James Brumfield Killed In Brawl
Raleigh Register. Beckley. W. Va., Tuesday Afternoon. August 6, 1957
LOGAN WVA 23-year-old Harts Creek farmer playing the role of peacemaker in what State Police described as a drunken brawl was killed by a shotgun blast in the back at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Early today Elva Conley, about 25, of the same area gave himself up at State Police headquarters in nearby Stollings and was lodged in the Logan County Jail without charge, Cpt. M. S, Hofsetter re- Ported. The victim was James Brumfield. Hofsletler said he and Sgt. Russell Hogg, after about six hours of investigating last night, pieced together this account of tht slay, ing: About seven or eight men became Involved in the brawl near Shively on Smokehouse Fork of Harts Creek. Conley was fighting with Grover Dingess. Brumfield tried to break it up. Conley left the scene, saying he was going home to get his gun and was "coming back to kill a few of them." the corporal quoted witnesses. Dingess also said he was going for his gun. Conley returned first. The other men had scatlered, Brumfield hiding in a clump of bushes over a highway embankment. Conley fired one shot into the general direction of the bushes and ordered Brumfield up onto the road, He then fired a shot into Brumfield's back at close range, Hofstetter said witnesses related. Relatives told the officers Conley took to the hills after the shooting but that when he cams home they would bring him in, Hofstet- ler said. About 2 a. m., the men appeared at headquarters and 45 'minutes later was booked at the jail.
Logan Man Killed By Bullet in Back
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LOGAN. Aug. 6 - (Special) — State and county police were searching the heavily-wooded area of Harts Creek near here tonight for the killer of James Brumfield. about 22, of Harts Creek. . Brumfield was fatally shot in the back tonight at Smokehouse Fork, about 11 miles below Chapmanville. Police said that a man they have identified was seen driving away from the spot where Brumfield was killed. The police said they began searching the woods and have set up "stake-outs." The body is at Harris mortuary at Logan.
Three Are Held In Logan Killing
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Logan - Three men have been held to the Logan County September grand jury in the shotgun slaying of James Brumfield, 28, near his home at Shively on Smokehouse Fork of Harts Creek last Monday. Elva Conley, 26 also a Harts Creek farmer, waived on a murder charge earlier in the week and two other men, after a prolonged investigation by State Police Sgt. Russel Hogg were charged with conspiracy to do bodily harm- a violation of the states Red Man Act. Held in the county jail without bond on the later charge were John (Nod) Dingess and Richey Conley, also of Harts Creek. Brumfield had attempted to break up a fight between Elva Conley and another man in what police described as a drunken brawl involving six or seven others. He was shot in the back at close range.
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