Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-29
DAILY VIRGINIAN.

loRRIBIE MURDER IN lILINoIs-A MOTHER
AND HER THREE CHILDREN KILLED AND THROWN
INTO THE RIVER. A few days since we publish
ed an account Of tho discovery Of several dead
bodies floating in the Illinois river, near Meredo-
sia. Some particulars have since transpired,
tending to relieve the affair Of tho my stery in
which it was involved, and to induce belief that
the murderers may yet be arrested, as the police
at last accounts were on their track, and but
days journey behind them. The Morgan (Ili-
nois) journal. Of July 49, says:
"A fisherman on tho river below Beardstown,
says that on the LIST of May. two men, woman
md three children came TO his house and stopped
for tho night. The men hired to out wood for
Mr.. Briggsand tho whole party occupied II shan
ty on the west side of the river in the lower edge
Of Schuyler county. On the evening of tho mur-
der.tho mon purchased two jugs of liquor, saying
that they were To have "frolio.' On the eve-
ming of the Goth, about eleven o'clock, two men,
who were fishing in tho vicinity Of this shanty.
henfda cry of murder" from IA woman, but IL
soon ccasod Thoy afterwards heard ono Of the
children esclaim, "Pap, dent kill mo-" They
seem 10 have made effort TO interfere, or In
yesiigote the affair. as they report that they soon
heard splash in the river, aud then all was still.
No one was To be seen ON the following day.
The body Of tho woman was found about ono
mile above Meredosia, and was brought TO that
place for the purpose Of holding an inquest. She
IL described M beng about twenty five years
old, about five feet high. with dark brown hair,
aud full set of tooth. She bore marks Of vio-
lence upon her breast and body her neck was
dislocated and cord was drawn three times a.
round il. towhioh we're attached a heavy sad iron
and skillet lid, weighing together about twelve
pounds. She was perfectly destitute of cloth
ing, sheet being wrapped around her, and tied
Mt the fect and around the neck. Tho verdict Of
the jury WAS that she had been murdered by
some person or persons unknown.
Tho children are described ms lst a little girl
about ten years old Cd boy six. and Sd, boy
four years old, OF these, tho Two eldest only
have been found, thought is probable the young
est child shared the fate of the rest of the fami
ly. The girl was found near Naples about the
same time with the woman. Tho oldest boy was
found about three miles above Meredosia, with
both legs thrust into on, leg of his pantaloons.
and tho other tied around his neck. The cir
oumstances go to prove that the most brutal
murder ever known in this section Of tho State
has been committed. Tho murdercrs seem to
have ondcnvorcd TO remove NIL trnces Of the mur-
dor, as only n striped shirt with marks Of blood
upon IL hnd been found.
The men spoken Of above gave the names Of
George G. Clayton alias John George. and Jas.
Watson. Clayton, who was II heavy built man,
pocked marked. with dark hair and blue eyes,
say W years of ngc, called himself u French
Canadian. Watson appeared little younger
and shorter, but also stout with freekled face aud
black hair. md said he was an lrishman, but lasI
from Canada. Perhaps this description may
serve 10 deveope tho namo Of the place from
which they came in Canada. if they were really
from that province.