Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-26
DOMESTIC.
A MONSTER LET LOOSE ON SOCIETY

A MONSTER LET LOOSE ON SOCIETY.
JOHN DEAHMAN, the murderer
of Erederic KnoHe, John Jenzer, &c.
made his escape from the Jail of New
Albany, Indiana, on the night of the 2lst
OF 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, unit! 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 Maysyille, KY. for some times
from thence he came down the Ohio ri,
yer to Shippingport, sc. His first ap--
pearance in Ncw-A lbany, was as q,
friend of Knolte's, who was baker, and
came over in the same ship with him.
He has confessed that he murdered
Knolte while he was sleeping in his shop,
by striking him on the head with an ak.
then cutting his throat from ear to ear,.
and at midnight, put him in sack,
J,.ap ore1 h tn, Il a..
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 precauiion 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-Albany to-
gether in boat, delayed the time by GO,
ing on shore occasionally hunting, I'M
til he found convenient place for his
purpose, where they landed, about SIZE
miles below New-Albany, at night, buils
ia fire in the woods; Jenzer being chilly
got near the fire, Deahman took Jenzcr's
gun, stepped off few PAGES and shot
him through the head, then beat in his
scull with an axe-he then burned
Knolte's cloathes, made a rope fast TO
Jenzer's leg, dragged him to the water,
made the rope fast to the skitf, towed
him down the river about six miles and
cast him off. He got 46 watches from
Jcnzer; about Is dollars in money and
/ watch from Knoite. The bodies OF
Knolte and Jenzer were discovered q.
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
As lb. which the body buoyed up; there
is every reason to believe that Deahman
murdered the third.
John Deahman, is 29years ofage this
present month, he is about feet or r
inches in height, stout built across the
breast; has an uncommon well formed
face, rather high forehead, good sized
nose somewhat roman, sharp but plear
SAINT black yes, black hair, complexion
rather dar.., his skin having a Jewish
cast; he appears pleasant except when
rufled, then he shows horror; his move.
ments are quick; he speaks the Ger
man, French, and English language, tho
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
ITO the route he has taken, but we may
|expect to hear of murder being COM
mitted whenever he is in want ofa smaU
sum of money to use his own express
sion, he has been brought up in blood
1t may be well to bare in mind, that he
may disguise himself in womans attires
as he limited such thing, should he li5e-,
rate himself from prison.
A reward is offered by the Governor
Iof the state of Indiana, to any person wha
will apprehend and keep said Jolirs,
Deahman where he may be brought to
justice.
Should he be taken, it should be REL
nembered, that irons alone, are insuHie
cient to keep him.
Esv-.h ALBANY, Ia. Seht.7.
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out the western country, may render q
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