The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-18
APPRAISERS
From the 81. Louis Republican, May 1.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE NIGHT OF THE
18TH UI.T

From the 81 Louis Republican, May 1.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE NIGHT OF THE
18th ULT.
For some days past, the city authorities have been
engaged in investigating some recent Developments
connected with the murder Of Messrs Baker and
Weaver and the burning of the store Of Messs Col
er and Pttus and we have RETAINED from giving any
OF the particulars, lest our doing might impede
their operations The objects of secrecy being over
10 the opinion Of the officers feel at liberty
the particulars so far as they have been developed
negro man named Edward II. Ennis who has
been for months past in the employ Of barber
named Johnson, on Market street, opposite the Ma
tonal Hotel made the disclosure. The communica-
lions, 1t seems, were made to Ennis by of the
parties, that Ennis being uneasy about it, and yet
afraid because OF the excitement and also of the muir
ders to tell what he knew went on Friday last 10
Butcher, yellow man, who resides in Brooklyn on
the opposite side Of the river, and told him what he
knew and asked his advice. Butcher refused to give
any advice; on Sunday he went over again and went
to Alton, when Butcher communicated the facts TO
two Constables, who arrested Ennis and after taking
his statement came here with xpectation of catching
one of the parties (Warrck, but he had left before
their arrival
The circumstances Of this horrible affair az detailed
by Ennis are as follows. About 10 o'clock on Satur-
day night, Ennis went from the barber shop TO his
boarding house, kept by Leah, free yellow woman,
and Peter Charleville, free man, on Third between
Market and Walnut streets. Shortly after he had
gone TO bed, negro slave named Madison, came to
tho door, knocked, and admitted Soon after be-
ing admitted, Madison exclaimed Cd d-n the
luck, and on an inquiry why he stated have done
more murder to night than ever did before and have
not been paid for III and after renarking that there
would be an alarm of fire shortly, he stated in sub
stance that he and three yellow men, viz James Sew
ard, alias Sewa, Warrick and Brown, had gone on
that night to Mr. Petus counting ROOM that the door
was unlocked; Madison entered alone Mr. Baker
was sitting down with his boots off, reading news
paper, Madison walked up and presented bank bill
to him, and asked him if it good and as Baker
turned to look at the bill, he struck him over the
head with short bar of iron which he had concealed
under his ARM the others then in and they re-
peated the blows until he quite dead his skull and
one side OF his head completely mashed. After search
ing the body for the keys they rolled ue in the bed
clothes and placed il in the bed
They secured the door and went TO work on the
vault to open it. Whilst at this work. Mr.. Weaver
came to the door and knocked, and called to Jesse
Mr.. Baker, to let him in. Some dispute ensued be-
tween Brown and Madison which should kill Wea-
VEL; and it was insisted that Madison should he
had killed Baker but he refused saying that he had
done his share and would do no more. Brown OPEN
ed the door and placed himself behind it, and Wea-
passed into the room struck him the head with
the bar of iron, the second blow he fell, and at
tempting to RISE Brown thrust sharp iron bar through
his head. Ennis in his statement does not confirm the
report of the firing ofthe pistols but says, that
heard that Weaver shot, he asked Madison about
II, and he told him that pistol had been fired, and
tuey weapons Dul the par Oh iron
ed From the statement it would seem that all Of
them had beaten Weaver.
After some further effort at the vault finding they
could not get into it, Madison left Warrick Sewall
and Brown remained short time then fired the house
in five different places out locked the door and
went up the alley north from the house. and threw the
key away. Brown took with him gold watch and a
blue cloak which he said he had thrown away for fear
of detection.
1t seems from the statements, that Ennis on the
f,Ilowinu wa in all of ham,
and many Of the facts he got from others besides Mad
son. Warrlck and Sewal said but little about it
Madison had with him the morning following the
bar of iron with which the deed was executed, and
Ennis having learned the office il had performed took
il and threw it into sink in the of Leahs house.
The vault was yesterday searched and the bar found
We understand it proves to be an instrument used in
opening dry goods boxes; chisel one end and
claws on the other, of the claws partly broken,
agreeing fully with Ennis's description.
There are many other minor statements but the
above is the substance. The communication Of Madi-
son appears to have been made without solicitation
and Injunction to secrecy
Leah and her husband confirm Ennis statement as
TO the time he came home, and the time Madison
In. They heard the conversation but not sufficiently
distinct to understand il: 1t may be well, however 10
remark, a further confirmation of Ennis's state
ment that yesterday Madisons coat found in the
loft of Leahs house besmeared with blood From all
that gather, il does appear that the scheme
had been long concocted that they had very well
ma,ured their plan Of operations.
We subjoin such description Of the murderers as
in possession Of and trust il may be sufficient,
If they have not been already apprehended to lead TO
their detection
Madison is a slave belonging to Samuel g. Blanch-
ard, of New Orleans; has been here some time run
ming at large and if correctly informed, was
sent here to avoid prosecution in New Orleans He
is stout, copper-colored man. near six feet high,
about thirty five yenrs old very bold and mpudent in
his manner. We understand that short time since
-. 4 A. ~ a
CO. and lately returned this city II is believed that
he left here the "Wednesday following the murder
on board the Missouri, for New Orleans.
Brown is dark mulatto about FIVE feet ten inches
high about Thirty years of age and il s said resided in
Cincinnati. He seems TO have been here very short
time. He on board the Goddess of Liberty
bound for Cincinnati
James Seward, alias Scwall, is dark muatto, about
five feet nine inches high, stout made, and bold
ming and well educated negro. Il is said he reads
and writes well; is originally from New York, has re-
sided at New Albany, was last summer on board the
steamboat Agnes and during Madisons sojourn At
Chicago was with him there He is supposed to have
left the steamboat Atalants, for the Ohio river
Warrick was a barber, and has kept shop for some
time past in this city, franklin avenue. He is a
very dark mulatto slender made about five feet nine
ten inches high aged about Dc and remarkable for
bold, impudent and naughty manner. II rs believed
that he lch on the Omega, bound up the Missouri
Iiyer and that his purpose was to Join the company
going to the Rocky Mountains.
Officers have been despatched in all the directions
named, and il is reasonable to presume that they viii
be apprchended. Should they unfortunately fail u !.
TO be hoped that all good citizens every quarter w
lend their energies apprehend item and bring them
to punishment Ennis, the witness, will remain IN
custody.
IL would be invidious in TO bestow praise on any
of the officers who have been engaged IN TINS abar.
The two ccnstabes of Alton the Mayor anu Guy po-
lice the city constabes and several citizens, have
spared no PAINS trouble expense, to ferret out the
guilty and wetrus, that they will, in addition to the
reward offered have that higher reward the pleasure
Of seeing the nsuled majesty of the law fully atoned
for.