Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-03
ATROCIOUS MURDER.

fled the magistrates that an outrageous murder
had been perpetrated. The body was expos
ed to the view Of the public, in order, if posi-
BILE, to have it identified. In the course Of the
forenoon, it was ascertained to be man by
the name of James Murray. The following
facts, relating to the discovery, &c. are gath
cred from the New-York papers.
Mr.. Murray arrived here in the Full
ton packet from Boston on Tuesday last,
in the neighborhood. of which place, he
had been working in foundery nearly
five years. He had saved by his hard
earnings, over four hundred and fifty dol
lars, which he had with him. On the
evening OF the same day he removed his
trunk from the vessel to the house Of
Mr.. John Johnson, 65, Front Street, and
had not been seen afterwards, until found
dead in Cuyler's Alley on Saturday morn
ing, although some of his acquaintance
were in pursuit of him on Friday. The
above circumstance occasioned minute
search to be made, in the boarding house
of the above Johnson, where was found
concealed, a bloody sheet, part of a truss,
and an axe. The suspicion induced our
police officers to take Johnson, his wife,
and children, to the police Office, where
the whole we're separately examined.
johnson was committed to Bfidewel
for further examination, and his wife and
daughter were discharged.
On further search of Johnson's house,
the chest of the deceased was found IN
der bed in the room in which 1t is sup
posed he slept. The coat and pantaloons
of the deceased were also found in the
yard, behind pile of wood, having pre-
viously, by appearances, been thrown
into the sink of the necessary. The
head board of the bed was found to be
bloody, and track of blood was discov-
cred from the bed to the cellar. John
sons dirty clothes and female dress
were also found with stains of blood on
them. The cartman was also found, who
deposed that he carried the chest to the
house of Johnson, on Thursday last, and
was paid for the carriage by Johnson.
The coat and pantaloons and chest, were
known to have belonged to the deceas-
ed, by the mate and steward of. the sloop
Fulton. In consequence of these discov-
cries, the wife and daughter of Johnson
were arrested, and after examination,
committed for trial.
The second day after Johnson was
committed, he confessed himself to have
been the murderer Of Mr.. James Muir
ray, and that no one assisted or was pri-
Wy to the transaction, until after the deed
was completed.
1t appears from Johnson's statement,
that Murray supped with the family ;
that shortly after he proposed to retire,
stating that he wished his trunk to be
with him in his bedroom. johnson told
him, that his wife being absent,h should
sleep with him, and took him with the
trunk into the bedroom. Johnson re-
manned with the two other boarders
playing at cards for some hours: they
retired, and Johnson said he was then
Impressed with a desire to possess the
money in the trunk of Murray.-He
went into the bedroom, found him
asleep, took from his vest pocket the
key, opened the trunk, and took out
two bags of dollars, which he threw in.
to a corner He now became uneasy.
and after a lapsea efsome time, he says
"the deviF' suggested to him to ELL
Murray to prevent a detection of the
robbery. He went into the cellar, pro-
cured a Ratchet, and went to Murray,
who was asleep on his right side, struck
him twice on the left temple, which
completed the horrid deed. Johnson
then took him through a trap door into
the cellar, and on Friday night, he re-
moved the body to the place where it
was found by the Waterman.
After he had committed the murder.
he says he became most dreadfully agi-
tated, and could not sleep in his own
room he went into that where his
daughters were, and mentioned il to
them, and the money was given to his
daughter Mary, who gave it 10 her
brother. The boy was sent for, and
confessed where he hid the money.
which has since been recovered.
The keeper of the Bridewell states,
that johnson at first appeared very in
different, protesting his innocence, and
declaring that his mind was quite at ease.
Late in the evening, he had laid himself
down-but said he could not sleep in
consequence of not lying easy. The
next morning he also complained that
ne had not been able to sleep.-The
morning after he sent early for the keep
er, and appeared in great agitation.
The stlngs of a wounded Conscience
who can bear q, He statad thn4 L. Ii