Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-06-23
From the Richmond Compiler.


The New Orleans Picayune Of The 9th. inst
oI!ngS us one OF the most shocking histories Of
Urine ana punishment we have read for manv a
aay. Ihe Parish of Concordia was the scene.
Wo negroes, one named Joseph, beonqnr to
Mr. Voohees, on the Bayou de Glaize, and the
ov ~ named Enoch, who had formerly been own
tu In me same n"ghborhood-w sold i'm New
U y and having ran away, returned to the
'arish oil Cohcordia He persuaded Joseph and
d negro girl, to go off with HIM. They armed
themselves and proceeded TO the house of MIR.
moan Harrington, Red River, whom thew
Miiied; they carried Off his daughter, whom
they detained in the woods six weeks, and treat
ed with cruelty and abuse the mos, shocking
and brutal.
iney 'heh Killed another man, whose name is
mol known. After committing this murder, on
returning to the place where Miss II. was con-
,i''ea' tney remarked that they had killed another
"oe' Aiter THIS they wen. TO the house of MIR.
also H" carrying OH mi Mrs. Todd with Go sm ihsH
chiid' whom they treated also in most brutal
manner, and threatening to Kill both her and the
child II 1t should cry; and often when they were
on the point of killing them all, the yellow pirI
would throw herself on her knees and beg their
lives, saying that if they shot them, their bullets
would have 10 pass through her BODY. Mrs
iodd and Miss Harrington both state tina, the
yellow girl several times saved their lives.
one oil the mnrderefs was caught, on the 9Th
hllSSlSSIDDl.
the other making his escape, though no. without
having had several balls fired at him, and is sup
posed 10 have been wounded though not caught
II Is to be hoped that lie will soon be brought to
pay the penalty Of his atrocicus crimes
The boy Joseph Immediately after his capture
confessed that he killed both Mr.. Harrington and
Mir. Todd, and the other person, but stated that
he had been forced to do il by Encch, who first en-
iiced him 10 run away. No white person was
implicated.
Alter tins confession, it was deliberately re-
solved that the negro should be burned alive.
The terrible scene is thus described by the Free
Trader:
'''fhe boy was taken and chained to tree I'M
mediltciy on the bank OF the Mississippi, onwhat
is CARED Union Point. Faggots Were then col
iected and piled around him, TO which he appear.
ed quite Indifferent. When the work was com
pleted, he was asked what he had 10 say He
then warned all TO take example by him. and ask
ed the prayers Of all around ; he then called for
drink OF water, it was handed TO him he drank
itand said "Now set fire. am ready 10 90 in
peace ~ The torches We're lighted and placed
In the pile, which soon ignited. He watched
unmoved the curling fame as it grew, until il be-
gan to entwine Itself around and feed upon his
body then he sent forth cries Of agony painful
to the ear, begging some one to blow his brains
out, at the same time surging with almost super
human strength, until tho staple with which Tie
chain was fastened TO the tree (not being well Sc
cured) drew out, and he leaped from the burning
pile. At that moment the sharp ring Of several
rifles was heard-the body Of the negro fell
corpse on the ground. He was picked up by
some two or three. and again thrown into the fire
and consumed-not vestige remaining to show
that such being ever existed.
The yellow girl was taken to Natchez, in the
custody Of Mr.. &. S. Lyman. who will deliver
her UP to the proper authorities al Vidaiia, La.