The New York herald., 1869-03-06
NORTH CAROLINA.

| Another Homicide In wilkes Counfy-Iuhu-
man Murder Of a sister by n Brother,
Followed by the Murder Of the Mother, In
Which the Father and Husband Pnrtici-
pates-Jau Delivery In Buncombe-Escapc
oil the Notorious Colonel James Keith.
SALISBURY, March 8, 1seo.
From information received here a most unparal-
eled ana awless state OF affairs exists In the
ties OF Wilkes, Alexander and Buncombc, In the
mountain region to the west OF this Murders and
outrages Of most atrocious nature are of almost
daily occurrence and 1t would that the exist
ing civil authorities are poweriess to suppress this
fearful cpidemc OF crime.
on saturday last In wilkes county two desperate
characters respectively named Joshua steelman and
Larkln Lynch, while ut the house OF one Noah
Sprinkle. twelve miles east of wikesboro the county
seat, became involved In quarrel. which grew
violent and both were ordered out OF the house.
After leaving they had proceeded but short DIS
tance, si quarrelllng, when Steelman drew his ps-
tol and fired i've times successfully at Lynch. the
latter fighting desperately with such weapons as he
took effect IN the abdomen OF Lynch, one passing
entirely through him and the third entering The lett
lung coming out at the back. Lynch fell and Steel
soon after expired. Steelman made his escape.
This bloody tragedy. however. is far exceeded in
horror and barbarty by the inhuman ana dendish
murder OF sister by brother and afterwards the
murder OF the mother by the father and two sons OF
the same family. II seems that one OF the spurs
OF the Blue Ridge, called "Bushy Mountain near the
intersecting line OF the counties OF Wilkes and Alex
ander there lived religiousy anatical family, con-
sisting or James Land, his wife, daughter ana Two
sons. Reccntly-One day last week-from some
cause rs yet unexplained, quarrel arose between
deadly hatred. which made the gri leave the house
through fear, and 70 which she dd not return anti
about midnight Upon reaching the door . ana sar a..
brother with whom she had the quar-
was shot by him and instantly Killed. ms ~ not
the end Of it. Whatever demoniacal spirit could
have taken possession OF the ratrcide seems TO have
the father and mother, oil OF whom then collected
large pile WOOD which they nred ana upon which
they consumed the body OF the murdered sister until
not a yestige renamed TO testify TO the crime.
few DAYS afterwards the absence OF the sister being
discovered ana no satisfactory account being given
OF her by her relatives suspicion became excited and
soon evidence sufficient OF her brutal murder trans
pred to cause the arrest and confinement IN jail
Of all the remaining members z the family.
Tayiorsyille, In Alexander county, and on Friday
pQbt the father and two sons murdered the wife
and mother, thus adding another to the horrible
crimes already committed. Next morning, when
and stark and mutilltated In most revolving and
disgusting manner, the wretches, father and sons,
cooly confessed the murder a. well as the murder
OF the sister, and with the most shocking depravity
expressed regret for the perpetration OF their foul
deeds lt il believed they insane and for fear
another murder might be added to the list the father
was pla ed IN cell apart from The sons.
In nuncomos % county. on sunday, a. Ashcvle. the
which three white men and three negroes effected
their escape Among the white mon IN the notorious
Colonel James keith, Who was awaiting trial Cor tne