Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-03-30

The most diabolical transaction. per-
haps ever recorded in the history Of civil
lized nations. took place al the house of A.
50 Lupton. OF Hampshire county, at nid-
day on Sunday the 10Th inst. The fa,ni.
~, excepting three children, viz two girls.
the one rising eight the other six years of
age the third hne boy about ihre- AID a
half years old had gone to meeling. The
doors oe the dwelling house were all LOCK-
ed and boited, and the children placed in
the kitchen, which was connected TO the
houseb apassage. Some time after those
who went to meeting had taken their de-
parture from the house, monster in the
shape ola man, no. more than eighteen or
ninetesnyears OF age, came into the kitch-
en-, and enquired if all the family we're
absent except themselves being answer
ed in the ALTERNATIVES alter short pause,
he sgaia repeated his question, and wac
answered asbeforc. He then walked out,
went round the house s. picked up an axe,
with which he burst open the door of The
house and entered il he then burst open
the door Of one Of The rooms, and RI.
maged desk of drawers from thence he
nroceededto HE donr oC the passage lead
! ingto tire kitchen, which he opsred. wher.
he found he children whoit is supposed,
; being attracted by the noise in The house,
; had gathered to that spot.
He then strusk the boy on he head
J with the pole OF tee axe, and AFTER he fell
gave him another blow; tbs is the re-
pnrt cfthe eldss, child, and Seems conf n-
ed by this circumstance, hat tie skull
was fractured in two places, g. sonle POI ton
Of the brain scattered around. Il is sup
posed he then gave the eldest girl "a blow
/ Gas her recollection at this period is los,l
which, by some fortunate circumstance,
seems not 10 have effected as much az
was intended, although il laid her sense
less for some time. The other girl was
then knocked down. and her skull mise.
rably fractured. The fi'st obiecl whica
arrested The sight OF the shappy parents
on their return, was their eldest girl Who
had so far recovered as TO crawl OUT Of
the house, and nearly fainting, in endea-
voring probably TO escape, had fallen
repeatedly, aud made most h;deons
! spectacle, being beameared with blood
and dirt. They next entered their late
peaceful mansion, and horrid TO relate,
there discovered their two other darljr~s
PROSTATE on the floor, near each other,
almost covered with cloued blood and an
parently lileless; this was too much for
human nature, they retired in sgonies
indescribable even the reighbors stood
appalled, with horror, and il was some
time before any could prevail on them
selves TO place their bodies on the bed.
Signs Of life being discovered, every aid
J which art could give was sought for, and
obtained with the utmost CELEBRITY. The
lives Of the two youngest arc despaired
Of the eldest, it is Hoped, rnty recover,
I being reserved perhaps by Providence Tor
! sone special purpose.
! The name of he perrctrator uf this a.
bominable alrocity, Is Martin, he was
known by the eldest child, she having for
some time past been az the same schooi
with him. For the cause humanity tits
hoped testimony sufficient to brine, The
perpeira'of Of this unheard OF epotmi,v
70 cond'gn punishment may he obtained,
arJ~ When the foregoing com,eun,os-
ton was forwarded TO the cdi'or hereof
NisrrD vas IN cu'ody. bad been ear. 49,
ca before two magisirates ard ordered .
prison. but made h'sescape from the 9sr.
sons IN whose custody he was. on 81.
night OF the lsth instant. therefore ths
following reward is offered for bis sppre.
: hensicn.
TBRFE IIUNDRrD pritTApe