I forgot to write down the date but believe this comes from the Sussex Independent newspaper of January 1880: A Murder in Newton On Monday evening, 16th inst., Melancthon WASHER and David, his cousin, both of Sparta, visited Newton. During the evening David was around town in the company of a woman of ill repute named Amanda SNOVER. The pair were seen in conversation near the depot, by three young roughs named Michael KANE, Clarence CAMPBELL and John CLARK, whose aged range from 19 to 21 years, and who, seeing Washer was a stranger, commenced to annoy him and endevouring to draw him into a quarrel. Washer paid little attention however and with the woman started to go up town. He had not gone very far when he turned and cuffed Kane's ears, who with the other two were following him and using very abusive language. On their way up town Washer and the Snover woman were met by his cousin Melancthon and a young man named William COURSEN, and then all four proceeded up town together, closely followed by Kane, Campbell and Clark, who by this time had become very infuriated on account of the manner in which Kane had been handled. On arrival in front of the Kimble building, Melancthon, who was walking with Coursen just in front of Washer and Snover, was suddenly felled by a stone of slung shot, crushing in his skull. The assailants fled, and Washer's companions carried him to the office of Dr. MILLER, where his wound was dressed. He was taken to his home near Sparta. Although everything possible was done to save his life, he grew worse and died at 2 o'clock on Friday. His funeral took place on Sunday and was attended by a large number of persons. Melancthon Washer was well known and highly respected in Sparta and vicinity and his death is universally regretted. He was not in any way concerned with the fracas between his cousin and the young trio who caused his death. On Tuesday the case was placed in the hands of Officer SMITH. The first arrested was Clark, who was in the employ of John B. LOSEY. Mr. Losey gave bail for Clark's appearance at Court. Kane and Campbell had fled from the town, but on Wednesday the former was captured near Franklin. Campbell is supposed to have hid in Newton until Thursday night, when it is thought that he walked to Drakestown and boarded a coal train, working his way to Newark, and on Friday morning about 2 o'clcok he was arrested in the Hoboken ferry house by an officer who had a description of him. Constable Smith, of Newton, was notified and taking the 12:45 train he returned with the prisoner at 8:40 on Saturday night and placed him in the jail. On account of the death of the father of the Prosecutor of the Pleas, the Coroner's inquest was postponed until Saturday of this week. Cathy DiPietro vdpcom@warwick.net listowner: NJSussex-L