When the jury has your back but your neighbours tear your house down?
BENT MOUNTAIN THE SCENE OF A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.—SALEM, VA.
Bent mountain, in this county, was the scene of a terrible tragedy last night. A man by the name of Thomas Webber, who lives in that section, upon returning home found a man by the name of Collins with his wife. Webber remarked that he was going to kill Collins. As soon as he said this he struck Collins with an axe, splitting his head open. Death was instantaneous. No further particulars have been learned.—*Richmond Dispatch.*
**CONTINUED UNTIL TO-DAY.—**
The case of Thomas J. Webber, for killing Henry Collins recently, was called in the county court last Monday, but on account of the absence of an important witness it was continued until to-day (Friday), when it is probable it will be heard.
**The Jury Acquitted Him.**
The trial of Thomas J. Webber, for the murder of Henry Collins, on Bent Mountain, in December last (the particulars of which are well-known to our readers,) was concluded in the county court last Friday, the jury rendering a verdict of acquittal. The evidence of others, and the statement of Webber, were such as to convince the jury that Webber had committed a justifiable homicide. After hearing the evidence the case was submitted to the jury without argument, and in less than twenty minutes the jury returned with the above stated verdict, which seems to give entire satisfaction. In fact we have never heard any one express a belief that it would be otherwise. The following gentlemen composed the jury: Coleman Smith, J. W. Bushong, E. F. Morgan, T. H. Rhodes, Allen Anderson, John Owens, John Strickler, Wm. A. Brown, James H. Peck, Wm. A. Henderson, George F. Heller, L. D. Marshall. We learn that the jury were unanimous in favor of the verdict rendered.
**THE OLD LOVE TOO STRONG.—**
Thomas Webber, of Bent Mountain, who killed Henry Collins last December for undue attentions to his wife, and who was subsequently tried for murder and acquitted, has lost to some extent, if reports be true, the sympathy of the people of the locality in which he resides. He went back after his acquittal to his old home and lately decided to live with his wife again. Accordingly he rented another house and having fitted it up as comfortably as he could, he and his wife and children moved into their new home.
On the first night of their occupancy, however, a number of unknown men visited the dwelling and pulled it down over their ears, warning them at the same time not to attempt to live together again in that neighborhood.
*Roanoke Times.*
The *Times* is altogether in error in the above item, and does Mr. Webber an injustice. From reliable parties we learn that Webber did not go back to his home with any intention of again living with his wife; but a few days ago he did go there after his children, and took them away, together with some of his household effects. That night, however, some unknown parties went to the house formerly occupied by Webber, and tore it down, but at the time no one was in it, and Mr. Webber was then at the house of a gentleman near Salem, to whom he had engaged to work.