True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-13
T,ro nore Muraar. Is pann.rlrania.

murders which we're cOssSiteeu before
daylight on Friday morning the LIST inst,
near M'Keesper, in Allegheny county. -
The victims Of The Jiabolicsl tragedy
were George Wilson and his sister Eliz.
abeth Wilson. aliss Ministers, both of
whom were advanced in age. They were
known to be possessed of considerable
amount Of money.
In consequence Of some suspicious
which were aroused by the conduct Of
woman named Charlotte Jones, a niece
Of the murdered parties, she was arrested
and tai eli before Justice Clemens of
Monongahcla city. to whom the follow,
ing confession was made:
"Charlotte Jones, alias Fife,--makes
oath May LIST. 1857. before John Glenn.
ems, Esqr., That about three weeks ago,
at the residence Of her father, near Dun
ningsyille, in this county, her brother
William, told her that he was going 10
kill his uncle George Wilson and aunt
Elizabeth Wilson, otherwise called Nc.
Masters, for the purpose Of getting their
money; he said lie needed it 10 pay
Montgomery & Gibson 10 clear him Of
the poisoning case" he was charged
with in Washington; that she saw him
in M'Keesport this morning, when he
gave her one dollar and hall, be said he
had about one hundred and fifty dollars
more; that he had just killed the old
folks, his uncle George and aunt Eliza.
beth, during the night to get the money;
that a certain James Williams, who
broke out Of the Washington Jail at the
same lime her brother did, was with him
ut the time and helped him to commit the
murder; that both were concerned in it,
and both said they were her brother
killed one and WilGana killed the other, as
they both said; when she saw them their
hands and clothes were bloody; blood on
their shir, breasts and sleeves: William
had bowie knife that she saw it was
bloody and bent at the point before this
time Williams lived about five miles be-.
low Cannonsburg after this conversa-
tion, they both crossed the river and went
over the hills toward Washington county;
said they we're going to h-ll, as they did
not know where else they would CO.
She first saw them at the Yough wharf
on the M'Keesport side; when they gave
her the dollar and half, they both
swore they would kill hei if she would
tell; Williams drew the bowie knife on
her when lie made the threat; this was
between FIVE and six o'clock this morning
Monroe Stewart and her husband, Hem
ry Fife, were both present at this time,
and heard them acknowledge the murder;
three weeks ago her brother wanted her
husband to join him and help murder the
"old folks" for their money, but be refu.
sed. and they have not been on good
terms ever since she believes her broth.
er at this time is somewhere in the neigh
borhood Of Dunningville, and Williams is
also somewhere in this county. She is
certain and positive that the murder was
committed by her brother and Jim Will
liens she knew Jim Williams before ;
bad seen him at Hickory early in The
morning of the murder Of Sam White"
Charlotte was then taken to the resi-.
dence of Esquire Clemens, and warrant
issued for the arrest of William Jones, Jr.
and James Williams, for The mnrder ol
George. and Elizabeth Wilson, and a
number OF men were sent into the neigh
borhood Of Dunningsville to apprehend
them if there, or scour the country be-
tween that place and the river opposite
M'Keespert. If they had not reached the
residence Of Charlotte's father, where
William had been concealing himself
most OF the time since he broke out of Jail
Late in the afternoon news reached Town
that Fife and Stewart had been arrested
at M'Keesport, and we're held there IN
der the charge Of murder.
Struck with the familiarity with which
Charlotte spoke Of Samuel White, and ltt
fact Of her having seen Jim Williams a
Hickory, on the morning Of the murder
Of Samuel White, our reporter Getermin
ed to make further and more private in
quiries concerning her knowledge as in
dcaled by her words, of that as yet mos
mysterious tragedy. Accordingly, thi.
morning, early, with Mr.. Clemens, hi
went to Charlotte's room, and had con
versa.ion with her nearly as follows -
Charlotte, II seems you know this
Jim Williams 2"
After some hesitancy she replied
HYes, he broke the Washington jail wher
bFOlher Bill did; aud have seen him Sc
yeral times since; he used 10 come into
the woods near fathers house up b,
Duaningsvil!e, and whistle; and thel
Bill would 60 out TO see him."
!" You said you saw him on the morn
ing that Mr., White was murdered /
Where and how was tha, I"
" ! was al the front door OF my sister
house III Hickory, that morning abou
daylight. and Jim came along. walkin
pretty fast with his head thrown back
and his hat in his hand"
~ Did you speak TO him, and what di
he sav o.
I" He asked me IL had heard that Sar
White was killed | said had not :
lie said it was rue; and that Sam had
payment Of $3.50 to make that day, b.
guessed lie missed il. He did not sto
walking, but went on and turned dow
the roadat the corner where Mr.. Donna
used 70 live, as goiag towards where b
lived on the pike about five miles belO
Cannonsburg."
ibid Williams know Mr.. White r.