Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-06-20

way over the river, when they wer,
hailed by certain Vanblaricum, tn,
Keeper of the ferry, who appeared oil
the east bank Of. the stream, (the sam,
spot from which they had but mo
ment before started,) and requested
them to return and take him along
as he wished to cross also. They dit
so-and after taking him in, proceed.
cd to recross the stream:--When a.
bout half way over, Vanblaricum be.
gan to rock the skiff violently, evin.
eng a determination to upset it. The
deceased earnestly requested him to
deslst--stating his inability to swim
but received only curses and taunts in
reply-Vanblaricum telling him that
he would have his revenge for some
injury which he (Vanblaricum) con.
ceived himself to have received from
the deceased. His threats were not
made in vain-for he soon succeeded
in his design of upsetting the skiff.
Vanbiaricum and the individual who
had charge of the skiff being good
swimmers, reached the shore in safe
ty-while the deceased succeeded in
regaining the skiff, which had turned
keel upwards. AT this time Vanblari-
cum was standing on the bank, shout.
ing after the unfortunate young man
telling him to say his prayers quick
ly--and exulting like a demon over
him. Some words passed between them
which appeared to confirm the malici-
Gus designs of the unfeeling villain
who, determined to make surer work
with his victim, rushed into the river
and swan rapidly towards the skiff.
The deceased, alarmed at his approach.
sprang off before he reached it. and
attempted to escape his pursuer by en-
deavoring to swim towards shore-but
before he could effect his object. Van
blaricum was at his side, and immedi.
ately grappled his victim, who appear
ed at the time to have lost all presence
of mind and power of motion. After
brief struggle, Vanblaricum succeed.
ed IN forcing him under water, which
was nine feet deep at the spot-and
holding him there until the deed of
murder was accomplished. The whole
scene was witnessed by fifteen or TWEEN.
ty spectators on shore--none OF whom
supposed the deceased was seriously in
danger, until they saw Vanblaricum
IN the act of drowning him. At this
moment several persons plunged into
the river and swan towards tho par.
ties, with the view of rescuinp the
unfortunate young man-but their in
reference came too late-the inhuman
work of death had been done-and the
spirit of M'Pherson had taken its flight
beyond the confines of this world. The
body was raised and taken back to
town-medical aid promptly procured,
and unremittingly applied for three
hours-but in vain. 1t was next day
conveyed to the grave, amidst the re.
greet and tears Of an immense concourse
OF citizens. Previous to its interment
a Coroner's Inquest was held over the
corpse-and verdict Of sci1m murder
returned against Vanblaricum, the-per.
petrator Of the deed, who was immedi-
ately arrested and committed to prison
to await his trial for the crime.
We were personally acquainted with
the deceased, and sincerely sympathise
with his numerous friends and relatives
in this sudden and severe stroke of af.
Fiction. Thus has young man Just
rising into manhood, been cut off in
his career by deed of tillainy seldom
equalled in the annals Of crime"
The Indianapolis paper, after giving
the report of the jury of inquest, and q
general statement of the distressing af.
fair, adds:
The court of inquiry, to whom the
case was referred, after examining a
part OF the witnesses, by the consent Of
the counsel of Vanblaricum, committed
him to prison with the avowed intention
of having another investigation, under
the writ of habeas corpus.
We forbear further comment and
publication circumstances and evidence
as detailed, for the reason that great
excitement prevails at present, and that
we believe any publication, further than
a general remark, would be an improp.
er interference with public opinion, and
might prejudice, fair judicial invest.
cation. The deceased was formerly a
resident of Adams county, Pennsylva
MIA, where he has left number Of
highly respectable friends and relatives
who, viii deeply mourn his untimely
and tragical fate. He had resided in
indianapolis nearly three years, where
he also had large circle of friends