Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-01-22

.hon DiaboftcdI .durder!---Ne learn
from Capt Turner, of the Matthews
Packet that an inquest was held on
Sunday last over the body of Mrs. ANN
PRiTcHErr, respectable lady, between
IS and so wears of age, wife OF Captain
John PrItehett, of New Point Comfort;
found in dry well on her farm. short
distance .rom her dwelling, where she
bad been thrown by the mHrderers after
committing the shocking deed. From
the evidence sddueed 10 the jury, from
clrcumstantial information derived from
the neighbors, and from the subsequent
confession of the wretches, two negroes
by the name of Henry and Dick, who
have been apprshended and committed
to Matthews Jail, as represented to Us
by Capt. L and neighbor who accom-.
panied him, we have obtained the fol.
lowing particulars of this horrid affair.
On Wednesday, sist ult Capt. Pritchett
being from hone, the FIRST named of the
negroes, Heary. hreling, entered the
house and demanded from Mrs. Il. som
change which she had promised him
some time befare, and upon her stating
that Il was out of her power TO pay any
thing until her husband returned. which
would be in few days, he swore he
would be paid Immediately, and. on that
| night, with the assistance of Dick, who
belonged to Capt T. he brutuaily muir
dered the old lady, by s.raugkng and
suffocailng her, as was decided by the
inquest, feom the marks Of violence up
on her throat and about her head. They
then threw the body into a well near the
house, which was not used and almost
dry. They neat proceeded to rummags
the house and trunks in quest of money,
ofwhinh they say. they found only three
| dollars, one of which Dick has since
given. IN
The first knowledge of this shocking
occurrence was obtained by Mr.. John
! son, keeper Of the Light House on New
Point, who sending a message to Mrs,
p. on New Years day. aud learning
from her murderers, that she was very
| sick in bed and afterwards hearing moth
ing from her, although the most friendly
intimacy subsisted between their fami-
hes, suspected that all was not right. and
| calling neighbor, they proceeded 10
the house. They found il deserted,
and after searching all the apartments,
without success, for Mrs. p. extended
Their examination to various parts OF the
plantation, when on passing the we'll
spoken of above, they found the body
crammed into il end covered over. The
negroes on leaving the scene of their
butehery. went 20 several of the neigh
boring houses, and upon inquiry being
made why they had left Mrs. Pritcheit
alone On the plantation, they said, by
way Of diverting suspicion from them
when the horrid deed should become
public, that she had plenty of company
with her, for several sailors had come
ashore there, aud demanded liquor, pro.
visions, sc. swearing that they would
throw her into the well, il she did not
give them what they required.
These circumstances caused the ar
rest Of the Williams and their commitment,
since which, it is said they have con.
fessed the whole matter.
| Charles E. Dudley, Eat present May
or of Albany has been elected by the
Legislature Of New York TO supply the
vacancy in the Senate occasioned by
the resignation of Mr. Van Buren,.
Nathaniel Siisbee has been re elected
by the Legislature Of Massachusetts a
Senator from that State in Congress-
The vote was so to 4. in the Senate, and
1872 to 81, in the House.
The editor Of the New York Enquirer
expresses belief that Governor Van
Buren,, will be called TO Washington.
and that il would be inexpedisnt for him
TO decline. =--
The editors OF the ". York Journal Of
Commerce, have received the following
note, "'Ihom astown, Jan. 10. 1929 two
o'clock at night, factory on fire, burnt;
So, 500 insured"