Louisville messenger. (Louisville, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1842-08-06

lowing narrative viii DO read with
absorbing interest, Freeman arrived
here on llc Star, IN the custody of The
brother of his murdered wife, and will
soon appear before the bar of Justice
10 answer for the inhumnn decd. The
particulars were derived from Nh
Crawford, and arc doubtless correct.
The prisoner, Wiley Freeman, was
born in EdgcGcld district, $. G, whore
he married Mary Crawford, about
twenty years ago.-1'hey lived hap
PLY together until nc took TO drink,
when he would beat and abuse her in
shocking manner. After remaining
some months IN this diSagreeable situ-
alton she came to the conclusion to
separate from him; accordingly she
came to the house of her brother,
John Crawford, where she remained
with her eleven children until he re-
moved to the District of Columbia.
Freeman afterwards enticed the chill
dren away and then sent them to their
mothers house in ragged and dirty
condition. No sooner were they
clothed again by the afectionate mo-
Their than he would persuade them
back. The third eldest son who lived
with his mother, one day was sent BY
her with a message to the father
when he arrived at the house he was
told by Freeman'S sister that his father
was absent and that he had better
take the children home to his mother.
The boy Franklin by name) had not
long departed when the father came
home. He asked his sister where the
children were. And when she in
formed him that the son had taken
them away he Snatched 4 rifle from
the mantle-piece and loaded it, put
ting in two balls. Swearing he would |
shoot the boy, and Immediately went
in pursuit. When he came to the ferry |
which they had to cross he asked i'll
the children had crossed ever, (descri-
bling them) and was answered in the
affirmative. Fortunately for them
they had taken a by-way, but unfor-
tunately for their mother they had
not got home. Freeman with mur-
derouS intent pursued his way to the
house; and on. discovering that there
was no one in but his wife and black
woman, he cooked his piece and took
deliberate aim. 1t was only then that
the poor woman discovered him or
became aware of her dangerous stu
alton. She exclaimed, "Lord, MIR,
freeman youare otgoingto killmep'
He replied 81 am, by Cod" where
upon he fired and she fell from her
chair on the floor. The old black
cried "you have killed my MISTRESS
and began to alarm the neighbors by !
screaming. He commenced loading
his gun again but when he had ram
med the ball about a foot down the
barrel, the ramrod broke. He now
became alarmed and fled.
This atrocious murder was commit
ted on the 10th of June, 1887. The
neighbors hearing the cries of the
black woman were soon on the spot,
the body was lifted and put on bed,
and the abused wife expired next
morning with no word against the
murderer
Shortly after this the Governor Of
fered a reward of $500 for the APP
prehension of the murderer, and he
was taken and committed to jail; but
before his trial came on he effected
his escape
John Crawford, brother to the muir !
dcred woman, at this time lived at
distance of 500 miles from the scene
of blood
Upon hearing Of the death Of his
sister, he came to Edgefeld with the
full determination Of pursuing the
murderer, promising himself no rest
until he had discovered him; and
faithfully has he performed his duty,
through many difficulties. He first !
proceeded to Texas, where he heard /
Freeman was residing, and obtained |
from President Houston an order to
arrest him, and power to covey him
to Georgia. But Freeman went to
Mexico, where he remained, until an
order issued by the government in
relation to foreigners resident there,
compelled him to leave the country,
embarking by sea for New Orleans.
He worked here for some time, but
as his conSciecne would not let him
rect he lntnrnninnd- "a rntnr1, u ~