The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-03-14
TUE KENT COUNTY MASSA.
GRE.
II uRTuER PARTICULARS.

individuals in Kent County Maryland.
Below will be found full particulars Of
the outrage.
The tragedy was enacted, it is
thought. about half past six on Thurs.
day evening. Mr.. Cosden, who was
a most worthy, Industrious, and highly
respectable young farmer, had just
risen from the supper table, and was
abou, taking a seat by the fire, when
he discovered a man standing outside
of the window with a gun leveed at
him. which he fired instantly. tho ball
taking effect, and he fell. The man
who fired the gun then came to the
door. and, finding it fastened, knocked
a panel out with the muzz'c of his
gun. and putting his hand in, removed
the fastening, leading to the inference
that he knew exactly how it was
fastened. On opening the door, Mrs.
Cosden and Miss Cosdcn ran to the
opposite corner Of the room, when he
leveIcd his gun again. and fired, the
ball taking effect on Miss Cosden, who
he also rushed on and stabbed with a
knife in both breasts.
Mrs. Coshen then fled into the yard,
and the small white boy ran behind
the door and succeeded in etlecting
his escape. the smoke of the gun con.
ceaed him. The boy says he saw a
tall man standing in the yard as he
ran off. Mrs. Cosdcn was found dead
in the yard. having been shot and
stabbed. The rings were taken of OF
her fingers, and the ear rings torn out
OF her ears.
They then, observing that Mr.. Cos
den was still alive. shot him again and
stabbed him. whilst one Of them tram,
pied and jumped on his body. He,
however, lived three hours after the
tragedy was discovered, and stated
that the man who shot him was un.
known to him. but that he was thick
set man, with black whiskcrs. He.
also, heard two other men talking
outside at the time the one inside was
enecting his murderous object on Miss
Cosden, but did not see them.
Miss Rebecca C. Webster, who
was lying sick " stairs, on hearing
the alarm and reports Of the gun, had
fastened the door of her room, and
one of the men came up and broke
the door open. She states that she
impIored him for her life and told him
that all the money she had was in her
trunk. He then examined the trunk,
and being unable to find the money.
rs it was tied up, he returned to her
bed and shot her in the breast. and
several slugs were found in the bed,
which was also set on fire, either by
the wadding or Intentionally by the
assassin. She survived until Satur-
day evening about 7 o'clock, when
she died.
The black woman belonged to De.
putty She riff Edwin Crouch. who resid.
ed on the adjoining farm, about a milo
distant, but was hired to Mr.. Cosden.
She was engaged at the time at her
ironing table in the kitchen. and on
turning around observed the kitchen
door slightly opened, when two guns
or double barreled gun, was fired at
hcr-both shots taking eflect-one in
her side and the other passing through
and SCATTERING her wrist. She imme.
dately succeeded in making her cs-
cape out of one door and ran to the
residence of her master, on the ad.
Joining farm, and loudly called for
him. On reaching the house she fell.
from exhaustion. and at the last ac-
counts was still alive. though but little
hopes were entertained Of her recov-
erv. She states that she did not see
the persons who fired any Of the guns.
There have been three persons ar.
rested on the charge Of being con-
cerned in the murder. William w
Webster, an uncle to Mrs. Cosden,
and also of Miss Rebecca G. Webster,
her sister, who resides in Delaware,
was arrested on Friday. and under
went an examination before magis-
trate in that State, and proved an
alibi by several most respectable witt
nesses. He was arrested on the ties.
timony of brother of Mrs. Cosden,
about ten years of age. who hac said
he heard his uncle make some threats
against Cosden and his family: besides
which, there had been a difficulty
between him and Mr.. Cosden about
some land. This was the boy that
escaped from the house at the time OF
the massacre, and fled to Georgetown
Cross Roads and gave the alarm. Mr..
Webster having come over to Mr.;
Cosden's place on Sunday to attend
the funeral Of the four victims. was
arrested on suspicion Of having some
connexion with or knowledge OF the
affair, and committed Tor further ex.