Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-08-11
BLACK MuRuERERs CONVICTED.

The negro slaves by whom young
Mrs. Caldwell was murdered, in Jes-
samine. few weeks ago, have been
convicted of that barbarous crime.
Old Stephen was tried first. We
saw him arraigned. lie WAS 4 tall ne
gro. rather tawny than black; six feet
two or three inches high; slender IN
form, and though apparently TO or 20
years Of age, quite erect. His coun-
tenance indicated great 6rmness and
resolution, but nothing Of Jeroeay; the
expression of his face Was rather that
Of benignity! Throughout his trial he
seemed perfectly composed; his ceun-
tenance never fell, or changed at all.
from the time he was arraignrd, until
he was remanded to prison, a convict
ed murderer. His mind vas, no doubt,
made up for the worst. lie had said.
abiding to his old age. that il they
hung him they could not cheat him out
Of much Of his life!
The evidence against him was con-
elusive. Several persons Of respecta-
bIlity proved that lie was near the house
at the time OF the murder; and when
called to, and told that his mistress
Uds dead, by one Of the ladies who
hrst discovered the murder, he ne
elected. for long time, TO come 20
the house, and when he came. his ex-
cuse Tor the refusal to come was. that
f found with the dead he might be |
suspected Of the murder!
The testimony Of 1Hry, his grand I
daughter, the black girl, who partici- /,
pated in. and confessed the crime.
showed IN what manner il was perpe.
trated.
She was told by her mistress TO pa
on some water 10 wash the wooI-Old
stephen had been shcaring some sheep
at spring near the house. She was
too slow, and was told to make haste, !
and giving an insolent reply, her mis- |!
tress struck her with stick. Stephen
had come in, and was standing BY -
: VIII you take that said he, from !
that thing - What's that you saw
said his mistress, Who gave him also q 4
blow with the stick. Then he knock /
ed her down with his fist, by a blow I
upon the stomach. aud proceeded to !
accomplish his fell purpose. She cried I
out, and begged him not TO kill her.
The gIrl too told him mot to kill her. /
they would be found out Tom hush |
said he, Thrill kiH her. and hey'Hfhink I
she died herseJc' He then told the
gifl to hold her hands, and he proceed. /
ed To strangle his mistress, as she Law I
upon her back on the iloar, with a niece
VI rope. drawn over her throat, the
ends held down upon each side with
his two hands.
This cruel deed done, they placed
the body in the bed, between the sheets.
adjusted her clothing neatly. bound
horse rsdisl leaves 10 che forehead With
a handkerchief, pinned up her shawl
close around her throat, and covered
The body over. face and all, will, De
ruIiar care. The mouth vas we'll clos. \
ri, the eyes partially but her 6ne
Ong hair was 90 torn and tangled. i
hat u could never be adjusted, and
he mark Of tie rope. mo other sign Of
''oiencc') was apparent upon tie throat.
.hough concealed by the shawl. Thus
sac the corpse found by the ladies' who
irst reached the house, after the death
sas discovered by . black girl who
.sme tToa' . neighbours, upon an errand
o Mrs. Caldwell. It ~ss then quite
.old' death bad done he olIice several
'oufs before.
The molive--the premeditaIion oil
Ne murderi Old Stephan tsld a whiie
nan who was witnsss To the fact,
bat lee had been separated from biz /,