The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-10-13

Brutal Murder at Dubuque.-The Galena Ga.
zette OF The 9h publishes an extract from n let
ter written AT Dubuque, on the Stli giving the de
tails OF one OF the most shocking murders upon
record. Were it not that the editor vouches for
tie responsibility of the writer, we should he in.
clined TO hope that the circumstances have all
been exaggerated. The account says
81 have Just Witnessed one Of the most irhu-
mnn murders ever perpetra,ed in the lend mines.
There was negro man living here by the name
OF Nat, an old resident, whose principal occnpa
ZION was that Of waiting upon the gentlemen o (
the town, and whose wife followed the business
of washing. They were both considered very
useful, though Nat, it was said, would occasion.
ally take, without leave, sundry little articles
such rs tobacco, cigars, stockings, &c. which
was no doubt the result Of n very intimate
quanance with those who employed him. A
few days since il was heralded through The town
that quantity of cloathng had been stolen from
n fellow whose reputation is not very enviabe.
Poor Nat was immediately suspected OF the theft
and the collection of n mob was speedily effect.
ed consisting Of all the 'loafers and 'grog.br
! sers' OF the town.
The victim was dragged from his house and
conveyed down TO the beach in front OF the
town, amidst the shouts Of drunken multitude
and tied to n post-his back barred, and fun
three hundred lashes were dealt out him, 'we
laid on" in good mob style. Duriug the infflic.
ton at this most awful and brutal punishment.
he was made 10 confess in such manner as TO
contradict himself, which gave new impulse
20 the scene, and their mercess crueliies were
continued until his back was literally fayed-
| Gu, 10 pieces lie was then loosed after having
been made TO promise to show where he stolen
things were. But when they took him TO the
place which he designated, no traces OF the stol
en- goods were 10 be seen. 7hirty.nsne addition
al Iashes were ayed upon his fLeshiess back,
with "wi and design" which battles all des
cription. He was then dragged up the stairs of
his house, which he de sigrated under the most
excrutiating torture ms the pIure Of deposit Of
the stolen property; but as before no traces of
the stolen property could be found. In conse-
quence of this another dose was laid upon the
raw and quivering 6ack-horrid! horridn-to
which he appeared insensible. lie then, in a
feeble voice, named place OH the bluff as the
deposite of the things, but begged that they
would let HIM lay down and rest before proceed
ing with him as he felt very sick and very fee
ble' This was denied him. and with oaths and
curses, such were en- lculated TO kindle the
wrath Of the Deity, he was partly dragged and
partly led to the bluff. What they did to him
! there l 10 not know, as did not follow them.
The stolen property was eot found, and the mis-
cradle and i'll fatea creature was brought to his
house, cold, inaRimate corpse with his back bro
ken and his ribs and s,des all sioue ia!
The humanity OF the mob after death had
relieved their victim, may be inferred from the
fact, .hnt they brought him upon two poles to
his house!