Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-06-08
9ailg Tirsiaiau,
The Oyster Sloop Tragedy Confession
of the Murderer.

The murder Of the Captain and crew Of tho
Oyster Soop. l.. A. Johnson and tho subsequent
trial aud conviction Of Albert W. Hicks. the al
lodged murderer, has been extensively noticed in
the II: newspapers: On Thursday afternoon last.
Hicks made full confession Of his guilt to his
keepers at the New York City Prison, Hicks
says that the murder was committed between
nine and ten o'clock at night while the crew were
below, except one Of the Watts boys. Hicks was
steering at the time. while Watts wns at the bnw
on the lookout Hicks stole furwarl. and with nm
axe dealt his unsuspecting victim such u powerful
blow that he killed him outright. The noise AVA
kened the other Watts who was below. md rs the
latter was coming up the companion way to see
what was the matter Hicks dispatched him also
with the same weapon. The murderer then star
ted for the cabin. where Captain Burr was lying
a.cep. and made an attack upon him. The slrug
gle between Hicks aud the captain was n desper-
ate one. and lasted for several minutes: but at
length the murderer overpowcred his victim and
knocked his brains out with an axe. Hicks says
that the captain fought hard, but being unarmed.
he was poor match .or him:
In reference to tho knife marks found on the
bulwarks Of the sloop. Hicks says that they were
not made by him. The bodies were not thrown
overheard Tor an hour Or more niter the murders
had been cmmited. 81 that he had no occasion to
cut the hands Of his victims rs they clung to the
rail was supposed
When asked h,w lie f.!t IN ls,ard the sloop nf.
ter the commission nf the MURDERS he replied that
the devil sustained him. and he lelt good enongh.
- lie hns d serted me now, though resumed the
murderer " and feel bad enough " At The con
clusion ot the confession long conversation rnsu-
cd between the culprt and the keeper. which ran
somewhat after the following style:
Keeper Y.'u sn" that The captain struggled
hard before he died
HEX, Yes, he fought hard but brought him
at last.
Keeper-You say the devil was with you, and
sustained you during the time you were on board
with the murdered men.
llicks-Yes. the devil wasss ssthc filth man. and he
sustained me Throughout, the whole scene. lie has
left me. since. though.
Keeper whereabout. was the sloop when tho
murders were committed
Hicks-We were about fifty miles oLt ut seq.
They sny TIM. one Of the bodies has been found.
How is thaty
Keeper That is the report.
Hicks-l don't believe it. 1t WIS tao lar out at
SEAL and took good that they should not come
up.
KeeTer-lIow about tho murders on the ship
Salndin which you are suspected Of being impli.
Gated inf
Hicks-Well. have been mixed up in great
many scrapes. You will hear all about it when
my lie comes out in pamphlet form. The pa
implicit il to he published for the benefit Of my
widow. and will he issued in II few days
The reporter informed that United States
Marshall Rynders had given order not to al
low my person to visit Hicks. The gentleman
who visits the prison for the purp 80 Of getting
the necessary materials for the biography is an ex
cepton, however, and is permitted to enter the
cell every morning.
Hicks appeared perfectly cool during tho time
he made this confession. Sometimes. however. he
not disposed to answer freely all the questions
put To him by the keeper, and acted as though he
half In No iii
lie hns great desire to see his wife. who is now
excluded from his cell. and says her presence
would add greatly to his ease Of mind The kee
pers are afraid that Hicks has some idea Of max
ing his escape. and will not allow him To see any
one. much less his wife.
The prisoner spends the greater part Of bis time
in smoking ami Looking over illustrated ncwspn-
pers. Occasionally he INDUCES in singing sine
verses Of his own composition, and in chatting
with his keeper.