Walter Rutherford, 45, of Grassy Creek was critically injured Monday night and died early Tuesday morning, as a result of a blow on the head when struck with a pole by Tom Ellis, also of Grassy Creek, who is now being held in jail as is John Baker, of Crumpler, who was in the party when the tragedy occurred.
According to reports, the three who were supposedly good friends, were having an argument near the home of Bruce Cearley, of Crumpler and came to blows. Both Baker and Rutherford were knocked unconscious by Ellis, who returned to his home.
Members of the Cearley family discovered the two unconscious men. They were picked up and brought to the Ashe hospital by Bill Cox. Baker was unconscious from a blow on the head, where he also received a cut. His condition was found not to be serious, however, and he was dismissed.
Rutherford was found to have a crushed skull and never recovered consciousness. He died shortly after midnight.
Following the report of the altercation, the newly elected sheriff, John Goodman, accompanied by Carl Graybeal, a former sheriff, went to the home of Ellis, who had already retired.
When brought to jail, Ellis said that he struck Baker and Rutherford in self defense.
Sheriff Goodman said yesterday that no date had been set for the hearing as yet.
Plans for the funeral of Rutherford had not been made in time for publication. It is expected he will either be buried this afternoon or Friday. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Published in The Skyland Post; December 1942.
According to reports, the three who were supposedly good friends, were having an argument near the home of Bruce Cearley, of Crumpler and came to blows. Both Baker and Rutherford were knocked unconscious by Ellis, who returned to his home.
Members of the Cearley family discovered the two unconscious men. They were picked up and brought to the Ashe hospital by Bill Cox. Baker was unconscious from a blow on the head, where he also received a cut. His condition was found not to be serious, however, and he was dismissed.
Rutherford was found to have a crushed skull and never recovered consciousness. He died shortly after midnight.
Following the report of the altercation, the newly elected sheriff, John Goodman, accompanied by Carl Graybeal, a former sheriff, went to the home of Ellis, who had already retired.
When brought to jail, Ellis said that he struck Baker and Rutherford in self defense.
Sheriff Goodman said yesterday that no date had been set for the hearing as yet.
Plans for the funeral of Rutherford had not been made in time for publication. It is expected he will either be buried this afternoon or Friday. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Published in The Skyland Post; December 1942.
Walter Rutherford, 45, of Grassy Creek was critically injured Monday night and died early Tuesday morning, as a result of a blow on the head when struck with a pole by Tom Ellis, also of Grassy Creek, who is now being held in jail as is John Baker, of Crumpler, who was in the party when the tragedy occurred.
According to reports, the three who were supposedly good friends, were having an argument near the home of Bruce Cearley, of Crumpler and came to blows. Both Baker and Rutherford were knocked unconscious by Ellis, who returned to his home.
Members of the Cearley family discovered the two unconscious men. They were picked up and brought to the Ashe hospital by Bill Cox. Baker was unconscious from a blow on the head, where he also received a cut. His condition was found not to be serious, however, and he was dismissed.
Rutherford was found to have a crushed skull and never recovered consciousness. He died shortly after midnight.
Following the report of the altercation, the newly elected sheriff, John Goodman, accompanied by Carl Graybeal, a former sheriff, went to the home of Ellis, who had already retired.
When brought to jail, Ellis said that he struck Baker and Rutherford in self defense.
Sheriff Goodman said yesterday that no date had been set for the hearing as yet.
Plans for the funeral of Rutherford had not been made in time for publication. It is expected he will either be buried this afternoon or Friday. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Published in The Skyland Post; December 1942.
According to reports, the three who were supposedly good friends, were having an argument near the home of Bruce Cearley, of Crumpler and came to blows. Both Baker and Rutherford were knocked unconscious by Ellis, who returned to his home.
Members of the Cearley family discovered the two unconscious men. They were picked up and brought to the Ashe hospital by Bill Cox. Baker was unconscious from a blow on the head, where he also received a cut. His condition was found not to be serious, however, and he was dismissed.
Rutherford was found to have a crushed skull and never recovered consciousness. He died shortly after midnight.
Following the report of the altercation, the newly elected sheriff, John Goodman, accompanied by Carl Graybeal, a former sheriff, went to the home of Ellis, who had already retired.
When brought to jail, Ellis said that he struck Baker and Rutherford in self defense.
Sheriff Goodman said yesterday that no date had been set for the hearing as yet.
Plans for the funeral of Rutherford had not been made in time for publication. It is expected he will either be buried this afternoon or Friday. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Published in The Skyland Post; December 1942.
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