbing interest here and in neighboring cities. ======================================================================================= August 3, 1884 ELOPING WITH WIFE'S SISTER. WHEELING, West Va., Aug. 1.--The disgraceful elopment of Harvey Woodruff, a merchant in Marshall County, in this State, with his wife's sister, has created great excitement in that place and revived many interesting facts regarding his life. Woodruff suddenly left his business and family last April, leaving no trace as to his movements or fate. His wife, after endeavoring in vain to find him, settled up his business, which had become badly involved, realizing from the wreck enough to insure her and children a comfortable support. This settlement was concluded two weeks ago and had barely been accomplished when the husband returned as mysteriously as he had disappeared, making no explanation beyond saying he had been in Oregon. A scandal was suspected but the matter quieted down and bid fair to be forgotten. Wednesday, however, it was renewed by Woodruff again abandoning his family, taking with him his wife's sister, a beautiful and highly accomplished young lady, lately a graduate of the Wheeling Female Seminary, where she stood high in her classes. She went about much in Wheeling society, and was acknowledged as one of the belles of the city. Woodruff's conduct is especially denounced from the fact that he took with him all the available cash his wife had on hand and as much of her clothing and personal effects as could be contained in half a dozen trunks. ======================================================================================= March 2, 1884 KILLED BY HIS FRIEND A Man Shot in the Public Street IN WHEELING WHEELING, West Va., March 1.--At 8:45 o'clock this evening a man was shot dead on the sidewalk in front of August Miller's saloon, on Market-Street, a few doors north of Tenth-Street. The shooting was witnessed by Robert G. Hobbs and Charles F. Schrimp, acquaintances of the murdered man, and from them and inmates of the saloon the following particulars of the tragedy were obtained. Charles Dick, the murdered man, and a companion named George Bittner, both glass-house men, entered Miler's saloon about 8:30 o'clock, where a large crowd was assembled. Dick and Bittner had two or three glasses of beer together and, after talking pleasantly for a few moments, the former went out to the sidewalk. In about two minutes Bittner followed, and almost immediately the occupants of the room were startled by a pistol-shot. A rush was made for the door, wehre Hobbs was met. The latter exclaimed, "A man has been killed; who did it?" Hobbs rushed back to the curbstone, and turning the body face upward, exclaimed, "It's Charlie Dick! Where is George Bittner?" Dick was dead, with a bullet-hole in his right temple, apparently made by a 38-calibre revolver. Hobbs detailed the shooting as he saw it. He said: "Schrimp and myself were walking up Market-street just north of Tenth, when we noticed two men talking, about the centre of the sidewalk, and directly in front of the door to Miller's Saloon. When we had approached to within 40 or 50 yards, one of the men, who had his back turned to us, suddenly stepped back, raised a revolver, and discharged a shot into the face of his companion. The latter threw up his hands, whirled half around, and fell heavily on his face. The murderer turned as we started to run, and seeing us ran up the street and disappeared. I cannot say who it was. I did not recognize the man who fired the shot. He stepped back two or three steps after shooting, all the time keeping his eyes on the prostrate form, but on hearing his approach he ran off. I ran to the saloon door and cried out: 'A man has been murdered.' Then the crowd came out." Mr. Miller said in answer to a question as to what he knew of the shooting, "I knew nothing of the shooting until Hobbs opened the door and gave the alarm. I hears a shot, but the crowd was making a good deal of noise, and I, thinking it was some distance away, gave it no thought. Bittner and Dick were on good terms; they had no hard words while in my place." Dick was a married man, about 29 years of age, and was very popular among a large circle of acquaintances. He and Bittner were fast friends and no motive for the murder can be found at this writing. Bittner admitted the killing, but pleads self-defense, stating that he had been knocked down two or three times by Dick before he fired the fatal shot. ======================================================================================= February 4, 1884 MARRIED TO A TRAMP. Strange Freak of a Young and Beautiful Girl. WHEELING, West. Va., Feb. 3.--Society circles in Moundsville, Marshall County, are badly torn up over the elopement of Miss Nellie Hazlett, a talented and beautiful young lady, and belle of the town, and the heiress to considerable property, with a tramp. The latter's name is James Howard, and a more disgusting and repulsive specimen of the class to which he belongs could not be found in a long day's search. The cause of Miss Hazlett's infatuation, elopement, and marriage with the knight of the road cannot even be surmised by any disclosures, the matter bids fair to remain in the dark. The beginning of this romance is detailed as follows: About a month ago Howard was engaged by Miss Hazlett's uncle, at whose house Nellie was living, her uncle being her guardian, to do odd chores about the place. Miss Nellie naturally saw much of him during this time, and once or twice within the past two weeks her uncle observed her in conversation with Howard and advised her to keep away from him. She apparently heeded his advice, and the family gave the matter no further thought until they were astounded on Friday evening by the discovery that Nellie and Howard were both missing. A search was at once begun, but nothing could be heard of the runaways beyond the fact that they had taken an east-bound Baltimore and Ohio train. To-day the couple turned up at the residence of the uncle, to whom Nellie blandly stated that she and Howard were married and intended to settle down. Intimate friends of the family are inclined to think the girl's object in eloping was to pique a recreant lover. ======================================================================================= October 6, 1883 CONVICTED OF MURDER. WHEELING, West Va., Oct. 5.--In the Circuit Court to-day Guenther Schnelle was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. Last March Schnelle killed his uncle, or, as he alleges, his father, Dr. Guenther Schuchardt, a German medical specialist, in the latter's drug store in this city. Schuchardt was very wealthy, and had provided for Schnelle's brother, but not for him. This, it is alleged, was the motive for the crime. The defense set up a plea of insanity. Yesterday Schnelle created a sensation by going on the stand and giving a dramatic recital of his crime and its motives. He said that Schuchardt had ruined his mother and then refused to own him as his son. He went to the drug store to get Schuchardt to sign an acknowledgement of his paternity, resolved if he failed in this to commit suicide. He had promised his mother to revenge her wrong by killing Schuchardt, but did not intend to fulfill his promise until confronted by Schuchardt, when his mother's form appeared to him and urged him to kill the doctor. He fired at Schuchardt and then shot himself. An appeal will be taken to the supreme Court. ======================================================================================= August 26, 1883 MAKING SERIOUS CHARGE WHEELING, West Va., Aug. 25.--A special to the Register from Moundsville, West. Va., records a frightful state of affairs at the Marshall County Poor-house. The advent of a new Superintendent has developed abuses and cruelties of the most sickening character, and an investigating committee is loudly called for. The infirmary is an old dilapidated structure, far from weatherproof, containing nine rooms, of which only four, the smallest in the building, are devoted to the use of the inmates. There are 21 inmates - men, women, and children, old and young, idiots, sick, and cripples - who are crowded indiscriminately together in these rooms, eating and sleeping in the same apartments regardless of age, sex, or condition. Modesty is, of course, unknown, and the most revolting cruelties and debaucheries are hinted at, which, if true, are a disgrace to any civilized community, Citizens who claim to know assert that when the facts are known the recent Tewksbury developments will be thrown far in the shade. ======================================================================================= November 30, 1879 AN OLD VIRGINIA ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY From the Wheeling (West Va.) Intelligencer, Nov. 27. We were favored yesterday with a copy of the proceedings of a memorable meeting held in this county in the Summer of 1844, whereat, we may say, the first organization looking to an Anti-Slavery Party in the State of Virginia, was formed. Some of the names that appear on the Anti-Slavery ticket put forth by this little band are familiar to many of our older readers. For instance, the name of Joseph Bryant, of Brooke County, than whom in his day a sturdier Roman did not live on Virginia soil. He was once imprisoned and tried in this city on a charge of having assisted in the escape of runaway slaves. John Gilmor, too, another old Roman, was a man of high character and influence in this county. He was a Justice of the Peace in 1839, at the time of the celebrated petition that was sent to Congress from the Panhandle, and presented to that body by John Quincy Adams, praying the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. This petition raised a storm of indignation in this county, especially here in Wheeling, and a public meeting was held at the Court-house on the 12th of January, 1839, at which the act of the petitioners was reprobated and denounced in the severest terms as an act of disloyalty to Virginia and her "peculiar institution." John Gilmor was called on by his fellow Justices who composed our County Court in those days to resign his seat on the bench, which request he declined in his characteristically fearless and decided manner, and yet not without giving his reasons, which were excellent. John Parkinson, another member of the Electoral ticket, still lives in Marshall County, near Cameron, honored and respected by all who know him. Most of the anti-slavery pioneers of the country, passed away, but the names of this band of Covenanters deserve to be held in perpetual remembrance by the people of West Virginia, for the stand they took at that early and dangerous day in the defense of the rights and liberties of conscience on the subject of the great and growing evil of slavery. ======================================================================================= August 9, 1879 GREW THE WOOD FOR HIS OWN COFFIN From the Wheeling (West Va.) Intelligencer, Aug. 6. A remarkable story is told of the late Capt. Stone of Moundsville, who was buried at the beginning of this week. Thirty-five years ago he came from New Orleans to Moundsville to make his home, and brought with him two seeds of a mahogany-like tree that flourished near his former home. These he planted, remarking to his family that he would have his coffin made from the tree. One of the seeds died, but the other flourished and grew. From a shoot it became a sapling, and finally, in the course of 30 years, grew to a fine tree. About eight months ago, a severe wind-storm passed over Moundsville, and Capt. Stone found his tree laid prostrate. He had it dried, sawed into lumber, and sent to a Pittsburg firm. In a short time it was returned to him in the form of a beautiful coffin, and for four months it was preserved at his residence. About two weeks ago he contracted a sickness that culminated in his death, and his desire being fulfilled, he was laid away in the coffin he planned 35 years ago.