Mrs. Minnie Weatherholtz, wife of Mr. Elmer Weatherholtz, departed this life on Feb. 4, 1896; aged 20 years and 5 months.

This poor, unfortunate woman was made to realize death suddenly, unexpectantly, and under circumstances exceedingly sad. She had been living with the family of Mr. Peter Myers, near Forestville, Shenandoah County, Va. On the morning of Feb. 4, about 7 o'clock, she started from the house singing, being led by her little 5-year old son, in company with another lady, to the barn to milk. Some one being hid in the barn fired through a window in the barn at her. It is said about 40 buckshot entered her brain, while others entered her eye, nose, and cheeks. She was a member of the Lutheran church for some years. Her widowed mother, her husband, two children, and other relatives and friends survive her. May God bless and comfort them all. We trust she is forever happy and at rest in that building of God, that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

J.P.S

MOORE'S STORE, Feb. 5 - One of the most cold-blooded murders that was ever perpetrated in this country was committed near Forestville yesterday morning.

Elmer Weatherholtz and his wife had not lived together for some time. She, with their two children staying at different places. Weatherholtz had been sent to jail several times for mistreating his wife and children, and his wife's mother, Mrs. Biller. He was taken to jail last December for beating his wife while she was staying at his father's, but while waiting for his trial, he escaped from jail and has been seen in this neighborhood frequently since. It is reported that he threatened to kill his wife, his wife's mother and some other parties, but not much attention was paid to this. For several weeks past his wife and children and her mother have been staying at Peter Myer's near Forrestville, but about a week ago his wife's mother left Mr. Myers and Weatherholtz's wife and little boy still remained there.

Tuesday morning Weatherholtz's wife and a Miss Nave, who is also working for Mr. Myers, started to the barn, between six and seven o'clock, to milk; Weatherholtz's wife had her little boy with her and just as she was within a few feet of the barn some person concealed in the hay mow fired a load of shot through a window at her, at a distance of not more than twenty-five feet, the entire load taking effect in her head and face and killing her instantly. Mr. Myers, who was in the stable feeding, hearing the report of the gun and the screams of the little boy, rushed out, found her lifeless and weltering in blood. Mr. Myers says that as he ran out of the stable he heard some one jump on the barn floor, and Mrs. Myers, who was at the house, says she saw a man running across the hill but could not tell who it was. Jos. Myers and son Roy heard the report and saw a man running but could not tell who.

Justice Myers held an inquest over the remains, the verdict being that she came to her death by a gun shot wound at the hands of some person unknown. Between forty and fifty shot entered her head and face. In fact, the whole load with the exception of perhaps two or three shot took effect, the centre of the load striking about the forehead. It is thought that they were not buck shot but about number one or two shot. The little boy who was walking by her side escaped unhurt. Officers are scouring the country in every direction in search of Weatherholtz but thus far without success. We sincerely hope that the perpetrators of this foul deed may have justice fully meted out to him.