Welsh of Harpers Ferry

Evidence Category: Martinsburg Statesman-Democrat

  • Charles Gray; Shot.

    Shot By Bad Negro.

    Charles Gray, a well-known Baltimore and Ohio fireman, running on the Millville limestone train was shot and mortally wounded in front of the Baltimore and Ohio station at Weverton late Saturday night, dying early Sunday morning at the hospital in Brunswick. In company with his engineer, Mr. Long had driven from Brunswick, and after transacting some business they started to return home. They met “Nigger Kim” Semples, a dangerous character, who after a few words, pulled a gun and shot the fireman in the abdomen. The negro escaped. Engineer Long, who was in eye witness to the shooting, says the negro killed his fireman without the slightest provocation. Gray was aged 43 years, and leaves his widow and three children. The murderer was formerly employed by Mrs. Hardy, widow of Deputy Sheriff Hardy, who was killed by an unknown negro near Weverton several months ago. Semple was captured at Bakerton on Tuesday and was taken to Hagerstown for trial.

  • Death: Raleigh Moler

    Raleigh Moler.

    Mr. Raleigh Moler, of Washington, who was born at Bakerton, Jefferson county, died Saturday of heart failure. The body was brought to Harpers Ferry Sunday on train No. 55, and the funeral party was taken to Shepherdstown where the funeral services were held and interment made.

  • Federal Prisoners from area picked up; headed for Wheeling

    Federal Prisoners.

    Captain Dawson, the U. S. deputy Marshal left here on last Saturday with a number of prisoners for Wheeling for the federal court.

    One was Nick Carter, No. 3, an Italian from the quarries at Bakerton charged with selling liquor without license. He also had a negro named John Cook up for bootlegging and one Bob Snyder charged with violations of postal laws.

  • Grimm, cooper, killed by B&O

    Run Down By No. 8

    A cooper named Grimm who worked at the lime Kiln’s at Bakerton, was struck and instantly killed by No. 8, last Friday, on the B. & O. at a point about a mile west of Engle’s. He was walking on the East bound track and a fast freight going west prevented his hearing the passenger train. He was thrown across a wire fence, and was dead when picked up. His remains were taken to Duffield, where he had a brother living.

  • Hopper-Ruark Marriage

    HOPPER-RUARK.

    Miss Beulah Ruark, daughter of Mrs. Clara Ruark, 112 Swartz street, and the late William H. Ruark, was married Monday evening at 7 o’clock to Mr. William F. Hopper, of Cincinnati, O., by Rev. Dr. F. M. Woods at the Presbyterian parsonage. They left on No. 14 for Baltimore where they will spend a few days and then return to this city. After a short visit here they will leave for Cincinnati where they will reside. 

    The bride is an attractive and popular young lady. Mr. Hopper is from Bakerton, Jefferson county but is now an electrical engineer.

  • Colvin, Struck by Train. Killed Instantly

    Fell Asleep on Track and Killed

    Clarence Colvin, a B. & O. Brakeman, Struck by No. 4 at Flagg’s Crossing Sunday Morning.

    Clarence P. Colvin, aged 30 years of age, a Baltimore and Ohio freight brakeman residing near Bakerton, was instantly killed Sunday morning about 5 o’clock at Flagg’s crossing, a mile and a half east of this city by passenger train No. 4.


    Colvin was on an eastbound freight train, using the freight track. While the engine, which had been uncoupled from the train had gone ahead a couple hundred yards to the water tank, was taking water Colvin sat down on the end of a railroad tie on the east-bound passenger track and fell asleep. Before his engine got back, No. 4 came along and struck him, hurling him in the air and dashing his brains out against one of the ties.

    Found Colvin’s lifeless body lying along the tracks. It was sent to this city and taken in charge by Undertaker Wilen. The body was sent home this morning on No. 40 and the funeral will be held tomorrow, with interment at Charles Town.

    Mr. Colvin leaves a wife but no children. Two brothers, Louis and Peter Colvin, of Charles Town, also survive for several years.

    He had been employed by the B. & O. Coroner W. R. Kline was notified of the accident and he went down to the scene, but after learning the circumstances of it he decided that an inquest was unnecessary.

  • Hopper visits Bakerton

    Mr. Elmer M. Hopper and family, North High street, went to Bakerton Tuesday to spend the remainder of the week with friends.

  • Lizzie Hopper Returns to Bakerton

    Miss Lizzie Hopper, who has been on a visit to friends in this city has returned to her home in Bakerton.

  • Houseworth Instantly Killed at Bakerton by B&O

    HOUSEWORTH.

    Mr. Smith Houseworth, one of Martinsurg’s most venerable citizens was instantly killed at Bakerton on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad on Wednesday last about 2 o’clock. Mr. Houseworth had been on a visit to friends at Harper’s Ferry and started back Wednesday. He stopped to see a friend at Bakerton and was waiting at the station for a train to come home and while crossing the track passenger train No. 2 which was about four hours late came suddenly around the curve and struck him knocking him a considerable distance. The back of the skull was crushed and many other bones were broken. He was dead when picked up.

    The remains were brought here by Undertaker W. H. Wilen and prepared for burial after which they were taken to the home of Mr. W. Houseworth his brother on West King street from where the funeral takes place today at 10 o’clock. Rev. Dr. Canter of Trinity M. E. church officiating and the interment was in Green HIll cemetery.

    Mr. Houseworth was for many years a consistent member of the methodist church and was a quiet unassuming citizen. He was the son of the late Isaac Houseworth and lived in California and Texas from his early life until about six years ago when he came home to live a retired life. He was 69 years old was never married. He is survived by three brothers: W. W. Houseworth here and Messrs. John and Coe Houseworth both in California.

  • Bakerton Campmeeting at Duke’s Woods

    Camp-Meeting at Bakerton.

    Charles Town W. Va, July 26. – A camp-meeting will be held in Duke’s woods, at Bakerton, W. Va., commencing August 11 and continuing 10 days. The meeting will be in charge of Rev. T. C. Jones. The following ministers are expected to be present: Revs. F. A. Strother, George Hazel, W. P. C. Coe, W. H. D. Harper, A. F. Campbell, of Baltimore, and A. F. Jones, evangelist. Sunday August 13, a special sermon will be preached to the Red Men by Rev. T. C. Jones.