The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-22

ABRAHAM INsKEEP, Appraiser, New Orleans,
vice Sheldon S. Clark.
From The 81. Louis Republican, May |.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE NIGHT OF THE
l7TH ULT. @a
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 Messrs Col
ier and Pettus, and we have RETAINED from giving any
Of the particulars, lest our doing SO might impede
in the opinion of the officers we feel at liberty TO state
the particulars so far as they have been developed
A negro named Edward II. Ennis, who has
been for months past in the employ Of barber
named johnson, on Market street, opposite the Ma
tional Hotel, made the disclosure. The communica-
tons, it 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
dsrs, to tell what he knew, went on Friday last to
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 again and went
to Alton, when Butcher communicated the facts to
two Constables, who arrested Ennis and after taking
his statement, came here with expectation Of catching
one of the parties, Warrick but he had left before
their arrival. .6' 2Gai ~. a.s8@ 4. .. rarIF
The circumstances of this horrible affair as detailed
by Ennis, 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 10
the door, knocked, and admitted Soon after be
ing admitted, Madison exclaimed "G--d d-n the
luck, and on an inquiry why he stated III hayedon
more murder to- night than did before and have
not been paid for il !" and after renarking that there
would be alarm Of fire shortly, he stated in sub
stance that he and three yellow men, viz: James Sew
ard, alias Sewall, Warrick and Brown, had gone on
that night to Mr.. Pettus counting ROOM that the door
was unlocked; Madison entered alone, Mr.. Baker
was sitting down with his boots off, reading a news
paper, Madison walked up and presented bank bill
to him, and asked him if it was 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
peated the blows until he quite dead his skull and
side of his head completely mashed After search
ing the body for the keys they rolled up in the bed
clothes and placed it in the bed. . f5tg2 @4s5
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. Bakery to let him in Some dispute ensued be-
tween Brown and Madison, which should kill Wea-
ver. and it insisted that Madison should, as 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, on the second blow he FELL and at.
tempting 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 having
heard that Weaver was shot, he asked Madison about
1t, and he told him that pistol had been fired, ant
that they had weapons but the bar of iron mention
ed. From the statement it would seem that all oil
them had beaten Weaver. ~ IN
After further effort at the vault, finding they
could moi get into it, Madison left Warrick Sewal
and Brown remained short time then fired the house
in five different places came out locked the door and
went 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. ..t.a .@. 5Ats ,H& E#.>.t #E a,
II seems from the statements that Ennis on the
morning following, in company with all Of them,
and many of the facts he got from others besides Mad
son. Warrick and Sewall 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
II and threw it into sink in the rear of Leahs house
The vault was yesterday searched and the bar found
We understand it provesto be an instrument used in
opening dry goods boxes; chisel on one end and
claws on the other, Of the claws partly broken,
agreeing fully with Ennis's description.
There many other minor statements but the
above is the substance. The communication Of adj
SON appears to have been made without solicitation
and injunction to secrecy .#@
Leah and her husband confirm Ennis statement as
10 the time he came home, and the time Madison
in. They heard the conversation but not sufficiently
distinct to understand H. 10 may be we'll however, to
ment, that yesterday Madisons found in the
loft of Leahs house besmeared with blood. From all
that gather ii does not appear that the scheme
had been long concocted, that they had very well
matured their plan of operations
We subjon such description of the murderers as
in possession of, and trust it may be sufficient
if they have not been already apprehcnded to lead to
their detection. ,.@ .... NJ
Madison is slave belonging to Samuel G. Blanch-
ard of New Orleans; has been here some time run
min sv~f
sent here to avoid prosecution in New Orleans He
is stout, copper-cOlored man, near six feet high,
about thirty years old very bold and mpudent in
his manner. We understand that short time since
he took trip his own hook, to Gaena and Chica-
CO. and lately returned this CITY, II is believed that
he left here on 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 it is said resided in
Cincinnati He seems to have been here very short
time. He was seen on board the Goddess Of Liberty
bound for Cincinnati. .S-
James Seward alias Sewall is dark mulatto, about
five feet nine inches high stout made and bold,
ming, and well educated negro 1t 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 Madison's sojourn at
Chicago was with him there He is supposed to have
left on the steamboat Ataanta, for the Ohio river
Warrick was barber, and has kept shop for some
time past in this city, on Franklin avenue. He is a
very dark mulato slender made about FIVE feet nine
ten inches high aged about g. and remarkable for
a bold, impudent and naughty manner. his believed
that he left on the Omega, bound up the Missouri
river, 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 will
be apprehended. Should they unfortunately fall it is
be hoped that all good citizens ofevery quarter will
lend their energies to apprehend them and bring them
to punishment. Ennis, the witness will remain In
custody.
Itwould be nvidious in us to bestow praise on any
of the officers who have been engaged in this ahair
The two constabes Of Alton, the Mayor and CITY po
lice the city constabes, and several citizens, nate
spared no palms, trouble, expense, to eriet o' w.
guilty and we trust that they will in addilion 10 m
reward offered have that hghe reward-the pleasure
of seeing the psulted majesty of the law fully a'0nea
for. Ha-s