Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-05-13
Murder ana IncendIarisnl.

From the New Orleans ~rue Delta April sol
Mr. D. Murphy, who arrived here last night
on the steamer Gen. Banks, furnishes US the
particulars Of a most brutal murder that was
committed early on Sunday morning, Path
inst about seven miles follow Donaldsonvile,
BY four negroes, on the persons Of Mr. John
Mccormick and HE broiher-in.law, Patrick
Kelly boy fifteen years OF age-all employed
on the plRptation Of Mr DeYisser.
Our informant states that the negroes broke
into the house Of Mr. Mccormick about one
o o'cloek, while all the inmates we're asleep,
and, before they could arouse themselves to
full realization Of the presence Of the mur-
derers, they we're 'overpowered and killed in
their beds, as above stated The murderera
then attacked Mrs. Mccormick (who, during
the killing Of her husband and young Kelly,
had had time to partly dress herseli) and cut
and stabbed her until they supposed lite ex-
tinct, when the fends fastened the doors and
while one Of the number dressed himself in
Mrs Mccormick clothes, the others made
brief search fer such articles as they could
conveniently carry of, and then fred the
premises aud left. Fortunately, before the
FIRE had gained much headway Mrs. McCor-
mick recovered sufficient strength to reach
bed in which two children, aged six and four
out of a window. and then made her pwnies.
cape. The three took shelter in an adjacent
corn.cfib, where they remained until about
o'clock that morning when they were found,
taken TO the residence of the owner of an ad-
joining plantation, medical aid Immediately
procured Mrs. MoCormicks wound dressed,
and everything done TO relieve her sufIerings.
Mr.. Murphy states that Mrs. McCormick's
wounds are OF n serious nature-too fearful
gashes in the head, inflicted by an axe, expos
ing the brain, also three stabs in the lett side
supposed to have been inflicted by cane
knife. Whea we left the plantation (ihree
O'Clock yesterday hlternoon) Mira. Mccormick
was still alive, but the attending physicians
had little hopes of her recovery
After having her wounds dressed and Darta-
king OF some little nourishmeht, Mrs. MeCor-
mick related the particulars Of the horrible
tragedy that had been enacted, when mum.
Der Of men residing in the neiehborhood
started out in pursuit of the murderers. One
Che who had donned Mr. McCormicks clothes)
they found an attentive listener in church.
and secured him; another was caught ON
Monday, and the other two on Tuesday morn
ing
The murderers were taken 10 Napoieonville
heavily ironed, and given in charge of the
military authorities, where they remained un-
til yesterday, when they were placed on the
Opelonsas Railroad aud reached here last
night, guarded by a squad Of United States
soldiers.
Our informant states that the excitement
among the people residing in the vicinity of
the murder was intense, The almost universal
expression being that the negroes should be
burned on the spot where they committed the
murder and inoendiarisni but. happily forthe
cause OF law and order, a calmer Judgment
obtained, and the miserable fends we're hand.
ed over to the military authorities, who will
most assuredly meie out TO them the punish
ment they so richly deserve, ID, 7
The negroes assign no cause for their hor.
rible deed, bat Mr. Murphy says the general
belief is that they supposed Mr. Mccormick
had n considerable sum OF money in the house,
possession Of which was the sole incentive 10
the murder gA. cI