All Over a Barrel
of Whiskey

In Alleghany county last Friday night Scott McCraw and Pet Poup were shot and killed from ambush by unknown parties. Both men were prominent citizens. McCraw, a few years ago, while jailor, shot and killed a member of a party which lynched a man named Slaughter from Virginia. It is believed that McCraw was shot by Slaughter's friends.

WINSTON, N.C., June 27. — In Alleghany county last evening Scott McCraw, ex-jailer, and Pet Poup, were shot and killed from ambush by unknown parties. Both men were good citizens. McCraw, a few years ago, while jailer, killed a member of a party who lynched a man named Slaughter from Virginia. It is believed that McCraw was shot yesterday by friends of the man he killed.

A later dispatch from Elkin, dated June 27th, says that Deputy Sheriff Jones, of Allegany, arrived in town late yesterday afternoon and gave fuller particulars of the tragedy which happened at Sparta Thursday, in which one man lost his life and another was dangerously wounded. It seems that the lynching affair had nothing to do with it, but it was all over whiskey. A barrel of whiskey was found near where McCraw was killed. Four men, Isom Wagner, Young Edwards, Oliver Duncan and Pet Watson have been arrested on suspicion and will have their preliminary trial to-day. Roup, one of the wounded men, claims to have recognized two of the men arrested. It is claimed that the whiskey was taken from these men and hid in the woods and that McCraw was on his way after some of it when he met his death. Be it as it may it is a very ugly affair and may lead to further trouble.

Alleghany was the scene of a murder last Thursday night. Scott McCraw was shot through the head and heart and killed instantly, and a man by the name of Rooper was badly wounded by a shot fired from a shot gun. McCraw was formerly jailer of the county and was the chief witness in the lynching case.

Reports are meagre and conflicting, but it seems that some brandy had been stolen from Duncan Bros., and they had found it hidden in the woods near Sparta. McCraw, it seems, knew where the liquor was and took Rooper with him to get a drink. They went to where this brandy was, and there they were fired upon with the result mentioned. It is believed that the Duncans and friends had gone there with guns to see who would come after the liquor, and that they did the shooting.

They were arrested next day and tried before a magistrate, but were released.

The matter has been brought to the attention of Solicitor Mott, and he will probably go over there this week, and if the circumstances justify, will have the case reopened.

The quiet of the little town of Sparta the county seat of Alleghany was disturbed about three o'clock last Thursday evening by the rapid firing of pistols and guns about a quarter of a mile south of town. When the smoke of the battle had cleared away it was found that Scott McCraw lay dead with a bullet through his heart and another one in his head either one of which would have produced death. Pet Roup lay a short distance off dangerously shot in the face, side and breast. His recovery is extremely doubtful.

And this is how the trouble began as we heard it from reliable parties. Some whiskey had been taken from whom or by whom we did not learn. Scott McCraw, Pet Roup and Joshua Holloway left Sparta about three o'clock McCraw had a jug when they arrived in the woods where the shooting took place some one opened fire on them from ambush, with the results above stated. A barrel of liquor was found near where McCraw was shot. Holloway was not hurt. Roup who was shot claims to have recognized two of the men and with this clue Sheriff Joines took the trail and arrested Isom Wagoner, O.F. Duncan, Pet Watson and Young Edwards, who are accused of the crime.

McCraw was jailer at the time Slaughter was lynched and shot several of the lynchers. This may have had something to do with his being put out of the way, but those from Alleghany whom we have talked with say not. He was the principal witness against them but will not be there to testify against them at any rate. So much for the laws delay in putting off important cases from court to court.

Roup the other man shot is a son of ex-Register of Deeds Roup of Alleghany and has always borne a good character. The men arrested accused of the crime stoutly declare their innocence and have employed able counsel to defend them.

Whither are we drifting when a man is assassinated on the public highway a quarter of a mile from the courthouse in broad open daylight. And this in a civilized country. A country of churches and Sunday Schools. Some of the mission money that is being sent to heathen lands had evidently better be kept at home and expended in North Carolina when such high handed and disgraceful scenes stain the pages of our history as the above affair. What a pity that men will let their angry passions arise high enough to kill a fellow mortal and all over — a barrel of whiskey.

A telegram from Elkin, to the daily press, gives an account of a bloody highway assault and death, which occurred near Sparta, the county seat of Alleghany on the afternoon of June 25th.

The particulars given are that Scott McCraw, Pet Roup and Joshua Holloway were returning from dinner to the field to work, and when passing through a strip of woods on the public road two pistol shots rang out and McCraw fell dead, pierced through the heart with the assassin's bullet. The other ball lodged in his head. Either shot would have produced death. Two more shots were fired in quick succession and Roup received a bad wound in the side and in the breast. His recovery is extremely doubtful. The assassin or assassins were hid behind a clump of bushes and could not be seen. The affair all happened in broad open daylight and not a half mile from the Court-House. McCraw was the jailer at the time Slaughter was lynched two or three years ago, and shot and wounded several of the lynchers and was the main witness against them at their approaching trial in August, and it is surmised by many that this is the cause of his being put out of the way. Why Roup was shot is a mystery, as he had nothing whatever to do with the lynching matter, for or against. He is the son of ex-Register of Deeds Roup, of Alleghany. There is hardly any clue to the murderer or murderers.

Scott McCraw was shot through the head and heart and killed instantly, and a man by the name of Rooper was badly wounded by a shot fired from a shot gun. McCraw was formerly jailer of the county and was the chief witness in the lynching case.

Reports are meagre and conflicting, but it seems that some brandy had been stolen from Duncan Bros., and they had found it hidden in the woods near Sparta. McCraw, it seems, knew where the liquor was and took Rooper with him to get a drink. They went to where to where this brandy was, and there they were fired upon with the result mentioned. It is believed that the Duncans and friends had gone there with guns to see who would come after the liquor, and that they did the shooting.

They were arrested next day and tried before a magistrate, but were released.

The matter has been brought to the attention of Solicitor Mott, and he will probably go over there this week, and if the circumstances justify, will have the case reopened.

A card from Mr. Solomon Joines, at Whitehead, N.C., states that the recent killing of Scott McCraw, in Alleghany county, was not at the instigation of parties who lynched Slaughter and that the supposition is false and is the opinion of the general public. The men accused of lynching Slaughter had nothing to fear from Scott McCraw and sincerely regret his death.

In our report, under later intelligence, we corrected a statement on the line of the above, attributing liquor as the origin of the trouble and not the lynching of Slaughter, which Mr. Joines possibly failed to see but in part substantiates.

Four white men — Isham Wagener, Young Edwards, Oliver Duncan and Pat Watson have been arrested in Allegheny county, charged with assassinating Scott McCrew and fatally wounding William Roup.

Winston, N.C., Sept. 19. — (Special) — Calvin and Oliver Duncan, brothers and members of one of Alleghany county's best families were brought here and placed in jail last night for safe keeping. They are charged with being implicated in the murder of Scott McCraw, jailer, of Alleghany several weeks ago. The brothers with their friends offered to put up a $50,000 bond, but Judge Hoke, before whom they appeared, refused to allow them to give bond. The men will have to remain here until March before they are tried.

WINSTON, Sept. 19. — Calvin and Oliver Duncan, brothers and members of one of Alleghany county's best families were brought here and placed in jail last night for safe keeping. They are charged with beeing implicated in the murder of Scott McCraw, jailer, of Alleghany several weeks ago. The brothers with their friends offered to put up a $50,000 bond, but Judge Hoke before whom they appeared refused to allow them to give bond. The men will have to remain here until March before they are tried.

At the recent term of Alleghany Superior Court, Isom Wagoner, Calvin and Oliver Duncan, Pet Watson and Young Edwards were arraigned, charged with implication in the murder of Scott McCraw, some time ago. McCraw was Jailer of Alleghany county, and the trouble originated about some liquor. His Honor released all but the Duncan brothers, and the Sheriff of Alleghany was instructed to bring them to this county for safe keeping until the next (March) term of Court of that county. The prisoners arrived here Saturday night. They offered to give bond, we learn, but the Judge refused to take the same.

Calvin and Oliver Duncan, members of one of the "best" families in Allegheny county, have been arrested for complicity in the murder of Scott McCraw, in Alleghany, several weeks ago. They were taken to Winston jail for safe-keeping. It is said that they could have given $50,000 bond, but Judge Hoke refused them bail.

At Alleghany court last week the grand jury returned a true bill against Calvin and Oliver Duncan Pet Watson Young Edwards and Isom Wagoner for the murder of Scott McCraw near Sparta a few months ago.

The case was continued until next court. Sheriff Joines and Dept. Sheriff Richardson arrived here Friday evening with the two Duncan brothers carrying them to the Winston jail for safe keeping Judge Hoke having refused bail. The other defendants are out on bail. Alleghany court does not convene again until next March so these men will spend the winter in jail.

The Governor should order a special term of court to try these men for if they are guilty, they should be tried at once, and if not guilty they ought not be allowed to languish in jail six months away from their families and business. The laws delays, in this case, is the cause of lynch law in our State and the courts are partly to blame for it. We learn that this case was postponed at the instance of solicitor Mott who is a Republican and is anxious to get out of the way to help his friend Russell try to pull Rum, Ruin and Radicalism over our beloved state. God bless the day that such a man as Russell should ever sit in the Governor's chair of North Carolina.

Winston Sentinel: Jailer Davis has eight county prisoners. O.F. and C.A. Duncan, of Alleghany county, who stand charged with the murder of Scott McCraw, in that county, are the only whites. They have been here about five months. — A committee from the county fathers visited the county home yesterday afternoon. There are twenty-four inmates in the home fourteen whites and ten blacks.

Sheriff L.J. Joines, of Alleghany, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff William Richardson went down to Winston last Thursday and came back Friday with Calvin and Oliver Duncan, who are charged with the murder of Scott McCraw near Sparta last May. They had been confined at Winston for safe keeping. They were to have been tried at Alleghany court this week, but it is more than probable that their trial will be postponed on account of the absence of Joshua Holloway, one of the main State's witnesses who has mysteriously disappeared. It is believed that Holloway has been paid to keep out of the way. Others think he has come foul dealt with. It is truly a mysterious affair.

Elkin March 26. — A heavy frost fell in this section last night and it is thought that the peach crop is ruined. There is still a good prospect for a big apple crop, as these trees were uninjured last night.

Sheriff Jones, of Alleghany, arrived here to-day from Winston with Calvin and Oliver Duncan, who are to be tried at Alleghany court next week for the murder of Scott McCraw. The prisoners have been confined in the Forsyth jail ever since last spring, for safe keeping.

O.F. and C.A. Duncan, brothers, who were in jail here, charged with the murder of Scott McCraw, in Alleghany county, last year, were expected to be tried at the next term of Alleghany Court, but this week's Star announces that Joshua Holloway, one of the State's most important witnesses in the Scott McCraw murder case, left, without leave, to parts unknown, Saturday night — and a day or two later his family followed. It is not positively known why he left.

The Star has heard two reasons assigned for Holloway leaving — one that he was afraid of the Court and the second that he was paid to leave. The absence of this witness, it is thought, will cause a postponement of the trial.

Sheriff L.J. Jones, of Alleghany, arrived here last night and this morning carried the Duncan brothers back to Alleghany for trial. Court opens next Monday, but the Sheriff thinks the disappearance of Holloway means a postponement of the trial. Holloway, he says, was with a man named Roup when the latter was peppered with shot from a gun in the hands of one of the Duncan boys.

The Sheriff says the brothers own a good farm and are in very good circumstances, financially speaking. They gave the officers money to buy them new clothes and shoes, which they wore back home. Both claim to be innocent. They have not the appearance of "desperate characters," but the Sheriff said they were men of determination and "good grit." He allowed them to go free — at least there were no nippers, ropes or chains used to prevent them from running. The officer will take his prisoners from Elkin to Sparta in a hack.

The brothers have employed Messrs. Doughton & Fields and Spencer Blackburn to represent them in the trial.

The brothers, O.F. & C.A. Duncan, left for Alleghany county, Friday morning in charge of Sheriff L.J. Jones of Alleghany. Court opened at Sparta, Monday and they are charged with the murder of Scott McCraw and were brought here, ostensibly for safe keeping. The difficulty occurred last July, and originated over some whiskey which the brothers claimed had been stolen from them. McCraw was shot dead. A man by the name of Roup was also peppered with shot from a gun in the hands of one of the Duncan boys. Another man by the name of Holloway was with Roup and is an important State witness. It appears, however, that he has left for parts unknown. The Alleghany Star alludes to his departure in its last issue. That paper says:

Joshua Holloway, one of the State's most important witnesses against the defendants in the Scott McCraw murder case, left without leave, Saturday night — and a day or two later his family followed. It is not positively known why he left. We have heard of two reasons assigned for his leaving; that he was afraid of the Court; that he was hired to leave, but we can not say whether either is correct or not. In case of the absence of this witness, the trial of the Duncan boys may be postponed.

Oliver and Calvin Duncan were tried at Alleghany court last week for the murder of Scott McCraw near Sparta last spring, a full account of which appeared in this paper. The jury were out only a few minutes and returned a verdict of not guilty.

The State was represented by J.W. McNeill, acting solicitor, and H.L. Greene, and the defendants by W.C. Fields, E. Spencer Blackburn and R.A. Doughton. It was one of the most important murder trials the county ever had. Joshua Holloway, one of the main State's witnesses, who disappeared about a week before court, failed to show up at the trial.

Readers of The Sentinel remember that two Duncan brothers were brought to Winston from Alleghany county last winter and placed in jail for safe keeping. They were charged with killing a man in their county over some whiskey. They were tried at Sparta last spring and acquitted.

A few nights ago one of the brothers, Oliver Duncan, saw two men near his house. From their actions he suspected something wrong. Duncan got two friends to assist him and tried to surround the suspicious characters, but they ran in his barn. He went to the house after a light, but while he was gone the men rushed out of the barn, knocked one of Duncan's friends down with a club and cut the other badly with a knife. Both escaped.

Mr. Duncan is convinced that the men were trying to murder him and thinks the attempt will be repeated.

A very few flakes of snow fell here last week. It was the first that has fallen here this season.

W.B. Norman and Joshua Holloway killed an eagle, a few days ago that measured from tip to tip seven feet and seven inches.

On last Saturday night, near town, Maxfield, colored, hit Lum Reynolds, colored on the head with a rock and fractured his skull. The doctors think there is some chance for his recovery.

Oliver Duncan died in Alleghany, near Sparta, last Saturday. It will be remembered that he and his brother Calvin were recently tried in Sparta court on the charge of killing Scott McCraw. They were acquitted. McCraw was killed while in the act of taking some brandy which belonged to the Duncans, which was hidden out in the bushes.