The true Democrat., 1857-01-13
in the counties of Union, Columbia, Ouachits Johnson, Greene, Sebastian and RandoInb
From the Louisville Coulier Dec oa,b

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 From the Louisville Courier Dec 9th A Whole Family Murdered by Negroes.
 In the Courier of Monday we briefly alluded to the probable murder of a family of Joyce in this county, and the destruction of their property by fire. We are now in full possession of the facts of the horrible affair so far as ascertaned from one of the relatives of the murdered family Tn this city The house was the property of Wm. Joyce, young man, who was fortunately away from home on the night of the murder to attend a wedding. He had however, left a brother, Richard Joycc, aged 19, at the house to take care of his property and the family during his absence.
 The house was what is denominated double log house, consisting of two rooms, divided by an open passage. The house is situated on the borders of Jefferson and Bulltt counties. on Brlar creek, the dividing line of the counties. about fifteen miles from tue city, and not near Salt river, as was stated. The inmates of the house were Mrs. Lydia Joyce. her son Richard Joyce young man of 19, Mrs. Welsh, her daughter widow, and the latterS little daugh- ter, child of three years. The oldest son, Wm. Joyce, the owner of the house, as before stated away from home. The house was burnt to the ground last Thursday night, and the next morning an investigation led to the horrible belief that the entire household had been murdered The charred remains of the two women were found near the fire place, while those of the young men were lying in the place supposed to have been occupied by the bed.
 MT. Wm. Joyce returned to his home to find 1t mass of smou:dering ruins, and with the assistance of the neighbors, instituted vgor- ous investigation of the premises, and the cause ot the disaster. Suspicion at once fastened upon several ot the negroes in the vicinity, and on searching the premises of Mir. Pendleton, a watch coat, pants, and other things, the pro- perty of Wm. Joyce, were found secreted un- der the house. Bill, slave of Pendletou, was then arrested, and confessed that he and three others murdered the family, plundered and then tred the house. At this revelation the greatest excitement prevailed, and lynch law was about to be enforced at once, but calmer Judgment overrued the action of the more has ", and the three other negroes Implicated were caught and tied to stakes to make them con- fess their participation in the bloody deed.- They were Jack and George, slaves of Hiram and Lewis Samuels, and boy of Samuel Browns, resident of Jefferson county, and the nearest neighbor of the Joyce family.- The others are residents of Bulitt county.- The slave of Mr. Brown was arrested late in the evening. They all deny the murder, though suspicion, aside from the confession of Blll, Is very strong against them. An exami- nation of the negroes was about to be instituted by local magistrates, but the feelings of the community were so highly excited that it was deferred, and we learned that strong force was bringing them here to be lodged in iail.
 Ernp ba ,,f. PendIeton, 1t appears that the negroes hearing that Wm. Joyce was absent from home, had determined to rob the house, under the belief that he had large sum of money. They went to the house about midnight, broke open the door and encountered Richard Joyce. the broth er of William. He was brained with a club in the presence of his mother and sister. The aged mother seized d pair of tongs to. rush to the defense of her son, but on the instant was attacked by the negroes, one of whom knocked Ter senseless with club. The daughter, Mrs. Welch, attempted to escape out of a window. but was caught by the feet dragged back and and then beaten to death. The infuriated ruff fans then sacked the house, took the little girl ot Mrs. Welch, threw it upon the bed set fire to It and fled, the child being actually burnt alive. The house aud contents were destroyed and the murderero thought their horrible crimes would not be revealed, but the discovery of a portion ot the property and the confession of one of their number has brought the awful cnme to light, and terrible will be the punish. meht. The people are aroused and vengeance dire Will be visited on the heads of the mis- gn1ded watches. The strong arm of the law should deal with the guilty, and it Is to be hosed that it will prevail
 Wm. Joyce Is well known in this city as a thrifty husbandmau, who regularly sent the product of hls farm 10 this city for marke and had amassed about one thousand dollars n cash. His mother, and Mrs Welch, her daughter, were auch esteemed by all who Knew them, and leave many sorrowing friends to mourn their untmely end.
 Nlnce writing the above, we learn that the people of the ncghborhool assembled and avowed determination to hang the murderers on the spot. They were then in custody of a Iarty ot the friends of MT. Joyce, who started with them to this city. On the TO d they were met by deputation of citzens of Jefferson county who, together with several from this city. hhally persuaded them to bring them here and let the law have it's course This was finally acceded to, and they were lodged in the Jal yesterday afternoon. A hand axe dyed with blood was found in the possession of one of the negroes.
 From the subsequent revelation it appears that the negroes contemplated saving the life ot the child, but fear of discovery induced them to sacrifice the little innocent. and it was ruthlessly cast into the flames.
 It appears that one at least of this party is very desperate fellow, having attacked the keeper of atradins boat at the river some time last spring. He went to the boat, and under the pretense of buying some trihing article made an attack upon the man, and knocked hlm down, but was prevented from doing furth- CT misch ef by the wife of the man, who came to his relief with gun.