Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-23
A Terrible Tragedy in Roxbury

Tico Children Murdered IN Busseys
Woods-A Brother and Sister tie PIC
Tins Tie bodies Of both terribly mt
!, tilated,
E. One of the most terrible and revolving
crimes which has ever occurred in New
England was revealed in Roxbury late
yesterday afternoon. 1t is one of those
horrible double tragedies which sickens
the human heart and makes the blood
boil with voluntary desire TO inaict sum
mary vengeance upon the inhuman and
fendish perpetrators. 1t will be recol-
lected,as stated in the papers of last week,
that on Monday last two chidren-broth-
err and sister-named John Joyce and
Isabella Joyce, left their mothers house
to walk ont to Roxbury. Since that
time every effort, until yesterday, to learn
of their whereabouts, had been unsuc-
cessiuI, beyond the fact that man in
Roxbury saw two children answering
their description, on the day of their dis
appearance, wandering in the direction
of Dorchester.
The mystery was solved yesterday,
however, by the discovery of their lfe>
less bodies, bearing unmistakable eviden-
ces of a terrible outrage and murder
The discovery was purely accidental,
notwithstanding active n thorough
search was in progress to discover the
cause of their singular absence. Two
Boston merchants had gone to Roxbury
for recreation, and while strolling through
what is known as Bussey's woods, they
were suddenly startled by discovering
the murdered body Of the little girl Iss-
bella. They at once notified the city
authorities, who immediately proceeded
10 the scene Of the tragedy. The only
means by which the body could be iden-
tiled was the clothing. The features
which the little one resembled in life was
succeeded BY those of a terrible and pain
fUl death. Upon examination it was
discovered that she had been outraged
in fearful manner, and from the man.
ner in which her clothing Was torn it
WAS apparent that she had violently re-
sisted the assaults upon her until com
pletely overpowered. After completing
their terrible villainy the fends sought
to cover up the awful crime by another
scarcely less horrible. Murder followed,
and this was accomplished by beating
and stabbipg. As incredible as it may
seem, not less than sixteen stabs were
Inflicted upon her body, mostly in the
abdomen, any one of which was almost
sufficient TO cause instant death Coro-
ner Ira Allen ard DR.. Arnold were
called, and the Coroner took charge of
the body. The girl vas only IA years
of age, but was very fully developed, and
had the appearance of being scarcely
less than 10.
After the body had been identified as
that of Miss Joyce, and the circumstance
made known that her little brother John
ny was also missing, a search was i'm
mediately commenced TO ascertain what
had become of him. The fearful antici-
pations that he too had shared the same
fate Of his murdered sister were soon a
painful reality. After two OF three
hours searching, his dead body ws4
found only few rods from the spot
where bis sister had been outraged and
killed. lie was lying upon his face,
and death had 6een caused by several
stsSs inflicted with dirk or some SINH
lar instrument, in the small Of the back.
Appearances indicated that the wounds
were inflicted while he was running, and
it is reasonable to suppose that he was
being pursued or driven away by the
wretches against whom he was feebiy re-
sisting to save the life Of his sister. He
was twelve years of age, two years her
junior.
Near the scene of the diabolical crimes
were found several wresths of flowers
and evergreens, wrought with great care
and taste. They were apparently en-
gagged in this innocent and childish amuse-
ment when set upon by the brutal muir
derers. When they left home each had
ten cents, but only three cents was found
with them yesterday. They had proba-
oily spent the rest to pay their fare in the
horse cars.
The bodies Of both of the deceased are
nov in charge Of Coroner Allen, who
will hold an inquest at once. There is
OF course the most intense excitement in |
the vicinity where the brutal affair &C.
Cured, and mingled with the expressions
of vengeance upon the perpetrators of the
brutal crime there is also much sympathy
manifested for the beresved parents, who
live in Concord street in this city. That
such flends as perpetrated the horrible
deed exist in this community seems al.
most incredible, and it can but be the
hearty desire Of every good citizen that
they shall be speedily arrested and pun
ished. There is as yet not the slightest
clue to the authors of the brutal outrage.
but if the adsge is true that "murder will
out" it would seem almost impossible
that the wretches who perpetrated this
double crime should escape.-BoSton
Journal