Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-16

Brown THE MURDERER OF DURK1N. The
editor Of of the CuIpeper Times visited Brown
in his cell and elected the following from him:
Nv proper name is Edward Brown, | au
about thirty-six years old, was born in Abe
marie county, Va, was slave up to the break
ing out of the war, belonged to Miss Sally Cole.
| worked for some time before the war for DIR.
Anderson, at his saw mill, near Charles City.
Went North after the war commenced, enlisted
10 the city of Phadelp hia as private soldier
in Col. Ames' Regiment, the 9th Pennsylva-
MIA, served between two and three years, was
shot through the hand at the battle below Pc
tersburg Was never drunkard. / would
always steal when slave. | was sentenced to
the penitentiary for five years for selling mule
that belonged to Tom Green, and made my es-
cape after one years confinement. AT the
same time escaped another coored convict
by the name of VIM. Nelson alias Frank Scott
also made his escape. We had no clothing but
the prison uniform. We bad consultation
and concluded to travel together, and have
clothes at any cost. We came to Cul pepper to-
gether and stopped with MIR. Marshall, near
Durkip's farm. Nelson persuaded me to kill
Durkin for his clothes. | went to the house,
found him sitting near the stove. | struck
him from behind on the head with large iron
pin; the blow Knocked him insenslblc, then
struck 1 him with the same instrument two or
three times more, took off his coat and put it
on, broke open and searched his trunk; found
five dollars which | also took. [ then left the
house, remained away about halt an hour; when
I went back found Durkin still alive but speech
less Struck him twice more with the iron
min aud left-he was not dead then. | was TO
meet Nelson by appointment at Mltchclls Sta
ton that night, but he did not meet me. For
some time before [ was arrested, was much
troubled: Durkin would come to me aud wake
me up when [ was sleeping. L had time to
make my escrpe from the State, but something
that can account for would not let me so.
I have not seen or heard of Nelson since the
murder. After my arrest and confinement IN
Jail, was very much troubled; every time |
would 20 to sleep Durkin would come and
wake me up. He did not look angry or sorry,
but looked perfectly natural but never spoke to
me. prayed after my confinement 10 God TO
forgive me. Often l have not closed my eyes
until the cock crowed the second time for day.
For some time | thought ''the Lord had gone
back on me-" but he didn't. Finally be came
to me and forgave me all my sins. [ did not
see him but felt something 10 my bosom that
told me he had. | am guilty OF murder and
wish to be hung. L never Killed any one else.
| pray constantly for Mr.. Durkin. | never was
in better spirits or 10 better health than l am
now; the only annoyance l have is that the
fatal day is so far off. [ believe that | will 60
right straight to heaven; have no fear of death
and would not exchange places wi anybody;
I feel that my salvation has been worke
through this last crime and all my sins are for
given together. ara not wrong in my head.
I never was sick but once 10 my life. All ask
is a little time to myself on the scafold. will
not make speech.
Brown conversed in perfectly naturaI mar
per and seemed to realize his condition. he
is altogether one of the most indifferent men
on earth. He is communicative and as merry
as lark; is rather bright looking man, does
not look at all british. He shows no indica-
ton of disease of the mind but to the contrary
talks sensibIy Cd all subjects but his religion,
and rather more fuently than most of his race.