Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-07-28

yrai.i, were burnt in Lucas immediate nciuhbor-
hood, belonging to persons who wefe Witnesses on
Dehai' OIL ina Commonwealth, in his Several con-
vicuons. From cogent circum5taiices, and the
character of Lucas, he was uniysrsallv believed
10 be the incendiay, and since his last
ne mas Admitted The fact. Lucas next exploit in
the way OF crime, was at muster in September
last lie mad quarrel and fight with his own
sisters SON. and in the fight he struck blow with
his list. which instantly killed his nephew. For
ihis murder lie was afraighed, tried and acquitted,
owing 10 some extenuating circumstances Since
his recent confinement, ho says he ought to have
been punished Tor this murder, as he acknowled-
ges he had pound OF lead rolled up and conceal.
ed IN the HOLLOW of his hand when he struck the
blow that killed his nephew.
The next crime Of which Lucas is accusetr, is
only founded on strong circumstances, which are
on with drove Of cattle to the north, merely as
driver was returning home through Ehcas' neigh.
borhood OH foot. He was seen 10 pass a house
in the morning and almost immediately after, Lu.
cas- was seen by the SAME man who saw the dro-
yer, to go on after him, with his rifle gun on his
shoulder and directly after, the Same man heard
the report OF a gun down the road he way thew
had gone. Lucas soon after returned, and there
was much blood on his clothes. The same day
there was seen large quantity of blood in the
road. But as the drover was an entire stranger.
no investigation was had. lie never arrived al
home, nor has he since been heard Of, and Lucas.
II guilty OF this murder, If a murder was commit
ted, escaped punishment. Very recently, mans
dog, in the vicinity of this transaction came to
his master, with a human skull in his mouth.
Lucas last crime, and for the preparation of
which the world has been freed from such a mon
ster, was the murder of John Poff, poor laborer,
who had been working at the salt works on Ka-
nawia few months, and who, with the proceeds
OF his labor in a wallet, was travelling on foot
and alone to his family in the county Of Floyd
Lucas Tell In with him on the highway, and as il
was late In the evening, eniiced him TO 90 home
with him, as ne said he could entertain him for
the hight as well as any one In an evil moment
poor Poll consented, and soon after met his fate.
Dave Killed him within less than two hundred
yards OF his cabin, and SO obscure is Lucas resi-
dence, thar the mufdefede man lay nearly week
above ground without discovery and what is GER
taln'y very strange infatuation on the part of
the murderer, apparently no pains or care was Ia
ken 10 conceal tho foul decd. This wrctched
criminal was apprenended, tried, and fonnd gull
~ OF this murder by the jury in fifteen minutes
from their retirement from The court room. There
were seventeen witnesses on behalf Of lie COM
monweaith; the criminal had no witness. and re-
fused to employ counsel. The court, of course,
assigned him counsel, but his case was so plain
and 1agrant, that the learned counsel U pre-
suine) thought 1t unnecessary to make any de-
'ence' and submitted tito the jury without arru-
m
ced upon him, and in accordance, he was hung
on Friday the 24th of June, at Giles G.. H.. the
DAY you saw his brother in the Pententiary.-
me spectators, male and female, black and white
would number perhaps 5000.
Inc wretched man died as he had lived, reck-
less' and without any outward sign of compunc-
uon-made no particular confession when under
the gallows; on the contrary, made use of profane
language whenin this awful situation in response
10 something said to him by some of the attend
ing clergy, and finally made an attempt to bite
the Sheriff S ear whilst he was adjusting the rope
round his neck. SO lived, and thus died David
Lucas, the wretched murderer
Inc Hon. Judge Browns address to Lucas on
passing ms sentence, has been published in the
hicl'"ond Wing. Ifyou have not seen it, it is
well worthy of feadihg.
Inc next in the list of this family of criminals
is John Lucas, the one YOU saw i'm the Penitentia-
rIy lie is "Old Ran's'' third son. He, also, has
Killed his man, and his full cousin, too for i,
seems they are like cid Cain, their hands appear
20 oe raised against then own kin. John and his
cousin engaged in fight, caused by the cousins
Jibrlng, by saying 'youF btother David is in the
PenltentIary;" which SO enraged John, that he
struck him blow with his heavy rifle gun with
all his force, ceavng his scnll to the very teeth.
breaking stock and barrel of in the middle, and
causing instant death. Dave Lucas being, in
part the cause OF this quarrel, and its disastrous
recklessness of his behavior on hearing of Dawes
hnal fate, and may have been strong in his mind
when he made the observation YOU mention.
That u would have been to the credit of the FAM,
NY II Dave had been hung many years ago. -
John was tried for his life, but as the murder oc.
Cured In fight, and under very aggravatinp cir
cumstances on the part Of the murdered man.
Johns life was compromised for a Ia ycars resi-
dcnce in the pententiary. never heard of any
other depredatons on society committed by this
criminal. You have seen him; he is very GOOD
tae simile of this depraved family of Lncases =.
lhey are, truly Savage looking race: There are
yet Two btotiefs younger than those already ma
med, who have not rendered themselves so con-
sPlcuous In the annals of crime what their fate,
will be time only can tell. They promise fair TO
be genuine chips of the old block, and although
young, are already the terror Of the neighbor-
hood. GU can hardly believe such commuhi:
~ oil savages could be produced In one family. in
our civilized country.
'oid Kan" has also daughters, for these i'll
weeds are very prolific; but they are worse than
lhe sons, (save the mark) and hereby hanos a
tale But it is tale not meet TO be told amono
CHRISTIANS. and | will pass it over. have wit,
ven enough to weary your patience, and, perhaps,
'nonoPoiize too much Of your time to read il. But
TIC 'die Is true, and such it is send it to YOU.
.1t II. u.
The Lyhchburg Virginian has the following
"o''eeo OF Tho execution of Lucas :--"David Lucas
was hung at Giles Court House on the 2ltb
"'.,ih pursuance Of his sentence, for the murder
OF !ohn Poff. lie died, as he had lived, deftino
"oo and man. He denied, however, that he had
murdered Pon, bu. said, ne held him while anoth.
er Individual, relation or his, committed the
o'0ooy act lie ehdeaVofed to kill every person
u ~. came within reach Of him; and (says the