The Tarboro' southerner., 1871-03-23

MURDER AND SUICIDE--HoRRIBLE AT
FAIR NEAR ROCKY MouNT--A MAN MUIR
DERs HIS PARAMoUR AND DESTROYS HIM
sELF.--On Sunday night last a dreadful
occurrence took place in the vicinity of
Rocky Mount.
The facts, so far as we have been able to
ascertain from a reliable source, are as
follows:
This bloody affair in which two human
beings were usheled into eternity happen
ed atthe " Half Way House equidistance
between Rocky Mount and the Falls.
One Bill Baker, col, recently from Tar
boro came to Rocky Mount about three
weeks since and opened a retail liquor
shop, at said "Half Way House," and took
there with him as his companion and con-
cuobine, one Betsy Jane Moore--indicted
at the last term of the Superior Court for
Vagrancy.
On Saturday last, these parties were
before S. Fountain, Esq, at Rocky Mount
for an assault and battery, and on account
of some informality in the paper the case
was discharged. Sheriff Petway then de-
mauded that this man Baker be bound
over to the next Term of our Court for re-
failing without License. Baker said he was
Agent for Jack Jones who had license to
retail at that place. The Justice gave him
four days to bring Jones forward, and have
this matter ended.
On Sunday this woman again came to
the Justice and demanded Il warrant, but
| from her statement he could see no cause
| for a warrant and hence declined to grant
| one but refl rrel her to the Town Censta.
BILE.
! This Half Way House is Immediately on
the road, and has been used as hqoar shOr
most of the time since its erection. About
| so Yards to the left and rear, is small
dwelling house occupied by some Of GTdt
| Aus stock. On Sunday night last this
woman Betsy Jane Moore, was in thlslast
mentioned house. About O'Clock Bill
| Baker went after her and took her to th(
! shop with him. Soon after they left, anC
went to the shop the parties Ill the dwell
! ling house, heard gun and soon Bill Ba
! ker returned, saying " il you want to SCI
Betsy any more you must go at once, 70
7 have Killed her" He then left tht
house with light and soon another gul
was heard, which it seems from appear
ances ended the earthly career Of thes
two unfortunate victims. The parties i
the dwelling house becoming frightened
left and nothing was heard by the publ
until about s. o'clock Monday morning
When this fact was announced, our lator
maut went to the scene OF action and
horrible sight presented itself. The Woma
was lying on her face in one corner Of til
room, with her clothes almost entirel
torn of Of her body, with stab few inch
es below her throat, and terrible gu
shot wound, little above and IN rear @
the heart: aboat three feet from this VIC
man Bill Baker was lying fiat Of his bach
with a gun shot wound Immediately undo
his throat and the balance of the load i
roof OF the house III position about pun
Dend;cular to his feet. His boots both o.
and the sock off his right foot, and
double gun living in few inches Of h
body pointing towards his head, betWee
him and BetsS Jane Moore, was 4 fou
ponnd weight rery bloody.
The conclusion IS that a f9ht took plac
between them soon alter they went in tn
shop and, that in this fight, her cloths
we're torn off~-and this four pound weigi
used. 1t is supposed her lead had bee
, ba iIv beaten with it. Then Baker in ht
rage drew his gun and Shot her, then SCI
ing his situation shot himself by discharE
| ing the gun with his right big toe.
Their bodies at last accounts rcmain2
? undisturbed awaiting the arrival of til
Coroner, who was dispatched for, but ha
not been heard from. 1t is understoC
that they have been living together, mo
of the time for two years, and that tho
2 have had frequent difficulties before, al
D that he had shot at her twice. piior to til
fatal shooting.
This Half Way House has been a pc
! to the Rocky Mount community since
has been occupied by this man Baker, il
> deed a regular Graf Al And while Il
= citizens OF that vicinity regret that SUI
y things should occur about there; yet
it must be done, two more tit subjec
: could not be picked out.