Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-07-21

as might have created sympathy for him,
if he remembrance of his appalling crimes
had not been TOO vivid. As il was, twelve
or thirteen thousand persons regarded The
s. enc without even any touch Of sadness.
Few men have passed from earth so - hol-
ly ulr GREETED as did this murderer and
pIratt.
HIS CONFESSION.
His so-called confessions, in which he
5, e&s notoiiety for crimes which, from
the nature Of the circumstances, he could
not have committed, must be accepted
with great caution. The following ac-
counl OF the murders on the E. A. John
son, for which he suffered death, as dc
taled by himself, contains matter of much
interest, though it is evidently improved
| by the amanuensis for sensation purpo-
ses:
The sloop E. A. Johnson, offered an
easy prey She had on board, | suPpos-
ed, from all the information could gath
er, something over 81 600, and the entire
crew consisted Of but two boys and my
self
had never known of nor seen Captain
Burr before shipped with him. He had
never done me injury or wrong, so that
had no revenge to CRAFTY, no grudge TO
pay.
He seemed kind and amiable man, ,and
would, have no doubt, awakened kindly
feelings in any heart but mine, and even
| liked him. Yet, engaged myself TO
him solely and only for lhe cruel purpose
of taking his life, the lives of the two
young men, and making myself master OF
the money supposed he had on board.
calculated 10 do this as calmly as you
would contemplate doing any of the usual
duties in the ordinary transactions OF life.
had killed men, yes, and boys too,
many tine before, for far less induce
meni than the sun supposed | should
gain by killing them; and | had too often
dyed my murderous hands III blood in
days gone by, to feel the slightest com
Functions or qualms Of conscience then.
never thought Of the consequences Of
such crime. The fear Of detection new
once crossed my mind, had too often
done the same thing with imPunity to be-
leve that day Of reck oEing would ever
come, in this world al least, and never
gave thought to the world to come.
After engaging with Captain Burr, |
went home to my wife, al No. l29 Cedar
street, and lying down on the bed told her
not TO disturb me, as wanted 10 take a
long sleep, and If any one came for me, to
say that | was not in. She left me alone
and then deliberately matured all my
plans. marked out the course | inen-
ded to pursue, exactly; and after had de
cided upon everything, | went TO sleep
and slept as soundy as ever slept in my
life and my mind was so much al ease,
and felt so contented al the idea of hav,
ing al last an opportunity of making some
money in an easy way.
The next day went on board and
commenced nv duties, and in order 10 in
grariate myself into the good graces OF The
captain | did even more than could have
been expected of me.
We sailed on the 10th Of March from
the foot of Spring street, and proceeded 10
Keyport, where we remained ill Sunday.
While here scraped the mast of the
sloop, did lot Of carpenter work, and ev-
identity pleased Capt. Burr very much by
my earnestness in trying TO make every
Thing look ship-shape.
We arrived al Gravesend on Saturday
afternoon, and waited there for fair
wind.
At last we put TO sea. and when we
were off the Ocean House went TO the
forecastle and gol an axe, which put in
The boat hanging TO the davit aft.
The Younger Watts was at the helm,
and asked him 10 allow me 10 steer
little while. He consented, and went for
ward.
In few minutes left the helm, and,
taking the axe, went TO him, and asked
him if he saw Barnegat Light. He said
he did not. told him TO look again, and
pointed wilhSmy hand.
He turned round and looked in my lace
a moment, but even if he had suspected
my cruel purpose, he would have read no
indication of there, for was as calm as
though | was going to do the slmPlestand
most innocen, thing in life.
Had been under human influence, the
confident and trusty way in which he
turned his eyes 10 mine would have made
me hesitate, but no such Ihought entered
my heart. and pointed again and told
him to Look there, amt that 1t =
lie turned his head and peered through
the darkness in the direction | pointed,
and as he did so, struck him on the back
OF the head with the axe, and Knocked
HIM down.
He fell.