The true Democrat., 1856-02-05
From the NcW Haven LOurler Another Tragedy-Murder of JuStus Matthews.

The city was thrown into considerable excite ment by the announcement of another murder Monday. It seems that there exists in the up- per part of the city a peculiar religious sect known as the |" Wakemanites," who have made their doctrines known by holding meetings at the house of MT. Samuel Sly. This Mr. Sly has no wife or family, but has a woman living in the house with him, named Rhoda Wake man, who is the founder of the sect called the "Wak kemanites" This woman affirms that she was murdered about 30 years ago, and went to Heaven, and for some reason which she does not state, came back on earth and founded the sect already alluded to. She breaches and prays, and holds meetings at her house, giving to those who assemble to hear her peculiar sto- ries, her views about the Bible and her expe- rience in the spiritual world. Among her be- levers and followers are many families who 1 live in Hamden, and they are in the habit of coming down to her house on every Sunday to attend meeting. She held a meeting at her house last Sunday evening and there were pre- sent at the meeting Almeron Sanford and his wife, Justus Matthews, Bctsey Keeler, a Mrs. l Davis and colored man named Josiah John son. They met about two o'clock Sunday af ternoon and continued their meeting until a late hour in the night About o'clock Mon day morning, the widow Wakeman (the proph- etess) says that she heard noise in the room below. She occupies small room in the attic of the house. The house is a common story and half house, with thin partitions, and a noise in the lower story could be easily heard in the rooms above. The widow says that she told Betsey Keeler, when she heard the noise that she thought all was not right below"
 Although widow Wakeman affirms that she thought "al was not right below" at o'clock in the morning. no effort was made by her to ascertain anything concerning the supposed l trouble.
 About o'clock yesterday (Monday) morn ing, young son of Justus Matthews began to search for his father, wondering why he had not made his appearance at so late an hour in the morning He went to the door of one of the front rooms and found it locked, but persisted room and there beheld his father hGnq dead upon tue floor, aoiM pools cf blood swroanding las head.
 The boy was struck almost dumb with ter TOT, and immediately ran into the street and went to the next house, and got Mr. Lewis Dor man to come to the house and see the body.- Mr. Dorman did not go into the house, but i'm mediately went and notified Justice Bennett of the facts Mir. Bennett and number of men repaired immediately to the scene of blood.- They found the body to be that of Justus Mat thews, who is a pistol maker, and works at Whitneyville, but lives in Hamden. He was one of the individuals present at the meeting held at the house Sunday evening.
 When first discovered the body lay upon the foor with the head towards bed in the room; and it was found with the face turned towards the window, lying upon the left side, and lay very nearly in the middle of the room Clot- ted blood and hair lay upon the floor around him, and several pools of blood were found near his head. It was truly an awful scene to witness The throat was cut nearly from ear to ear, and his head seemed to be nearly sever- ed from his body. It is evident that he could not have committed the deed himself from the nature of the wounds. They were doubtless made by hatchet or some instrument heavier and more powerful than a knife or razor. A small rope was found on the floor and marks of a rope were discovered on his wrists, and it was evident that the wrists had been bound by this rope.
 A post mortem examination was held at o'clock Monday iaftemoon. The body was ex- amined and the wounds probed and ceansed by Drs. Knight, Jewett and Daggett.
 While the post mortem examination was be- ing held, and also throughout the day, crowds of people assembled in front of the house to learn the facts and particulars concerning the murder but few persons, however, were admit ted into the house.
 The house was thoroughly searched, and bloody clothes were found, and marks of blood upon both sides of the door leading to the room in which the body was discovered A common butcher-kn knife was found in box or small chest. we'll sharpened and having the appearance of being used recently, but no hatchet was found except one so dull and rusty that no use could be made of it.
 The following persons were arrested during the afternoon and lodged in jail, charged with committing or in some way being accessory to the crime: Israel Woodng, Almeron Sanford and wife, Abigail Stables, Thankful S. Hersey, the widow Wakeman, (the prophecies Samuel Sly. and coored man named Josiah Johnson.
 THE JURY OF INQUEST
 Dr. Jonathan Knight was called and testified that he was called to the house about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The body was found lying on the left side upon the floor. On the left side of the neck was one wound three inches long, an inch below and beginning an inch ybehind the ear, forward not quite to the wind