The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-08

or inc J,l' way or preserving free society
frJy., anc vices and diseases that bcsct il.
An Extraordinary Tragedy ct
New E2avrn.
Tie murder of Justus Matthews, at New
Haven, Connecticut, Is a most cxtraOrdina-
~ affair, almost surprising belief in this
enlightened age. From long statement of
the facts in the case, given by the New Ha-
ven Courier, of Monday, we take the fol-
lowing:
1t seems that there exists in the upper
part of the city peculiar religious sect,
known as the "Wekcmanitcs,' who have
made their doctrines known by holding meet
ings at the house of n Mr.. Samuel Sly
This Mr.. Sly has no wife or family, but has
ii woman living in the house with hiE4l, nam
cd Rhoda Wakeman, who is the founder of
the sect called Mathematics" This wo-
man affirms that she was murdered about 80
years ago, and went to Heaven, and, for
some reason, which she does not state, came
back on Garth 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 stories,
her views about the Bible, and her expcr-
fence in the spiritual world. Among hor
believers and followers nre many families
who 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 present at the meeting Al
moron Sanford and his wife, Justus Mat
thews, Betsy Kcelcr, Mrs. Davis, AMI
colored man named Josiah Johnson. They
met about 2 O'Clock Sunday afternoon, and
continued their meeting until late hour in
the night. About o'clock Monday morn
ing, the widow Wqkeman 1.-THE prophetess)
says that she heard q noise IL the IOom be-
low. She occupies a small room IN the ct
tic of the house. The house as common
story and half house, with thin partitions,
and noise in the lower story could be east
" heard i'll the rooms above. The widow says
that she told Betsy Kccler, when she heard
the noise, that she thought ''all was not right
below"
Nothing further, however, occurred until
Monday morning, when Matthews not max
ing his appearance, his son went to the door
of one of the front rooms OF Sly's house, and
found it locked, but persisted in breaking
open the door. He looked into the room
and there bchcld his father lying dead upon
the floor, with pools o. blood surrounding
his head. The alarm was Immediately Civ
en-, and several citizens FASTENED to the
house. Gifted blood and hair lay upon the
dour around him and several pools of blood
were found near his head. 1t w&s truly an
awful scene to witness. The throat was
gut from ear to ear, and his head seemed TO
he nearly severed from his body. 1t is evil
dent that he could not have committed the
decd himself, from the nature of the wounds.
They were doubtless made by n Ratchet or
some instrument heavier and more powerful
than knife or razor. 4 small rope was
found on the floor, and marks of rope were
discovered on his wrists, and it was evident
that the wrists had been bound by this rope.
The house was thoroughly searched, and
bloody clothes were found and marks of
blood upon both sides of the door leading to
cd. \ common butcher. knife was found in
4 box or small chest, well sharpened and
having the appearance of being used recent
", but no Ratchet was found except one so
dull and rusty that no use could be made of
it.
The following persons were arrested dur
ing the afternoon and lodged in Jail, charged
with committing or in some way being ac-
cessory to the crime: Israel Wooding,
Almeron Sanford and wife, Abigail Stables,
Thankful S. Hersey, the widow Wakeman.
1.-THE prophetess,) Samuel Sly, and colored
man named Josiah johnson.
Subsequently coroners inquest was
held, when some most singular facts were
ELECTED. A. Sanford testified as follows:
1 went to the house OF Mr.. Sly with my
wife about dark, on Sunday evening. We
found Jackson, Wooding, Miss Abby. and
Samuel Sly there. Justus Mathews is my
wife's brother. found them in the chamber
singing end praying. About IL o'clock
Matthew'S GENE to the house, Widow Wake
man said she was haunted by Mathews-the
!.'man of power with ON evil spirit. When
Mathews came lie went into the front room,
where there was fire. Rhoda Wakeman
wanted Mathews to come to the meeting, so
went to see him, and he seemed willing to
como. When he came, my wife tied a
handkerchief over his forehead, and they
tied his hands behind him, the same as they
would the devil. l told him he had a bad
spirit, and he wanted tc give itup. Jackson
and Wooding were with him, aud he talked
With them ab"7t tie svl spirit. Widow