Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-06-15
DOUBLE CRIME OF RAPE AND MURDER


EN- Z. II. 1 Cusg4sa. Marshals.
DOUBLE CRIME OF RAPE AND MURDER
On Sunday, the 9th inst, there committed
in the adjoining county of Rockbridge, between
Fairfield and Midway one Of those crimes which
testify to the existence of fends in human form,
and which curdle the blood that flows in our
veins-to w.t. The double crime of the rape and
murder of a respectable white girl by brutal
negro, name Jesse Edwards So far as weshave
been enabled to learn, the facts are about these:
The girl-Miss Susan Hite-started alone from
the residence of Mr.. VIM. A. Campbell, her
brother-in-law, with whom she was living, to at
tend preaching at asehool-house in the neighbor-
hood. She had not gone more than quarter or
half mile when she was SEIZED outraged and
murdered. The negro fend then concealed her
body in the brush till night, when he took horse
wrapped the corpse in blanket, carried it
between one and two miles and threw it into the
river where it was found in quitessshallow water
These are the facts, we learn as confessed by the
negro after his arrest He was imprisoned in the
jail in Lexington.
The report here at this time is, that on Friday
night last four men, who claimed to have another
one under arrest, called up the jaler, telling him
that they had prisoner to be put into jail-that
when the jailer appeared and opened the door
| for the admission of the prisoner brought, he was
| seized, his keys taken from him, and the negro,
| who had perpetrated the outrage and murder,
was taken from prison, carried some FIVE six
miles in the direction ofthe place where the deed
was committed, and hang upon tree.
THE CANTATA-"HAY-MAK
The Closing Concert of the Season, Of the
'sStaunton Musical Association" was held in the
Chapel of the Institution for the d. D. & Blind
on last Thursday night, before large and bril-
liant audience. The beautiful operate Cantata,
entitled the s'Haymakers," with instrumental ac-
compartment by the Orchestra, was rendered in a
highly creditable style. The participants APP
peared in appropriate costume. The lady singers
numbering about ffteen-were attired in calico
dresses, and wore large sundowns, with green
grass trimmings and the gentlemen (about the
same number) were dressed in linen coats and
pants, and straw hats-thus giving the perform
ance quite "Hay-making' appearance. DR..
Brown, Vocal Director, took the character Of the'
Farmer and managed the making of the hay
very successfully. The Orchestra, -Prof Z.
Louis Ide, director. performed several very beau
tful instrumental pieces, and accompanied the
singers in the choruses. Altogether, the concert
was highly entertaining and afforded most
pleasant evenings enjoyment. We were gratifed
to see such large turnout on this occasion, and
hope our citizens WILL whenever the opportunity
is afforded them, lend their countenance and sup
port to this organization. Many have expressed
the desire to have this rich musical entertain
ment repeated in which desire we cordially con-
cur.
CoLPoRTERs CoNvENTIoN.-Staunton is quite
favored this week in the matter of Conventions.
Besides the meeting of the Superintendent of
Lunatic Asyl ums, already noticed, we are inform
ed that Convention of the Colporters of the
American Tract Society laborng in this state
will be held in the Lutheran Church beginning
this Tuesday, evening. The sessions ofthis body
will be public, and will no doubt be interesting,
though the meeting is designed to promote &C
quaintance among the colporters themselves, and
to stimulate them in their labors, rather than to
make an impression upon outsiders.
As the American Tract Society has been very
| liberal in its grants to our people, and as our
/ county has been favored with the efficient labors
of Mr.. Fry, one of the Society's Colporters, and
as the Society is neither sectarian sectional,
| we have no doubt our citizens will cheerfuly re-
spond to the call made upon them to entertain
for day or two the Colporters, who may attend
this meeting.
| In accordance with the announcement, which
we published last week, the Pi, Alpha, Phi So
ciety of Staunton had their first annual celebra-
ton Friday evening last at the D. d. & B.
Institution We regret that we could not be
present, as we had desired and expected to be,
and are pleased to learn from those who had that
pleasure, that it passed off handsomely and that
each acquitted himself in a most credtabe man.
| ner.
| COL VIM Preston Johnston will deliver the
address to the young ladies Of the Augusta
| Female Seminary on Wednesday evening next.
| Col Johnston is the son of the lamented General
| Albert Sidney Johnston, who so nobly fell at
Shiloh; he was the aide to President Davis to the
close of the war; subsequently a practising law
yer in Louisville KY, and is now Professor Of
| History and Literature at Washington College
NEwsPAPoRIAL.-Mr Frank Smyth, former
| ly of the Petersburg Express and Richmond Er-
anainer, arrived in town last evening from New
York, and is stopping at the American Hotel
Mr.. Smyth is the agent of the New York Asso-
ciated Press, at the Virginia Springs and special
correspondent of the New York World for the
State of Virginia.
-------. .. ---
On the 9th of July, the citizens of Page coun-
ty will vote upon the proposition to subscribe the
sum of 100000 to the stock of the Railroad COM
pany which proposes to build railroad along
the Shenandoah river, through what is known as
the Page Valley.
Rev. DR.. Young will deliver a temperance ad-
dress at Greenville on Thursday, at II o'clock.
There will be picnic, procession, &c.
AT the Boards of Registration in this place on
yesterday first day Of registration 76 persons
registered-50 whites and 26 colored.
Wells declined meeting Shelton F. Leake in
discussion at Charlottesville.