Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-28
Dreadful Tragedy at Illehmond.

80
Dreadful Tragedy at Riehmond.
We published under our telegraphic
head yesterday morning, an account Of
the terrible butchery Of the family OF Mr..
Joseph p, Winston Of the firm of Mace &
Winston, grocers, on Monday morning,
at Richmond, Va, Mrs. Winston and
her only child, aged about eight years
were found lying in bed in pool of blood
the child dead. and Mrs. w. Just expi-
ring, Mr. Winston, himself, was also
found lying in an insensible condition,
with an awful wound on the head, i'm
mcdiately between the eyes, opening the
forehead, besides three other wounds on
the back of his head. Mrs. w, also re-
ceiVed three or four wounds-one about
three quarters Of an inch wide. and two
inches long, on tho forehead, immediate
above the nose, apparently made with
some blunt instrument, probably an axe
or Ratchet, also, two deep cuts on the side
of her head. The child seemed to have
been smothered, or choked to death, or
dashed against the wall-the throat and
breast exhibiting severe bruises. The
Enquirer gives the following additional
particulars
Mr.. Winston had made preparations to
leave the city, with his wife, who was in
delicate health, on Monday morning for
the North; and had in his possession $500
in cash, aud drafts for large amounts-all
of which was found safe, SO it appears
that plumber was not the object Of the
murderers. The house had not been
forcibly entered, the locks, windows and
doors were all secured-and the infer
cnce Is irresistible, tibet the horrid butch
cry was the work of those who were ac-
quainted with, and had access 10 the pre-.
misses. Que OF. the negro women who is
suspected. kept the key of the outer door,
in rear of the premises. and who was, as
usual the first 10 enter the house, yet
was not the first to give the alarm. On
returning to the kitchen, after opening the
house in the morning, this woman said
that 1.-THE white folks must be dead-she
couldn't wake 'em up" A Ratchet WAS
found in the room occupied by this wo.
man and her husband. who is carpen.
ter, and a man of malignant temper. 1t
had traces of blood ON the handle, and
appeared TO have been recently washed,
Marks OF blood. we learn, were found on
the person of the same negro woman.
The negroes, six in number. three men
and three women were arrested, and un.
dcrwent an examination before the coro-
ner-but without being concluded, it
was continued until Tuesday morning.
Mr., Winston has very extensive family
connexions in this city. and tho shock is
SO sudden and astounding, that. as may
be supposed, the deepest sympathy for
them pcrvades our entire Community
Every effort, we are satisfied, will be
made to bring the offenders TO justice
and circumstances already brought to
light are so strong rs to induce many t.
believe that the wretchcs arc now in Gus,
tody.
Mr. Winston is still alive, and speaks,
though entirely insensibIe either Of the
loss Of his wife and child, or of his own
situation, On being asked if anything
was the matter with him, he answe ed,
"No, only my jaws pains me-" When
asked who struck him, he replied, "No
oue."
1t ia reported that two Of the negroes,
imam and wife) desired to be sold, but
Mr.. w. who is the owner of them all re-
fused to sell 'them-hence their disatis.
faction, and hence it is thought their too
fatal revenge.
The Wing says the only thing stolen
from the house was a gold watch. The
tragedy has created the deepest excite
ment in Richmond.-BaA. San.