The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-09-19
or MURDER

Many of the inhabitants of this county will
recollect, that murders were supposed to have
been committed in the place then called New
Town, in Halfmoon, about Il years since. The
body of one man was found, suspended, or the
appearance of having been suspended by hand.
kerchief or rope, to tree or limb and dog
brought IN the skull of another, though we be-
lieve the body was never found Suspicion about
that time, fixed on a Mr.. Finn, a tavern-k keeper
near at hand, as an accomplice in the murder
we believe he was apprehended, had his trial,
or at least am examination, and acquitted.
a. A man by the name of A6yah S.e,ns, taken in
the county OF Washington, was on Wednesday
committed to the Jail OF this county, charged with
the murders. The circumstances which have
2ttached suspicion on Mr.. Stems are singular
< have thrown some light on the subject, which
WAS never be ore known. We will relate, as near
as We have been informed, his own story I; and
although we shall not pretend to eXactness in
every instance, yet shall aim at the substance.
! About ID years ago, he WAS travelling from AL.
bany to Arguyle, and in piece of woods, heard
the cries of a man in distress. Stopping, he saw
a man at the distance of about 20 rods, tied to
tree and another knock him i'm the head with the
butt-end OF pistol who then took q knife from
his pocket, and cut his throat from ear to ear -
he saw the blood stream from the wound The
murderer Their took u portmanteau lying at a
small distance, ripped ii open, and took therefrom
two linen bags, containing about 800 silver dol
lars, and large quantity Of bank bills. When
thus WAS performed, the robber approached
Stems, and demanded his money, 900 dollars IT,
ed in handkerchief, which he refused to deli
Yer up, although the robber observed, he had
just killed ole man for his money, and threatened
HIM with instant death After some parley, they
both, side and side, walked back, and about Is
rods beyond the place where the man had Just
been killed. OF sudden, lad rushed out of a
Ticket of bushes, with club in his hand, and
with cries, 5eseeched Stems to assist him in Sc
curing the robber who had murdered his father
Tie robber standing between the two, drew a
pistol, presented ii at Stems, (who begged for
his life saying re should kill him to prevent his
appearing witness; pausing for moment,
he turned round and shot the young man through
the bIeast, who fell dead at hts feet. AT this
time, ,man on a black horse, who had not before
been discovered, rode out of the bushes and cal
led out to the robber to secure that man. (mean-
ing Sterns,) who the n ran towards Films The
man on horseback took another path, and attemp-
ted to cut OH his retreat Four pistols were IL
red at him, and in the scufne was severely woun
ded. He reached Mr.. Fnn's however, and had
his wounds dressed.
This, we are informed, is the amount of the
story relative to the murders, as related by Mr.
Stems. But IT is astonishing, that he should have
been AN eyewitness OF transactions so horrid &
not have imme diately rallied the whole neiehbor
hood in pursuit fthe murderers I'VE believe,
however, but little or alarm was made nj the
time the subject, some time after, created con-
siderable conversation, till finally it died away &
was almost forgotten
D., MIR. Stems asserts, that he is chief Judge of
the Supreme Court of Vermont and has for
warded letters TO mat state of which the follow
ing copies. We know nothing of the truth
OF Their contents they may be true, or he may
haze a stratsgem in view TO elude the hand OF
ju- tee. They however contain all the further
information we possess on the subject