| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm
of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 12/12/1899.
Whose Conley is This?
Thomas Connolly was murdered by David Prater while working in a lumber
camp about four miles from Camden-on-Gauley. Joe Prater and his son, Lum,
each carrying a Winchester rifle, approached Conley and had a few words,
when Dave Prater, another son, who had been concealed behind a tree on
the opposite side of Conley from his father, stepped out and fired three
shots with a 38 caliber Winchester in quick succession, killing Conley
instantly.
The evening after Conley was killed Joe and Lum Prater rode into Camden
and demanded protection, stating that the lumbermen were talking of mobbing
them, Dave, the murderer, escaped. Conley leaves a wife and four
children.
Conley formerly lived in Calhoun county and was a nephew of Capt. Perry
Conley, who was killed in the glades during the war of 1861. The
Praters came from Kentucky, or the border line and affiliated with the
Hatfields of that section. They lived two or three miles from Camden.
- Roncevert News. |
