Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-12-14

| Horrid Murder.-A short time since,
We adverted TO the frequency Of crime in
the Western Country, and copied from an
Illinois paper, az account of murder
committed at the u S. Saline. We have
now the disgusting task of recording a.
mother, as brutal and barbarous as any
which has stained the annals of the West.
Unless more ezertion is made for the
conviction of the perpetrators of such
deeds, the great roads in Illinois will soon
rival the most dangerous parts of Italy
and Germany; aud travellers, as in those
countries, viii be obliged to go in bands,
particularly armed against the murderous
assaults Of monsters IN human shape, whose
trade is robbery, and whose pastime is
spilling human blood.
Three men were travelling Oh foot from
L st. Louis to Vincennes. Their names
were Squires, Morris, and Wagner. At
the persuasion of Wagner, they passed
Lewis's Tavern, about 4 miles, and en-
camped in thicket on Friday night last.
In the dead of the night, Wagner rose and
with d large knife cut, the threat OF
Squires, who was an old man, and expired
without struggle. The wretch then at
tempted the same act on Morris, but for
tunately the first stab awakened him, and
in the struggle the murderer seized the old
mans cane, and beat Morris until he sup
posed him to be dead. He then robbed,
and left them. Morris revived, and was
discovered by some travellers on Saturday,
as he was stroIIing about the prairie in a
deranged situation, who humanely con-
veyed him to Lewis's, where he soon re-
covered SO as to tell the shocking story.
A party Immediately started in search Of
Squires, and found him 10 the thicket,
dead, with his neck dreadfully mangIed,
and bathed 10 blood. He was buried as
decentIy as circumstances would permit.
Travellers, who have seen Morris, affirm
that he cannot long survive.
Such is the plain narrative Of this
bloody business. Morris states that he
had $40 in notes on the Bank Of Chilli
cothe, and $40 in silver, which are all
missing. He knows nothing Of the proper.
/ y Of the old man. He describes Wag.
ner as being man of about 100 pounds
weight, dark hair and beard, prominent
mouth, and a carpenter by trade hi
clothing such as is usually worn by boat
men; with linen knapsack. 1t is be
lieved he passed through Vincennes OIL
Saturday evening last. We are sorry W,
cannot give more particular description
of this fiend-like villain.
Emigration emigration to thu
west continues to be constant and increas
ing. 1t is subject of regret, however
that correct advice and Information is no
possessed by emigrants before they star
GU their journey. Mercantile men 10 the
present state of the country receive bu
little encouragement. The number Of then
is already sufficiently large. and the sup
ply Of goods received by the presen
dealers is sufficient for the wants Of th,
country. 1t is not every branch Of mer
camille business that succeeds well. w,
are young people, and We trust we viii
never be overstocked with goods. TIL,
necessary result Of such state of thing
would be similar to that in Ohio and Ken
lucky. Experienced farmers, and use
ful mechanics and artists are wanted ii
The country, and those receive liberal en-
Encouragement, and cannot do wrong il
emigrasing. Carpenters, shoemakers. black
smiths, tanners and variety Of othe
branches might be named as offering 81
pcrior advantages. Professional gentle
men will find the west as we'll supple,
as the east and south. Superior talent
and Information would be encouraged, bu
, we have sufficient of mediocrity already