Thursday, October 10, 1901
CIRCUIT COURT JEROME KELLISON
The interest of the first day or two of court centered in the impending trial of Jerome Kellison, who killed Mrs. Julia Simmons in 1899, at her home on Williams River Mountain. The prisoner was brought in looking very uncomfortable in a new suit of clothes and boiled shirt and collar. He had secured no attorney and the court intimated that he would appoint some distinguished member of the bar to defend the young man.
There was a panic among the lawyers, and the judge adjourned Court till afternoon. During that time, various members of the bar conferred with the judge showing their great willingness to bow to the mandate of the court, but describing some circumstances that made them particularly unfit to undertake the defense in this case.
During the morning, however, Kellison’s friends employed N. C. McNeil and H. S. Rucker to defend him they asked for a continuance on the ground of Charles Apperson’s absence and it was granted.
THE FOGUS CASE
The first case to go to the jury was the Houston Fogus case for shying a bottle at a passenger train last Fourth of July at Buckeye. He rode down from Marlinton and playfully stopped the train a few times by pulling the emergency car and applying the air. When he was rebuked for his childlike gambols, he got sulky and wanted to fight. He got out at Buckeye and shed his coat and made other hostile demonstrations. When the train pulled out and as it was running slowly, Fogus shied a bottle with whiskey in it, at B. T. Dixon, train master, who, with about 25 others, was on the platform between the two cars.
The bottle struck the cornice of the car, broke and sprinkled the crowd with shattered glass and mean whiskey. The train was stopped and Fogus arrested.
Now Fogus was like the man who shot the albatross, he had done a much more serious thing than he imagined, the laws of this state making it a felony to throw things at passenger trains.
Fogus was ably defended by N. C. McNeil, but the jury brought in a verdict of guilty.
THE GRAND JURY
The grand jury was in session five days and brought in 181 indictments, the greatest number ever returned by a grand jury of this county. The bulk of them were directed at the whiskey traffic.
LABOR AND CAPITAL
Ex-Senator H. G. Davis and Senator Elkins have their homes at Elkins on the slopes overlooking the city, and for beauty of situation may challenge the world in comparison, for very much that is beautiful in floral adornment and natural scenery.
Senator Elkins is of the opinion that the best way to help the workingman, and most enduring prosperity, is for the capital to furnish employment and pay prompt and liberal wages. In this instance, Davis and Elkins in their princely homes of laboring men who take pleasure in their prosperity, instead of cherishing envious, revengeful feelings.
“Were it not for these fine homes on the hill, we would not have our own sweet and pleasant homes around here; and the better it is with Elkins and Davis, the better it is for us.”
WEDDING
The home of Dr. C. W. Eskridge, Academy, W. Va., was the scene of a very pretty wedding at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, 1901, when Mrs. Belle I. Kershner became the bride of Mr. Geo. W. Snyder.
The contracting parties were ushered in by Miss Daisy Eskridge, sister of the bride, and Miss Nettie Callison.
After congratulations, a delightful lunch of sweets was served.
In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder drove to Marlinton, where they will make their home for the present.
DIED
Col. D. W. Kerr died September 21st at the home of his son, Dr. A. F. Kerr, at Millboro, in the 89th year of his age.
He was a native of Pocahontas County and for many years a citizen of prominence in country affairs. He built Liberty and Huntersville churches and numerous residences. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and for more than 50 years a Ruling Elder. He was specially invited to be present at the late semi-centennial exercises at Liberty Church and died in a few hours after receiving the note of invitation…
