New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-01

1t was S0Ou reported tnat the maria Y
turned out to be an unhappy one. Mrs
Lewis from some cause becoming cxtremel
unhappy, it was supposed on account of the
BARBAROUs TREATMENT OF THE SLAVES.
In the year 1871 she gave birth to son
On the 10th day of December Of that yea
she noticed unusual department and private
consultations between her husband and his
two brothers. George, half-grown boy. a
waiter about the house, who had repeated,
run away when whipped, that evening wa:
waiting On the table at supper, and let some
article of furniture fall and break. Ishan
Lewis looked at the other two brothers
across the table with significant nod ana
said, "That will do" This was noticed by
Mrs. Lewis.
Immediately after the meal was over. i,
being dark, the brclh hers left the house, re.
paired to one IF tine negro cabins, had a
large hickory log fire made, and summoned
George and all the rest of the slaves to that
cabin. When all were in the object was
effect that their disobedient conduct bad
been such that it had become
NECESSARY TO KILL ONE OF THEM
that the rest might know their fate unless
they acted better in the future; told what
George had done, and that they were going
to kill and burn him up. An axe was
brought in, George tied and laid on the
floor, and one Of: the negro men directed ant!
forced to chop Off each hand and each foot,
then each arm and leg half way to the elbow
and knee, and so on until the body was
reached. The brothers stood around with
pistols in hand to shoot the negro with the
axe If be failed to obey. The horror COM
menced when the first blow severed hand,
and the shrieks of the victim reached the
cars of Mrs. Lewis. She became panic
stricken with terror, until her cries were
heard by all in the house where the murder
GUS butchery was going on. The amputation
proceeded as directed; each piece as severed
was caught up and thrown on the fire.
Before life was extinguished the head was
chopped from the body: then it and body
committed to the flames. All remained in
the cabin until the entire mass appeared to
be consumed efectually. The door was
then opened, and the servants admonished
that ii any Of them should ever whisper
what had taken place, they should be served
In the same way.
About 2 o'clock the three brothers left the
cabin and started to the dwelling. On their
way they were startled by what appeared
to them to BIO the heavy sound Of distant
thunder. In an instant the earth beneath
their feet heaved and swelled, and shook
with such violence that the parties could
with difficulty keep from falling. Charles
cried out, "Oh, brothers, the Judgment OF
God is upon us!" This was the first shock
Of the great earthquakes of I'LL and 1912 in
the valley Of the Mississippi. They hurried
to the house, and found Mrs. Lewis on the
floor stupef1ed with terror.
George, being house-boy, was soon
missed by persons in the habit of visiting
the family. Answers to inquiries about
him were not satisfactory. The other SER
wants when Intercepted expressed by looks
that were interpreted t. mean that tlltr
knew something that they would not tell
Eventually, in month or 80 after, a ios
was found knawing
HALF-CoSsrMED H,x f.S FOOT
near the premises. a =. xtl-man Ivy tha
name OF Josiah IIibbs, with others Of the
neighbors, in the absence IF the three
brothers, searched the cabin where the trag-
edy was committed, and found tho burnt
bones Of a human frame. The Lewises
were arrested, and gave bail for their appear.
ance at tho ensuing term of the March
Circuit Court, at which Liburne and Isllau,
were indicted for the murder Of George. In
the mean time the relations Of Mrs. Lewis
learning she was living in great fear for her
to her father. The two Lewises indicted
were again allowed bail BY the Court. II
seems shortly after Llburne and Charles
agreed to commit suicide within the encle-
sure surrounding the graves Of their mother
and I.ilburne's fist wife. On the 9th ol
April following, Liburne made his will, and
after dispOsing of his property, he made at
the end Of it the two following requests:
Rocky HILL, April Q, 1912.
Mr.. Samuel NcCdnly:
have fallen victim to my beloved but
cruel Lettia. l die in the hope of being
united with my other wife in heaven. Take
care of this wild and come here, that we
may be decently buried. Adieu.
&. BIS LII.
Within this enclosure myself and brother
request to be inferred in the same coffin.
Rocky HILL, April 10, 1912.
My Beloved BUT CRUEL Lsr1rIA: Re-
ceive this as q pledge of my forgiveness t.
your connection. The day of Judgment is t.
come. I owe you no malice but die OF
account of your absence and my dear little
son James. Adieu, my love.
LILBURSE LEWIS.
A servant was Immediately despatched
with this will to Smithland, and delivered il
to Squire NcCanly, who on les reception
and reading the request to him, hastenet
with others of his friends to the plae<
designated, and found Lilburne dead within
the enclosure.
SHOT THROUGH THR HEART,
surrounded by pool of blood, and Charlie,
on the outside with two riAcs. He sal,
Lilburne had accidentally shot himself whil'
making preparations for the fulflllment o
their purpose for both to die at the sam,
time. That the sight of his brother strug
Cling In death had deferred him from hi
purpose. Llburne was buried beside hi
tirst wife. Isham was never heard of after
Charles but once, then among the troops a
the battle of New Orleans.
Their father, DR.. Charles Lewis, had ,
public sale, sold all his personal property
and went back to Virginia and died. HI
and his family when they came back t
the Indian Princess Pocahontas. Th'
doctor had been at one time very wealthy
entertaining q great deal Of company, sur
rounded by tho gay trappings Of opulenc,
and luxury, and associating with the mos
distinguished families aud personages in tina
refined State. Having met a reverse Of for
tune, and lost his property and his forme
position in the society in which he moved
he estranged himself from all he held so dear
and
SOUGHT OBsCCRITY
in the dark and gloomy haunts Of the then
lonely backwoods of Kentucky. 1t Is diff
cult to philosophize upon the events narrate
as to the death of George, and tho NOR
than savage feeling that prompted the aci
No MANILA OF any clira ara mora iustl