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Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Feb 15, 1908
Page
1
Angry crowds chase a prisoner after a murder in Pocahontas. Officers escort Rippey aboard a special train to Tazewell as mobs gather in Graham and Pocahontas. The derailment of tension ends with custody secured and a streetcar ride to the jail.
A crowd in Bluefield tried to seize a rapist from officials at Pocahontas but prompt authority action prevented bloodshed. A Negro man confessed fully and detailed the crime.
Walter Rippey committed two crimes within forty eight hours and fled before being pursued by armed posses and officers. He is jailed in Tazewell and faces a speedy trial, with justice expected to be swift. The confession and victims’ accounts describe a brutal assault in a remote gorge setting.
During the night a posse consisting of G. W. Mays Max Smith J H Kidd Abe Vivars Lucian Hell and Dr L J Stump while searching the mountains stopped at the big fan house of the Norfolk and Western at Coaldale depot for the ventilation of the Elkhorn tunnel and found the sleeping Rippey object of their search.
George Rippey, described as a confessed rapist, was hurried by a posse from Pocahontas to Tazewell by train amid mob threats from 300 to 400 people. Police and officers used revolvers to shield him as he was packed into a box car and transported toward Graham and Bluefield, while authorities vow to uphold the law despite ongoing mob pressure. Rippey had been tried in 1907 for a similar assault on Miss Carr near Pocahontas but was not convicted.
In Pocahontas Virginia on Wednesday Mrs Dancey begged the attacker not to harm her and her three children. The suspect was captured last night at a railroad fan in Coaldale by Capt J H Kidd, telegraph operator at Bluestone Junction, and councilman. He confessed to witnesses and indicated the crime scene.
Robert Ward Gott allegedly took Miss Nannie Spangler to Queen City for treatment and a dispute over prescribed medicine led to a shooting. Gott spoke incoherently after arrest, hindering police from obtaining his account. The young woman is in serious condition and cannot speak much.
Rob ert Ward Gott of near Princeton shot and killed Dr. Danziger in Cincinnati. Gott, son of Andrew Gott, had brought his family including Miss Anna Spangler to the city after a dispute over medicine prescribed for Miss Spangler. Spangler is Robert Spangler's daughter, adopted by Mrs Ward Gott after Mrs Spangler's death years ago.
Dr. Leo Danziger was shot and instantly killed at a patient’s bedside in Cincinnati by Robert W. Gott, a mountain farmer from near Princeton West Virginia. The victim’s patient Miss Nannie Spangler is Gott’s niece and remains in serious condition. The dispute over treatment prompted Gott to fire, and he was arrested as police described his incoherent statements.
Anna Bell Spangler, 17, lies in critical condition after a reported criminal operation before Dr. Danziger arrived. Robert Gott, his wife and three children with a niece, recently from Princeton West Virginia, is in custody. The shooting witness is dying, and Gott attempted to harm himself in custody, needing guard supervision.
Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch reports a full confession from Leo C. Thurman of West Point Kentucky for the February 1 1906 murder of Walter P Dolzen in Newport News Virginia. Dolzen’s body was found in a trunk with $400 missing after Thurman escaped and was later captured in Vancouver British Columbia. Thurman did not testify at trial, claiming insanity from a baseball injury in Indiana as a boy.
The Thompson-Colts of Chicago, Canadian Bowlers' Association champions, defeated the 1907 five-man champions of the ABC, NBA, WBA, and CBA in Cincinnati. They earned $400 in gold after nine games over three nights, finishing with a total of 8,178 pins.
Secretary of War William H. Taft spoke to the United States Military Academy graduates in West Point on February 14. He advised the 108 new second lieutenants about the duties and hardships of army life and stressed that the military must remain subordinate to the government and that soldiers must obey orders.
Washington February 14 house committee on mines and mining heard Rep Wilson of Pennsylvania push a resolution to appoint a nine member commission with three engineers three mine workers three mine owners and three lawyers. The panel action was postponed until after the Indianapolis miners meeting on the 26th.
Columbus Ohio February 14 Governor Harris signed the Rathburn bill prohibiting intox icants on trains except in compartments or cars where sold and it takes effect at once Violations become a misdemeanor punishable by fine
An ad proclaims a change service claiming banks are closed and promising customers new mint money. It touts always having surplus change and urges visitors to have items tuned or repaired at the Altamont Hotel with guaranteed work by H. L. Farmer.
Richmond Va February 14 fire wiped out a grocery company warehouse in Charlottesville with an estimated loss of 75,000. Insurance coverage was reported at 70,000 leaving a gap. No further details on causes or casualties were provided.
Valparaiso Chile February 14 The great American fleet of sixteen battleships under Rear Admiral Evans passed Valparaiso this afternoon and continued on in voyage northward for Callao the next stop
Pedigo's Clearance Sale continues all week with Lace Curtains and other items newly added as this week’s retail event.
Prohibition gains support amid a Valentine themed proposal as the West Virginia Senate weighs measures. The text highlights a spirited political moment with supporters and opponents debated in the chamber.
The Maryland senate passed a constitutional amendment to disenfranchise colored voters, setting educational or property qualifications. It moves to a public ratification vote at the 1909 general election in November. The notice ends with an unrelated ad line about Blue Ribbon Lemon and Vanilla.
Full Course Dinner 1 to 8 o'clock Daily at Windsor Hotel. 50 cents for a complete meal. Also Moley’s Honey and Tar cures coughs, expels cold, mildly laxative. Genuine in yellow package, sold by G H Wade, druggist.
Theodore Alvord tells Telegraph correspondent he is disappointed by a doubtful vote but bears no hard feelings and vows to keep up the fight. The chamber is crowded with friends of the measure and two other members ready to change. The governor is considering calling another extra session.
The record shows fourteen Republicans and five Democrats voted for the Ashburn amendment, while ten Republicans and one Democrat opposed. Notable names include Ashburn Ballard Blue Campbell Carroll Fisher Forman Hatfield Hicks Hill Kidd Little Page Leftwich Marshall Montgomery McDermott Santee Post Thom and Batley Baker Cossin Gartlan Hazlett Johnson Miller McKann Silver White Whyte. The breakdown reflects party lines and regional representation in the chamber.
In Charleston on February 14 the prohibition bill failed to reach two thirds, 19 to 11, leaving it short by one vote. Several lawmakers indicated they might have changed votes, while President McDermott threatened to clear the chamber to maintain order. Governor Dawson weighed another extra session as editorials note continued opposition and support among Senators Bailey Campbell Lutlepage Hill Hazlett and others. The Daily Telegraph spoke with Theodore Alvord after the vote.
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