JOSHUA D. FORTNEY NEWS CLIPPINGS, WV
THE FORTNEY TRIAL.
The Clarksburg [WV] Telegram 5/19/1893
The important case of this term of our circuit court was the prosecution of Mr. Joshua D. Fortney for the shooting of Austen A. Swiger on July 2, 1892.The details of the affair appeared in the columns at the time of the shooting.It grew out of a general row in which several parties participated.Fortney was stabbed several times and retaliated by shooting Swiger in the bowels, producing a wound that came near being fatal-in fact, Swiger's recovery is regarded as a miracle.Ex-prosecuting attorney Clifford, Hon. Ben. Wilson and Melville Sperry, represented the State and Hon. B. B. Dovener, Hon. J. J. Davis and Mr. E. G. Smith, appeared to defend Mr. Fortney.Thus it will be seen that the ablest legal talent of the State was employed on both sides.
Large crowds attended the trail, which lasted almost seven days.
The jury brought in a verdict of "guilty of assault" on Thursday morning.This practically is an acquittal but the defense not being satisfied with this seemingly lenient verdict have moved for a new trial based on the ground that one of the attorneys for the state had "shaken hands" with two of the jurymen.
JOSHUA D. FORTNEY DEAD.
8/23/1901The Clarksburg [WV] Telegram
Jacob D. Fortney, of Lumberport, received a telegram at noon Tuesday from his mother, announcing the death of his father, Josphua D. Fortney, in Purdy, Arkansas, and he left for that place Tuesday night.Mr. Fortney went to Arkansas the first of last April with his wife and two youngest children on a vacation and a prospective tour, expecting to locate there if the country pleased them.The cause of his death has not been learned but he probably died from heart trouble, an affliction he has had for years.He was born and reared near Lumberport and resided there until he went went last spring.He was one of Harrison county's very best citizens, a very substantial farmer and a loyal republican.He was 59 years of age.A large family survives him.
CAUSE OF JOSHUA FORTNEY'S DEATH
9/6/1901 The Clarksburg [WV] Telegram
Joshua D. Fortney, of Gypsy, West Virginia, died at Purdy on August 19, of fecal impaction which produced appendicitus [sic] and fatty degeneration of the heart.Doctors Youngblood and Massie, of Huntsville, and Hill, of Marble, held a post mortem examination which confirmed the above diagnosis.Mr. Fortney was a respected citizen in the community in which he lived, was a soldier of four years' service in the late war, and came to Purdy last March with the intention of residing there one year on trial, and if he was sufficiently satisfied at the end of that time he would locate permanently.We regret the loss of a valuable citizen, and extend sympathy to his family, who we understand will return at once to West Virginia.--Huntsville, Ark., Republican.