Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-02-18
the room that | Illcn occupied as a sleeping

occupying his room for this purpose. Re-
licving myself by this thought, ! soon lit a
candle knowing that no time was to be lost
something must be done. This was about
nine O'Clock | should think.
Having closed the shutters, | went and cx-
amincd the box TO see if could not crowd
the body into it. soon saw that there was
a possibility ofdoing SO, if could bend the
legs up, and that it would answer if could
keep some of the canvass around the body,
TO absorb the blood and keep it from running
out. This | was fearful of. 1t occurred to
mc-ifl bury orsend this body oii,tlie clothes
which he had on, would, from description,
discover who it might be. 1t became ncces-
sary to strip it and dispose of the clothes,
which | speedily accomplished by ripping up
the coat sleeves, vest, &c. While removing
the clothes, the keys, money, S'c. III his
pockets caused n rafting, and took them
ont and laid them one side. | then pulled a
part Of the awning over his body TO hide II.
| then cut and tore a piece from the awning
and laid it in the bottom OF the box. then
cut scvcral pieces from the awning Tor the
purpose Of lcsscning its bulk, supposIng 1t
was too much to crowd into the box with the
body !. c. 1t would not 90 in. i then tied
as tight as | could a portion Of the awning
about the head, having placed something like
flax, which | found in the box, with the avn
ing. (This flax or swindling tow came from
"A room l had previously occupied-No. 3
Murray street also the awning.)
| then drew a piece Of this rope around the
legs at the join, of the kncesand tied them to-
cethcr | then connected IA rope to the one
about the shoulders or neck and bent the
knees towards the head of the body as much
as | could. This brought it into a compact
form. After several efforts succeeded in
raising the body to chair scat, thence to
the top of the box, and turning it round a lit
tie, let it into the box, as easy as could,
back downwards, with head raised. The
read, knees and feet were still a little out,
but By reaching down to the bottom of the
box and pulling the body a little towards me,
| readily pushed the head in and feet. The
knees still projected and had to stand npon
them " i,h all my weight before | could get
them down. The awning wasthen all crow
ded in The box, excepting ii piece or two,
which | reserved to wash the floor. There
being still a portion Of the box next to the
feet, not quite full, | took his coat, and al
ter pulling up "A portion OF the awning, crow
ded it partially under them and replaced the
awning. The cover was at once put on the
box and nailed down with four or five nails
which were broken and of but little account.
then wrapped the remainder Of his cloth
ing upand carried it down stairs to the privy
and threw 1t into it, toghther with his keys,
wallet, money, pencil case, &C.. These last
things | took down IN my hat and pockets,
a part wrapped in IA paper and Il part other
wise. In throwing them down, ! think they
must have ratified out of the paper.
then returned to the room, carried down
the pail which contained the blood, and threw
it ~intotIic gutter Of hestreet; pumped several
pals Of water and threw in the same direc-
ton. The pump is nearly opposite the out
ter door of the building. Then carried a
pail of water no stairs, and commenced
washing the floor. and repeated said washing
10 tlie third pail then rinsed the pail return
ed it clean aud two thirds full OF water to the
room ; opened the shutters as usual, drew a
chair 20 the door and leaned it against it on
the inside as / closed it.. Locked the door
and went at once to the Washington Bath
House in Pearl street, near Broadway. On
my way to the Bath House, went by a
hardware store for the purpose of getting some
nails to further secure the bookstore was
closed. When | got to the Bath House !
think by the clock there it was S minutes
past 10.
washed out my shirt thoroughly in par
Of the sleeves and bosom, that were somo-
what stained with blood from washing the
floor. My pantaIoons on the knees ! also
washed Il little, and my neck handkerchief
in spots.
then went home. 1t wanted when ] got
home about ) minules of | ! o'clock. | lit a
LIGHT as usual. Caroline wishedto know why
came in so late. made an excuse, saying
that was with a friend from Philadelphia, |
think, aud that ! should get up in the NOR
ming 10 90 and see him Off. | went to the
stand, pretended 10 write till she became
quiet or went TO sleep. ] then put out the
light and undrcssed myself, spread my shirt
sc. ont and went to bed. In the morning
about - %o'clocE. ! got up, pu, my shiII
and handkerchief, which were not yet dry
into tie bottom of the clothes basket Under
the bed; always changed my shirt on going to
bed. In tie moaning put on a clean shirt aud
handkerchief, and was nearly dressed when
Caroline wokeuP. ! said to her that it was
doubtful whether should return to breakfast;
did not return went to tie Office; found al
apparently as | had left 1t. Went after
some nails-got them at Woods store; the
store was just opening.
Returned TO the room, nailed the box o,
all sidcs-went down to the East River t,
ascertain the first packet for New Orleans
returned TO my room; marked the box
moved it myself, but with great difficulty, It
the head of the stairs; did not dare to let i
down myself; went to look for a cartnlan
saw "A man passing the door as | was going
out ; requested lin 10 help me down will
the box he got it down without any assis
tance-prclrrrcd doing so; paid him 10 o
II cents went down Chamber street for
5 cartman whom | saw coming toward Broad
} way ; hired Inn to take the box to the shiT
, foot of Maiden Lanc-wcnt with him.
While he was loading tie box, | went TO m,