Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-02
From the Baltimore american, February 1.
unDDIn AJfpnED

1t is with no small degree of reluctance that
we are constrained to record the occurrence OF
a most horrid murder, committed in the streets
Of our city on Monday evening last The be-
ing whose thread Of existence has been thus
cruelty severed by the hand Of lawless violence,
was a citizen Of industrious, upright character,
named EDWARD RILEY, dray-man, whose re-
sidence was at the corner OF Richmond and
bol,on-streets. From LAMBERT THOMAS, Esq.
Coroner, and from the intelligent physician
who acted as foreman OF the jury Of inquest
which was held over the body, we learn the
following particulars. 1t appears that when
Riley left his house OIL the morning oil Monday,
he took with him sum Of money, the amount
not known,) the savings OF his hard earned la
Dor, with the intention, as he declared, OF de-
posting it IN bank, probably having allusion
to the Savings bank. Il,
1t is not known at what particular places he
was during the day, but there is every reason
to believe that the fact of his having the money
abou, his person became known to those who
committed the murder. In the evening, be-
tween six and seven, Riley called at the store OF
a gentleman in Howard street, and received on
his dray an empty hogshead, which he had
promised one Of his neighbors 10 bring him on
his return home at night. He then proceeded
homewards, up North Howard street, and when
in that part of it directly opposite the lot known
as "Moore's Orchard, he received blow on
the right side Of his head which fractured the
scuil bone and drove it in upon the brain, caus-
ing his death in few minutes. The blow was
believed to have been inflicted with the stand
ard of cart, as one was found lying near the
BODY. The deed could not have been done but
few minutes before it was discovered. Some
bows living in the vicinity, had been amusing
themselves by drawing small sleigh on the
snow, and were running along from the north
ern part of the street, when they met the horse
and draw proceeding without driver Close
behind the tlray they passed three men wrap
ned up i'm great coats, and as they ran along
Short distance further, they discovered Riley)y-
ing in the snow with his face downward. lie
was not dead when they first saw him, but
being somewhat alarmed at beholding man
living in that condition, the boys FASTENED to
the house of one of their parents, who repaired
to the spot without delay, and found Riley dead
| The BODY was removed into fouse and a ply
sician called in forthwith, but life was found TO
be completely ex:inguished
EPSince the above was in type, we have re-
ceiycd and insert the following notice, on the
authority of respectable justice Of the peace Of
this city, who was engaged in examining a
number of persons yesterday, relative to this
murder. From the circumstances which have
transpred in the course OF the, examination,
there is the strongest reason 10 believe that the
person here named was the perpetrator OF the
deed.
Sion The Murderer,-Edward Riley, poor
but honest drayman, was murdered on the night
of the 3o,h Jan. in North Howard. street, in the
city Of Baltimore, and robbed OF about SIS.
.iohn R;leu. who was seen with him short
time nreyious to the murder, and who knew Of
his having the money about HIM, Is supposed
to be the murderer, having suddenly left his
house and taken the six o'clock stage on the
following morning for the city OF Washington.
The said John Riley is about 80 years Of age,
about feet inches high, round face; dark hair
and dark eyes, Of lively disposition, and is
given 10 intoxication. had on blue coat,
Blue pantaloons, yellow wastcoat, new fur
hat. new scarlet tartan plaid cloak, and a ye!-
low cane with buck horn head. He is wea.
yer by profession.
TThe supposed perpetrator of the murder
above described, was arrested at Washington,
in the forenoon Of yesterday, by constables who
nur,ued him from Baltimore. He is said to
be fine looking young Irishman, who, from
his countenance and general appearance, would
never have been suspected; he had, however,
the pocket-book and alpart ofthe money Of the
deceased about him when taken - Editors.l