The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-06-13
DUNCAN's CONFESSION.

DUNCAN'SC CONFESStON.
The following is the substance Of
confession made by John Duncan, who
was executed at St. Michael's, Madison
County, Missouri Territory, on the 5th
ult. for the murder OF j. Stephens, wife,
and two sons.
1t appears that he was born in Aiber-
male county, Virginia, January Ia, 1900,
ard was raised in Summer county, Ten
nessee, from whence he went to Madison
county in September last. On his arriy-
al he learned that one Stephens had been
suspected Of stealing money, but as there
was no proof could not be convicted
With view to extort a confession sever
al plans were devised by persons of the
neiehborhood, such as flogging. &c, all
of which did not meet the views Of Dun.
can, who said that better way would be
to build FIRE and roast his feet until he
confessed, or dig grave and threaten to
bury him alive. Upon further refec-
ton, however, Duncan thought of a more
eaeetual method to correct the evil, which
was to put Stephens Out of the way as
he expressed himself. This plan seem
ed to meet the views of the others con-
cerned, but they did not wish to get in
to difficulties, and n,imated to Duncan
that whoever would render such service
to the ncighborhood would be well re-
warded by handsome purse which
would be made up by the regaAatorst Z
This was sufficient for him, and he pro-
ceedsd to Stephens house. Here we
leave to detail one Of the most helish
deeds probably to be found on record.
"When l arrived at Stephens aud
went into the house. determined not to
Kill him. After having sat a while, Ste
pl,ens enquired if | had come to look at
his land? answered yes. He then took
hold of my gun and observed that he
would set ser in the room until we shall
have returned. Itold him no, perhaps
we might sec something to shoot. We
then started to view his land in Me direc-
tibn of Mr.. Fulton's. Soon after we
had started, in company with his little
son, the dogs trec'd a rabbit. - -S'ephens
cut hole 10 twist out the rabbit con-
cluded to kill him, stepped back for that
purpose about ten feet, and cooked my
gun, but my heart failed me, and con-
cludcd not to dol it. Stephens then stop
ped up the rabbit, and the little boy went
to the house for an axe. We then pro.
ceedcd to look at the land. After walk
ing some distance near together, but /
walked behind) ! presented my gun and
shot him. He fell instantaneously, and
cried % Lord Ireplied to him With an
oath, that had come three hundrcdmilcs
for the express purpose OF ending hisdays.
then struck Stephens with the bafrel OF
my gun, pu, her down, and took Ste
phens' gun and struck him several times
with her, after which cut his throat
then went to branch and washed of
the blood. and loaded my gun. After
having killed Stephens, l reflected that
his wife and children were in the way to
my getting his money, and believing that
he had large sum, as David l.. Car
ruthers had frequently told me that Ste
phens must have fifteen or sixteen hun
dred dollars. determined first to Kill
the elder boy, who was returning with
the axe | went to him, and viii, him
to the tree where the rabbit was. After
getting to the tree | desired the by to
hold his head at tl,c hole at which the
rabbit went in. He Gid SO; when |
struck him with the axe on the side oi
the head several times. which killed him.
then xeu. to Stephens house ard told