Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-16
A Helen Jewett. Affair.

Kearney, a native OF Mount HQlly, N. D.
IT seems that on Friday last, about noon, the
deceased, with man, at the time unknown,
entered room which be had previously en-
gagged at house kept by Mrs. Laura Tyson,
on Eleventh street. The man opened the door
of the room and entered with bis companion,
without evincing anything extraordinary in bis
demeanor, and after remaining for an hour or
more, during which not the slightest noise was
heard. he made his exit, closing the door sharply
behind him. He was smoking a cigar at this
time which had apparently been lighted but a
moment, aud defending the staircase, accosted
the colored attendant as follows: "Whele is
your mistress-the lady Of the house? Iwish
to speak with her," This brought Mrs. Tyson
from her room, when the unknown man said:
" Mrs. Tyson, my lady friend has fallen asleep
in the room have taken. Please let her re-
main undisturbed until ! call again. l shall
not be gone great while"
He, then gave the lady of The house a sum of
money in payment for his lodgngand departed
In about an hour after the departure OF the
supposed murderer Mrs. Tyson was called up
stairs, and on her way up tried Che door of the
room alluded to, and after knocking and receiv-
ing no answer, thrust The door open. Mrs. Ty-
son observed that the room was very dark, and
that the shutters had been closed and locked
and the curtains drawn together so as to exclude
all light. She then opened the shutters and
approached the bed. She observed that the
sheets and clothing were stained with blood
and wrapped closely around an object in hu-
man form. Alarmed at this sight she called
fer help, and at once proceeded to unwrap the
body and unravel shocking mystery. In the
clothes she found the corpse Of the young wo-
man who had an hour before stepped into Der
premises the personiication of health and come
illness.
A cut was discovered in her throat about four
inches long, and extending upward toward the
right ear. 1t was opened to the width Of about
three inches, and presented shocking appear
ance. The carotid artery was severed, and The
blood gushed from it in torrents. The sheet
was one mass of blood where it rested in The
upper portion of the bed, and one pillow was
saturated and another much smeared with the
fluid 1t had penetrated through the bed and
on the carpet, making such pool as to show
that gallon at least had found its way there
Beneath a window which looks into the yard,
the surbase was smeared with blood The IN
dergarment she wore was also saturated, and
yet there was but The one wound to let out the
ile's blood of the miserable woman. 1t is the
impression Of the physicians and detectives that
an ordinary pocket knife had been used to per-
petrate the atrocious deed There was no wea-
pom of any kind found in the room, although
dligent search was made.
The victim was tall and well formed, with a
rather pleasing expression of face, so far as
could be seen, but she was by no means beauti-
full. Her dress consisted of black skirt, light
colored casimer sack with pearl buttons on it,
straw bonnet with green trimmings, aud gaiter
boots. There was about all an Appearance Of
neatness and cleanliness.
In the course Of Saturday the murdered wo-
man was identified as Mary Kearney, a woman
Of the town, who resided at No. 62l Cresson
street Immediately upon her Identification
there was some clue obtained to the murderer.
1t was known that she had been acquainted
with young fellow who had conceiyeda strong
attachment for her, and who had accompanied
her to the house Of Mrs. Tyson week or ten
days before the murder A portrait Of q man
was found in Mary Kcarney's trunk which was
identified as that of Newton Champion, former
ly an engineer in the United States Navy, about
20 years old, whose residence is at No. 1882
Ogden street. He was at once suspected, and
Che officers found him in bed, complaining of
being sick. 1t seems that he had fallen in a
swoon in front of house No. 1905 CallowhiIl
street, and been carried in and put b bed. As
he was apparently too sick to be removed, an
officer was left to prevent his escape A few
nuns uAlIt 44C NtthGl " OCA4l SldIlOl.
and was present at the coroners investigation.
and charged with the crime.
The coroners jury gave as their verdht that
Mary Kearney came to her death by sab in
the neck. inflicted by Newton Champion, 10
house on the northwest corner of Eleveuthstrcet
and Marks lane
The weapon with which the deed was COM
mitted was searched for both at The residence
Of the prisoner and at the house in Callowhil
street, but it could not be found. A pistol was
discovered under the pillow on the bed upon
which he was lying when arrested. The pris-
oner was committed to answer at court.
GENERAL LEE OFFERED THE COMMAND OF
THE FEDERAL ARMY BY Mr.. LINcoLX.-In a
letter published in the National Inteligencer,
the Hon. Montgomery Blair mentions the fol-
lowing circumstance in the history of General