Washington sentinel., 1854-03-09
ITEMS OF NEWS.

ITEMS OF NEWS.
AN ATRocIous AcT.--The Nashville TEN
nesse) Banner contains the particulars of an
outrage of almost unparalleled atrocity which
occurred in that vicinity few days since. A
person by the name Of Miller, suspected Of
stealing some money from one Gideon Riggs
was seized in the night time by Riggs and a
man named Hughes, and after being chained,
was confined four days in q room. He was
then carried by three men to the woods, where,
after being stripped, he was severely beaten
| with branches, and hung up seven times by the
neck, for the purpose of making him confess
the crime, He was finally thrown into the
yard of neighbor and there left, probably
with the hope and expectation that he would
be torn in pieces by the dogs of the place.
When discovered next morning, his feet and
hands were badly frost bitten, and at last &C.
counts it was doubtful if he would survive the
injuries he had received. 1t was subsequently
discovered that the money had been stolen by
one Of Riggs's own negroes. One of the assail
ants had been committed to Jail, the others
had fled.
RIoT AND FIRE AT SYRAcUsE.-The Syra-
cuse Republican says, that on Saturday last a
fire was discovered in a building used as a dis
secting establishment. AS soon as the fire
was queed, attention was attracted to the
room where the fire originated, Here an awful
sight presented ITSELF Bodies, limbs, heads,
intestnes, slices of flesh lay scattered about in
great profusion, and horrible ef1uvia sicken-
ed all who ventured near. These sights natu-
rally enraged those present; windows were
raised and broken, and portions of bodies were
thrown out into the crowd below Among the
rest small coffin, containing the body of a
child apparently six or seven years old, with a
head almost as large as peck measure. The
coffin was broken and the body exposed to
view. The officers, however, soon appeared,
and restored quiet.
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.-On Sunday evening
last, in Brooklyn, a man was shot in vacant lot.
He was evidently pursued by some person who
discharged revolver at him, and SO near that
the powder burnt his clothes. Three balls took
effect in his body. When found by person
residing in the vicinity he was unable to
speak, and died in few moments after.
The body has not been recognised, and at the
coroner's examination no evidence was elected
to throw light upon the subject
The deceased was a large, stout-built man,
about forty years Of age. He had on heavy
brown overcoat dark figured vest, light checked
pants, red top boots, aud fancy undershirt.
The third and fourth fingers ofhis left hand had
been cut off.
ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM THE ToMBs.-
On Saturday last, one of the police stationed
at the Tombs, discovered three prisoners who
had broken from their cells. Two were i'm
mediately secured, aud third, who had ele-
vated himself upon shed, declining to obey
the order to descend, was shot in the arm by
one Of the watchmen, and afterwards secured
On examining the premises there were found
secreted coil Of rope, several handkerchiefs
and bag of sand, supposed to have been fur
nished them by female friend, who had been
in the habit of visiting the prisoners.
FIRE IN New YoRK.-On Sunday morn.
ing a fire was discovered in q house, No. 8,
Spruce street. Before water could be effec.
tually supplied, the flames had increased to
such an extent, that it was impossible to stop
them. Adjoining houses and property to the
amount of 100000 were destroyed, 1t was
reported that Messrs. Harper's lost in stereo-
type plates, paper, $4,000. The fire was sup,
posed to have originated from acids.
The STEAM FIRE ENGINE.--A committee
the city councils of Boston have gone to Gin
cinnati to examine into the merits Of this
engine.
DIR. CHARLES New Book, of the cruise Of
the North Star, continues to sell rapidly. The
splendor of the expedition, and attractive style
in which the DOCTORS book is written make it
o work of unusual interest.