The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-24
From The Mobile Tribune Of Sunday. !,


Our community was this morning startled BY
thereport that most horrible murder had been
committed near Battles Wharf yesterday morn
ing. Passengers by the steamer Annie, which ar
rived this morning, brought the particulars of the
terrible affair. The account which we have of
this deed stamp II as q most foul and unnatural
murder, amounting almost to butchery, the assas-
sin literally cutting his victim to pieces To Mr.,
John 4. Pagles, one of the coroner's Jury, we are
indebted for some information concerning this
affair. Yesterday morning. about "a O'Clock, Mr..
Louis Pass was repeatedly stabbed by one Benz
+. Coleman, boy In years, but hardened villain
in heart. Mr.. Joseph Nelson. an aged and respect
Cd gentleman, was also stabbed by the same par.
~. From evidence ELECTED at the trial it was
proven that no justiiable reason could be assigned
by the murderer but that, led on by drink and ia.
terrible deed.
Mr. Coleman, accompanied by friend, visited
the grocery store, two miles east OF Point Clear,
Kept by Mr.. Pass, highly esteemed and good
natured Spaniard, and called for liquor, which
was given him. They had been carousing ali
night at party. After they had been in the
grocery q few moments Coleman picked ouar-
rel with small boy, but was prevented from
striking him by M. Nelson, who kindly and re-
specially urged him to desist from cursing the
boy. Coleman angrily retorted. and bis friend
made use OF some angry epithet to Nelson, which
Nelson quickly resented. Pass, the proprietor
begged them TO cease the disturbance, and seeing
long-bladed knife in the hands Of Coleman
attempted TO take il from him, but he (Coleman)
wrenched his hand from the Spaniard's grasp
and repeatedly plunged the knife to the hlt in the
body OF the unfortunate man, almost severing his
left arm, gashing him entirely across the back
and plungiDg the blood-stained weapon deep into
the groin and then through the heart. Pass fell
upon the floor instantly dead, but the incarnate
hend, not yet satisfied and thirsting for more
blood, plunged his knife into the stomach of the
aged Nelson, cutting his entrails entirely out
Nelson VIII probably die tonight. He has a
large family dependent on him for support.
The murderer attempted to escape, but was
holly pursued by a brother of the deeeased
SpaDiard, and dreadng his fate il captured Sv hts
Infatuated pursuer, madly turned upon him. de.
termined TO sell.his life dearly. but changed his
mind and continued 10 fee. He was soon over
taken by a.coored boy and forced to surrender.
II was fortunate for him that there were no more
persons present, or probably Judge Lynch would
have been pre-eminent and held undisputed sway.
Parties who visited the scene OF slaughter few
moments after the occurrence say that the scene
OF ghastiiness and horror depicted 10 that little
room was horrible. Coagulaied blood on all sides
and the poor victims Of boys ungoverDable
passion-one cold In the embrace of DEATH and
the other quiyering with his deep mortal wound
Not far of. guarded by some negroes. was the
sleeping murderer, his garments despatched with
the crimson gore, his countenance distorted by
horrible dream, las he Afterwards stately which
haunted his restless slumbers. In that one hour
OF sleep he had lived over again the horrible brs1-
tai Tragedy he enacted in the morning. He was
awakened by one Of the citizens, who had been
drawn 10 the scene, and questioned as to his mo-
i've IN committing the fearful crime, but he pre-.
tended to have no recollection and no memory
Realizing at last his critical situation he threw his
hands TO his face and shed bitter tears, which, as
they coursed through his blood stained fingers
mingled with the hearts blood OF the Door Scaniard
with which his hands were dyed, exclainng, in