Arkansas intelligencer., 1857-06-05
From the Louisville Courier.

From tie Louisville Courier.
Sequel to the late Tragedy-Burial of the
-Four Negroes-Confession when Arrested.
After the coroner's inquest, yesterday, the
bodies of the four men were taken in charge
bv the c:ts authorities and buried in the city
grave yard at Cave Hill. No undue excite
ment was perceivable in regard to the dread
full tragedy, but all appeared to subu,it to the
ruling of the mob, though all good citizens
thought and felt that such things should not
be. No matter how great the offence, or how
damning the deed, the supremacy Of the law
should have been maintained, and not en-
trusted to the hands of lawless mob.
The report current yesturday, that the mob
offered indign;ty, in any respect, to Judge
Bullock, is, we are informed, without founda-
tion.
Subjoined is the full confession of Pendle-
tons negro man, Bill, together with the state
ments of the two negro men Of the Messrs
Samuels. This was taken at the time when
they were first arrested and examined in the
county, after the various articles Of wearing
apparel, money, watches and jewelry of the
murdered family had been found in the cabin
of Bill Pendleton. The examination was made
before ten men, appointed by the sheriff, and
the subjoined statements and confession were
taken down at the time by one of the MEM
bers of the committee. When in the hands
OF his executioners, the rope around his neck,
and the full consciousness that his last mo-
ment had arrived, Bill again said that his
previous confessions were true, and admitted
his guilty participation in the arson, robbery
and murder. 1t will be read with interest:
Jefferson CO., Ky- Dec. %, 1856,
At the residence of Mrs. Alex. Stewart.
: The following committee was appointed by
the deputy sheriff to examine the four slaves,
Bill Pendieton, Bill Brown, George. Samuels
and Jack Samuels, arrested for the murder of
Mrs. Lydia Joyce, Mr.. Richard Joyce, Jr.,
Mrs. Louisa Welch and her child, on Briar
creek, Jefferson county, Kentucky, Thursday
night Dec. Is, 1856.
w. N. Brown, Ii. d. Maloney, L. G. CALVIN.
James Maloney, VIM. Kennedy, Wm. Wright
and w. G. Kidd.
BILL PENDLEroN's CONFESSION.
The following is Bill Pendleton's confession
He is the property of David Pendleton, of
Bulhtt county, KY:
Geo. Samueis came to our house on Sun
day, about one or two weeks previous to the
murder, and asked me if l had any Christmas
money. told him l had some. | asked
him if he had any; he said no, but was going
to have some soon. | asked him how lie was
going to get it. He said he was going to
burn Mr.. Joyce's house. That occurred ON
the day we made the plot. lie (George) had
been out cunning with his masters gun, and
had killed one rabbit. On the night of the
murder Geo. and Jack Samuels came to the
back part of our field. about 8 or 8 o'clock,
and halloed. l went out to them; asked if
they were going down there; said yes, they
thought MIR. Joyce had money; we went down
the hill near Joycc's house; there Bill Brown
met us; then went to the house, looked in the
window; saw all the family in bed and prob
ably asleep; all had clubs; and Jack had a
hand axe. George then went to the door,
pushed it open little, found chais- against
it; put his hand in, and moved the CHAIR
George first went In, struck Richard once
killed him, believe. Jack followed, George
turned and struck the old lady, Mrs. LYDIA
Joyce, one blow. She fell out of bed; she rot
up, went to the fire place and squatted down;
Mrs. Welch woke up; Jack Iii. her with club
She came to, went and sat down by her mo-
ther, Mrs. Joyce, at the fire place, George and
Jack went to pIunderng. | aud Bill Brown
had been standing outside doors all the time
to watch. Bill Brown then went in, went to
fire place, stood awhile, then commenced
plundering; Mrs. Wechs child woke, who
was sleeping between the old lady and its
mother; Mrs. Joyce, went back and got into
bed; Mrs. Welch called "Mother.' The mo-
ther answered, "What do you WANT" Mrs.
Welch said, You know what want" Mrs.
Joyce got up, went back and sat down by the
fire place beside her daughter; the child asked
if we were making a fire; (no reply) had got
through plundering; then set fire u Richard
Joyce's bed; took lot of old newspapers, put
them at the foot of the other bed In which
the child was sitting up. The child smiled
as it appeared to be amused at the light; we
then went out as far as the yard gate, when
George and Jack said, by Cd, BOYS, it
won't do to leave them, they will tell on U.S."
George and Jack then went back; Jack went
in first, had hand axe; struck Mrs. Welch ON
the forehead with it; George followed; struck
Mrs. Joyce with a club on the head, she aud
Mrs. Welch both fell over as if dead; they
then pulled the door after them and left. 1
got one pair pantaloons, one black cloth coat.
velvet collar and black buttons, one black
satin vest, one black cravat, with green spots
in it, two silver watches and steel watch kew.
one pair kid gloves, two boxes gun caps, one
music box. George Samuels got one silk
dress, don't recollect what color, and some
other articles which he put in the sleeves of
the dress, don't know what they were, and
one dollar bill torn half in two, out of pock
ct book which was in the trunk. Jack Sam
uels got dress. believe it was calico, The af
terwards said it was. aud other things which
he put in the dress, don't know what they
were, and about three dollars and fifty cents
in money, out Of Richard Joyce's pocket book,
which was in his pantaloops pocket. Bill
Brown got a pair of ear rings and breast pin,
which were in a small box and that ,v,s oil