The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-24

Through the valley lying between the ROCKY
mountains on one side, and the Allegheny range
on the other, following the course OF the Mlssis-
sippi, Ohio and Allegheny rivers. we have an
uninterrupted steamboat navigation of twenty
four hundred miles in length This great chan
mel Of commerce on one aide, and the lakes OF
The North on the other, intersected by canals,
roads. and rivers, with rich soil and healthiul
climate. while they account for our past history,
furnish certain and most cheering augnay OF our
future progress.
Most AfrOcious Murders A most shocking case
of the deliberate murder Of five persons, committed
would seem for the sole purpose of preventing the
discovery of contemplated robbery is related III the
Portsmouth Va, Times. of the 10th instant, fol-
lows:
From the Portsmouth Td) Times Dec. 10
We learn that series Of most atrocous murders
was perpetrated by miscreant in Southampton Coun
ty. on Monday night An aged Quaker of the name
OF Scott residing not far from Jerusalem, his sister,
also aged a little girl about nine years old named
Pretlow a negro woman and her child We're success
svey butchercd to further the design OF robbery en-
tertaned BY their destroyer Six persons were on the
premises at the tine-and but one escaped This was
young negro girl She relates We understand, that
a man residing in the neghborhood visited the house
little after sunset and spent the eveing by the fire
side Of Mr. Scott in conversation with the family -
As he was about To quit, he asked MIR = to walk with
yate To this the unfortunate man consented,
The girl saw no of him, violent struggle
was next heard in the kitchen. The murderer, armed
with short heavy dogwood pestle, had seized the
negro woman and was beating out her brains when
the AGED sister Of Mr. Scott attracted hy the noise
appeared and begged him to desist Irrcvocaby
bent on his design he instantly despatched the poor
negro and Selling the old lady ieed her TO the floor
with blow Of the pestle. negro boy about nine
years old was then killed in the same manner lie
~ ~ l,ttl. /, ia. .t.ln AZ.
young negrcss. The latter made her escape unob
served The ether child was not so fortunate. She
was caught in the room and murdered as summary
as the rest
Not seeing the negro girl and resolved to leave no
clue to his fearful secret the made careful
search in the rooms turning over the beds and scan
ming every corner narrowly Convinced that one of
the family had escaped he seems to have gone of
without concentrating the robbery. The girl fled i'm
medatey to the nearest ncighbors and communi-
Gated what had occurred in her sight and hearing
They repaired to the premises forthwith and found the
melancholy confirmation of her story. The murder
er had fled, and the house burning slowly The
fire was cxtinguished before it had deaccd the bodies
done much injury to the building. In the morning
among the spectators of the nights bloody fruit
the individual spoken OF by the girl the actor in
the scene. He gave instant contradiction to her
story and referred TO the absence of blood from his
clothing proof of his innocence. He denied also, we
learn, having been on the premises for fortnight.
races oil blood, IL Is tounu
his whskers, and he was detained till search was
made at his house, This resulted, learn, in the
discovery of suit of his clothing excessively be-
smcared with blood. He was forthwith apprchendcd
Mr. Scott old and esteemed resident of the
county and reputed to be wealthy The hope
of securing his money led to scheme of murder, as
boldly conceived and deliberately executed any
furnished by the annals of crime The escape of the
girl alone prevented the full execution of the plan.
If she had fallen all explanation of the mystery would
An..> h.
slain would have been consumed together, and the
murderer would have possessed in security the poor
reward of his atrocities, beyond the fear of detection
The mail also brings the account of an
other murder, committed under the influence of jea-
lousy
From the Virginia STAR Dec. l6
A murder of most atrocous character we under
stand committed il the county of Dnwidde on
Sunday morning last, by jeremiah Conway, on the
person OF Edward Lewis, young man, only about lS
years Of age who, at the time when the murder was
committed, resided with Conway's family. II appears
that Lewis had dressed himself with the intention of
going to Church, and was in the act of stepping out
of the portico, having his back turned towards Con
ways chamber door, when c. advanced within few
steps OF him, (having gun heavily charged with buck
shot) and fired when Lewis fell having received the
entire of the gun in the neck and back part
of the head The only supposable assigned for
the perpetration of this dreadful act jealousy, on
the part of Conway. He has, for many years been
member of the Methodist Church. After the act
committed, Conway made effort to escape,
and when questioned in relation to the murder posi-
lively declared that he knew nothing about it. He
has been committed 10 the jail of Dinwiddie county,
where he awaits his trial for this outrageous act
ANOTHER MURDER
The Newark On. J.) Daily Advertiser, says: Ano-
Their Murder has been committed in this State. 1t is
stated that the body of Mr.. r. Rutherford, formerly
merchant al Johnsonburgh, was found near Jugtown,
Warren county, deposited under coffin, where ano-
Their person has been buried previously. The appear
ance of the created suspicious Of its having been