Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-10-17

Appalling Affair.

Appalling Affair.
On Saturday morning last Richmond city was
thrown into state of intense excitement by the
announcement that two slaves had been abducted
from their masters by an abolition agent, calling
himself Francis Auburn, and that one Of them had
been butchered by this man, who, on being arrest
ed, took large quantity of strychnins and put an
end TO his existence. We obtain the following
particulars of the horrible affair from the Dispatch
of Saturday:
Auburn arrived in Richmond about four weeks
ago from the North, and obtained work as cary
er. On the Sd inst he rented from Mr.. John
Enders large three-story brick house on Main
street. between 22d and 23d streets, for the pur-
pose, he said. of opening restaurant. About This
time he fell in with negro man named Garter
James, belonging to Mr.. j. II. Grant, and in
duced him to consent to run of, promising to take
him to the North. Carter having become the
dupe OF the monster, persuaded Bayliss, slave to
Mr. Jesse Williams, 10 accompany them. On
Tuesday night last, Carter and Bayss having ar
ranged their plans, started to Auburn's house to
see and consult him. They met Auburn on the
way, who recognised Garter and then preceded
them to his house on Main street, where he took
them into the third story and there promised 10 get
them to the North in safety or lose his life, de-
claring that he had control OF a vessel which
would sail from this port en- Thursday or Friday
night for New York, where they could immedi-
ately get employment at s25 per month and board,
and that he was regular agent Of the abolition
lists to run off negroes, for which he was paid
Relying on what had been told him, Carter paid
Auburn about $50 in money, and Bayliss and him
self continued housed from that time until Thurs
day night, Auburn locking the doors securely
when he went out to get them food, and all three
of them sleeping together on the same bed.
On Thursday night, says the Dispatch, Garter
complained of being unwell, and asked Auburn to
procure him some medicine. Auburn immedl-
ately went out and returned with bottle contain
ing paregoric and strychnine, Of which he gave
Carter dose, which produced death in few
minutes. He then made Bayliss assist him IN
renewing the body to the cellar, where ii was left
All night. 1Nt1I Hc new
shovel made Bayliss dig hole and after cutting
the throat of the corpse from ear to ear, and rip
ping open the bowels from the pit OF the stomach
down, deposited it in the ground and covered it
ND. This inhuman cruelty so much alarmed
Bayliss, that he determined to escape to his mas
ter, if possible, and especially So after hearing
Auburn say that he had killed several negroes be-
FORE Accordingly on Friday night, when Au-
burn had gone of for some purpose-probably to
get new supply Of negroes-Bayliss went into
the second story Of the house hosted one Ofh front
windows, jumped into the street, and FASTENED to
his master and informed him Of all that had Ia
ken place Mr.. Williams Immediately gave such
information as he had obtained to 1t. Wheat, OF
the nigh; watch who reported theiacts TO 1t. Irue-
heart, and in a short time thereafter the night po-
lice were all making diligent search for the ne
gro thief and murderer. portion of the men,
guided by Bayliss, forced an entrance into the
house, but finding Auburn absent, entered the
cellar and discovered the dead body.
A correspondent of the Petersburg EXPIRES,
gives the following account Of the arrest of Au-
burn, and his horrible death:
Having learned from Baylss that the murder
was committed by white man who had conceal
ed thorn in the house, the officers SET guard a
bout the premises, and at a late hour, man was
seen to enter. lie perceived that the place had
been invaded, and at once sscreied himself. AT
length, however, tae officers discovered him in
coal house in the neighbmlng lot. The door was
forced in and the man snapped revolver at them,
which fortunately missed fire. Waterman Hill
thea seized him by the throat, while others sacur-
ed his pistol and knife. At the moment of his
seizure, he blew into Mr.. HIPS face a quantity
of ,chi!e po,cer, which caused that officer some
dsagresabe sensations. The prisoner was taken
to the cage and on the way thither admitted that
he had killed Carter, and considered himself
fool for having done it. He apologised to Mr..
Hill for blowing the power into his face, and ad-
vised him 10 drink some ,sater-sdvce which
Hill thought prudent to disregard. Fortunate
was it for him, for the white powder was strych-
nine.
On arriving at the cage, the prisoner was seized
with spasms, which continued at short intervals
until he died. His death was horrible, and sx-
hibited all the peculiar symptoms produced by
,irychnine. He swallowed the deadly drug at
the moment o fhis arrest, adopting that desperate
method of avoiding the punishment he wsuld GER
tainly have undergone after proof Of his guilt had
been developed.
Judge Nason--EngIand and the U. States.