Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-10-03
"A MONSTER LET LOOSE ON SOCIETY.
JOHN DEAHMAN, the murderer

JOHN DEAHMAN, the murderer
Of Frederic Kn0kte, John Jenzer, &c.
made his escape from the Jail of New
Albany, Indiana, on the night of the list
oil August. This man is one of the most
daring, experienced murderers that has
been been heard of in America. That
citizens may be on their guard in every
quarter of the United States, brief his
tory and description of the man is hereby
given BY his own account, he joined
a band of robbers on the Rhine, in Ger
many, at ten years of age; he continued
with that band, and occasionally joined
others, until twenty years of age, when
he entered the cavalry of Bonaparte !;
during the time he was with the robbers
they committed depredations in many
parts of that country, he was frequently
detected and confined to the strongest
prisons, but always found means to es-
cape. He came to this country from
Amsterdam about two years since, was
at or near Maysvile, Ky. for some time,
from thence he came down the Ohio ri
yer to Shippingport, &c. His first ap-
pearance in New-A lbany, was as
friend Of Knolte's, who was baker, and
came over in the same ship with him
He has confessed that he murdered
Knoltc while he was sleeping in his shop,
BY striking him OH the head with an AK,
shen cutting his throat from ear to ear,
and at midnight, put him IN sack,
dragged him 10 the river and with skltf
took him out from the shore and let him
go; he then went to Shippingport, told
hisand Knoltes' acquaintance that Knolte
owed him considerable sum of money,
and had given up his establishment to
him and gone down the river--he then
took possession of the shop for several
days, (using the precaution to strew
ashes and -four TO conceal the blood on
the floor,) sold out the effects of Knolte---.
persuaded Jenzer to go down the river
with him under pretence Of selling him
land, but Gas he says) with an intent to
murder him. They left New-Al bany to-
gether IN boat, delayed the time by go
ing on shore occasionally hunting, un-
til he found convenient place for his
purpose, where they landed, about six
miles below Ncw-Albany, at night, built
fire in the woods; Jenzer being chilly
got near the fire, Deahman took Jenzer's
gun, stepped off few PAGES and shot
him through the head, then beat in his
scull with an axe-he then burned
knote's cloathes, made a. rope fast to
Jenzer's leg, dragged him to the water,
made the rope fast to the skiH, towed
him down the river about six miles and
cast him off. He got 46 watches from
Jenzer; about Is dollars in money and
] watch from Knolte. The bodies Of
Knolte and JenZer were discovered a
few days after the murder of each OF
them; also, third person was found
murdered, floating few miles below
where Jenzer was discovered, who had
a stone fastened to his leg that weighed
43 lb. which the body buoyed up; there
is every reason to believe that Deahman
murdered the third.
John Deahman, is % years ofage this
present month, he is about S feet 6 or
inches in height, stout built across the
breast; has an uncommon well formed
face, rather high forehead, good sized
nose somewhat roman, sharp but plea
SAINT black eyes, black hair, complexion
rather dark, his skin having Jewish
cast; he appears pleasant except when
RULED, then he shows horror; his move
ments are quick; he speaks the Ger
man, French, and English language, the
English he speaks somewhat broken,
with an accent peculiar to foreigners
from the continent of Europe, his voice
is soft. No calculation can be made as
to the route he has taken, but we may
expect to hear of murder being COM
mitted whenever he is in want of a small
sum of money; to use his own express
ION, she has been brought up in BLOOD
It may be we'll 10 bare in mind, that he
may disguise himself in womans attire,
as he limited such thing, should he libe-
rate himself from prison.
A reward is offered by the Governor
of the state of Indiana, to any person who
will apprehend and keep said John
Deahman where he may be brought to
jcstice. :. s,o,,d he 70.
memf,cred, that irons alone, are insuffi-
Client to keep him.
.Neqv- ALBANY, la. Sept. z.
srpPublishers ofnewspapers through
out the western country, may render
service to community, by inserting and
continuing this notice 2 or weeks.