The Van Buren press., 1860-10-19
Brutal Murder.

We are called upon to chronicle one of
the most brutal murders that it was ever
our lot to know of. An eyewitness !" of
the affair has given us the following ac-
count
Mr.. DUNHAM-Sir: deem it duty
being an eye-witness-to give you an out
line of the dreadful affair that occurred last
Saturday. the 18th of October, the terror
of which will long remain in the minds of
those who witnessed it, and one that will
stain the reputation of our long peaceable
city. And the blood of the murdered men
will stain the streets and pavements of her
beautiful terra frma for many days and
weeks it has been already four or five
days since the horrible crime was commit
ted, and the blood is to be seen spread over
the streets and pavements-"T The blood of
murdered man shall RISE" What horrid
spectacle to see three murdered men lying
in pile-two brothers and q son-mur-
dered by the villainous hands of two bro
theirs who have always been a pest and
terror to the whole country ever since they
arrived at the age of Is years, and who
have already cost our county some twelve or
fifteen thousand dollars, and who have been
running at large some time without notice.
But on Saturday suppose they thought
killing three good citizens by tho name of
Covington. it being public day, and every
body was called out to muster, as it was
There was quite large number of people
in attendance. and the day passed off with
peace and quiet up to the hour of the kill
Innr soh oh Il IL
evening, when the fight was commenced by
ono Benjamin Edwards, who drew gun
and shot jackson Covington, and then ran
upon him and knocked him in the head
with his gun but while he was accom-
plishing this horrible deed, his brother ST.
las stabbed Covington's son, who ran up 20
protect and save the life of his father, but
alas, he was too late. He was stabbed and
killed by that notorious villain, Silas Ed
wards, and then. after accomplishing that
wilful deed. he ran up where tho young
mans father lay, and thrust his large bow
lie knife into him three or four times, as
though he was killing wild beast of the
forest. He then ran across and came in
contact with Rufus Covington, who met
him with his hands only, and would, had
there been no interference from any other
source, saved his life, bnt he was knocked
in the head with rocks, by some two per-
sons, but do not know who, and then
the said villain rose and stabbed him two
or three times, killing him almost instant
ly. The two Edwards then made for their
horses and endeavored to make their es-
cape, but were pursued by our energetic Of
ficers and brought back and lodged in Jail,
where they will remain until the next term
of the Circuit Court, when it is to be hop
ed they will be dealt with according to law
This, sir. is about as an impartial view
of the affair as | can give. Although an
eye witness. there were many things done
that l could not correctly memorize l
therefore give tho statement as near as
can without doing injustice to either party.
AN EYEWITNESS
VAN buren,, Oct. Is, 1860.
After the arrest of the nurderers, an at
tempt was made by the excited populacc to
take them from the officers and hang them
without trial. But by the determined will
and strenuous efforts of the officers having
them in charge, they were got to Jail. On
Tuesday, the two Edwards were brought
before Justice HATHAWAY for examination
under guard of twenty-five men to pro-
teet them. BY advice of counsel, they
waved an examination, and were ordered
back to Jail. On their way back, when
within about forty yards Of the Jail, two
brothers of the murdered men armed with
guns brought them oil to a stand the
gua,j, Seeing their determination to fire,
gave way, when one fired and brought them
to the ground, and the other firing directly
after. The younger Edwards was shot in
the body and arm, the other through the
thigh and arm neither Of them were NOR
tally wounded. and UP to our going to
press are recovering slowly.
Our advice to all parties interested is to
let the law take its course. See if there is
not a remedy there if not, it will then be
time enough for the people to take the law
into their own hands. We think there is a
remedy, and We trust that no good citizen
will give countenance to any act that will
bring disgrace upon our city, and place a
stain upon our fair name, that time will new
er efface but give to the officers of the
county cordial and ready support in the
maintenance of law and order.