Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-05-08

Tiers and | followed him to Carruthers'
drazv-6ars, named the subject of taking
Stephens out; Nifong replied, that he
had got into one difficulty and did not
wish to get into another, and that if he
did undertake it, it must be done so quick
as not to be discovered; and then Nj
fong lett Carruthers and myself alone
we remained short time. AS we start
ed to return TO the house, l observed to
Carruthers, that if he (Carruthers) would
give me something handsome, would
put him (Stephens) out of the way to
which Carruthers answered, that it was
more than he dared to do to hire me or
any other man to kill him, but said, that
if or any other person would put him |
him out of the way, so that he could not
longer remain in the country, that all the
regulators would, forsuch person, make
up handsome sum. Said Carruthers
further stated, that if he (Carruthers) had !
no family, and were he in my situation,
he would himself put Stephens out of the |
way and slipof--that nc person would fol-
low him; and that if I would doit, or any
other person, there would be no danger
of me or them being pursued; that even
Stephens own brothers would not follow,
as stephens was SO much disliked gene
rally. Stephens was stranger to me,
nor should l, in all probability, ever have
known him, had it not been from the per-
suasions Of said Carruthers and Anthony,
and their frequently insisting on my go
| inn. tr, h;,,, C,p h., l.,
Stephens out. AT length did consent,
and determined to kill Stephens; and
went to Stephens under the pretence of
purchasing his land. When l arrived
at Stephens and went into the house,
determined not to kill him. After having
sat while, Stephens inquired if had
come to look at his land answered yes.
He then took hold of my gun, and OBJ
served thai he would set her in the room
| until we shall have returned. | told him
no, perhaps we might see something to
shoot. We then started to view his land,
in the direction of Mr.. Futon's. Soon
after we had started, in company with
his little son, the dogs freed rabbit
Stephens cut hole to twist out the rab-
bit. While Stephens was in the act Of
twisting out the rabbit concluded to kill
him, stepping back for that purpose
about ten feet, and cooked my gun, but
my heart tailed me, and concluded not
to do it. Stephens then stopped up the
rabbit, and the little boy went to the
house for an axe. We then proceeded
to look at the land. After walking some
distance near together (but walked be-
hind) / presented my gun and shot him.
He fell instantaneously, and cried " o
| Lord !" | replied to him, with an oath,
that had come three hundred miles for
the express purpose Of ending his days.
then struck Stephens with the barrel
OF my gun, put her down, and took Ste
phen.s gun, and struck him several
times with his own gun, after which
cut his throat. | then went to branch
and washed off the blood, and loaded my
gun. After having killed Stephens, l
reflected that Stephens wife and chill
dren were in the way OF my getting Ste
phenss money, and believing that he
had large sum, as David L. Carruthers
had frequently told me that Stephens
must have fifteen or sixteen hundred dol
lars, determined first TO kill the older
boy, who was returning with the aye.
went to him, and then with him to the
tree where the rabbit was. After getting
to the tree desired the boy to hold his
head at the hole at which the rabbit went
in. He did so : when Istruck him with
the axe on the side of the head several
times; which killed him. then went
to Stepbens's house, and told Mrs. Ste
phens that Mr.. Stephens wanted her to
SO to the corner of the land for the pur-
pose OF beingya witness. Mrs. Stephens
started Immediately with me, followed
by her youngest child, boy. We pro-
ceeded on through the woods, some
short distance from the plantation, when
| snapped my gun several times at her.
She at that time turned about and said, |
so, Duncan, don't do that !" l then
knocked her down with my gun, and cut
her throat. l then caught the young
child, and cut his throat. then, as be- |
fore, went to the branch and washed my |
hands, and started to the house, with the |
determination of killing the two little
girls. On the way l saw Warren Ste
phen's son, and paused for some time
whether would kill him or not, and !
concluded that would not; but would |
so to the house, take what money could |
ind, and make my escape.-On arriving
at the house, l Id the little girl that her
father wanted his money, and sent word
to her TO send it by me. The girl and !
myself searched chest, and l found and |