Troy Times

February 20, 1862

SPICER, SAMUEL - Murder - We are again called upon to record a bloody tragedy. A man by the name of Samuel Spicer was shot by Jones Humes (a colored man) on Friday last, near the residence of the late Judge Winans, in Staunton township. The parties, it is said had been drinking together in Humes' house. While at this, an altercation arose between Humes and his wife, and Spicer interfered to protect the woman. This led to a fight between the two men, and the colored man was worsted. Spicer and his son, a boy, then left the house, and when about forty feet distant, the boy told his father that Humes was going to shoot him. Spicer turned, and as he did so, received a bullet from Humes' rifle. He fell, but immediately rose and walked some distance, when he again sank down exhausted. Assistance was speedily procured, and everything possible done for him. The wound was nearly in front, and just below the diaphragm. He died the next morning at 8 o'clock. Humes made no attempt to escape, and was arrested in town the next day. His examination took place on Monday before Esquire Culbertson, and in default of $500 bail, he was committed to prison.

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