The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-06
A BLOODY EPISODE.
A DIREFUL HISTORY.

1909, gentleman by the name of DIR. Charles
Lewis, with his family, moved from Vir-
ginia and settled on military tract of land
on the Ohio river, some five or six miles
above the town of Smithland, in Living
ston county. His family consisted OF his
wife, three sons, Lilburne, Charles and
Isham, two daughters, and some ten or more
slaves. That part OF the county was then a
wild, and its population sparse. The Doctor
selected the place to build, cleared away the
forest, and erected log cabins for
the whites and blacks of the
family, opened up farm, put it
in cultivation and gave his residence the
name of Rocky Hill. His eldest son, Lii
burne, was also a married man, he and his
wife residing in his fathers family at Rocky
Hill. In 1907 the Doctors lady died; soon
after her death Mrs. Lilburne Lewis also
died; they were buried at Rocky Hill their
graves were inclosed by post and rail
fence. The whole of the white family in
their intercourse with the inhabitants had
made the impression that, in pointof literary
attainments, elegance of manners and ac-
complished demeanor, they had no equals in
the county, and had occupied as high posi-
ton and as great social advantages as any in
their native State. 1t was thought, however,
that the slaves were treated with cruel Sc
verify. In 1909 Lilburne Was married to
young lady of the county, Miss Lettie Rut-
ter, her family of high standing, and herself
reputed faultless in form and beauty and of
prepossessing accomplishments. The Doc
tor about that time left Rocky Hill with his
daughter, and went to Salem, or that neigh
borhood, leaving the farm and most of the
slaves with his three sons, Lilburne having
taken his bride there. 1t was soon reported
that the marriage turned out to be an I'M
happy one, Mrs. Lewis from some cause be-
coming extremely unhappy; it was suppos-
ed on recount of the barbarous treatment of
the slaves. In the year 1911 she gave birth
TO a son. On the 10th of December of that
year, she noticed unusual department and
private consultations between her husband
and his two brothers. George, a half-grown
boy, a waiter about the house, who
had repeatedly run away when whipped,
that evening was waiting on the table at
supper, and let some article of furniture fall
and break. Isham Lewis looked at the
other two brothers across the table with
significant nod, and said, THAT will do"
This was noticed by Mrs. Lewis. Immedi-
ately after the meal was over, it being dark,
the brothers left the house, repaired to one
of the negro cabins, had
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 explained to them by
Lilburne Lewis, to the effect that their DISC
bedient conduct had become 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 ak was brought in,
George tied and laid on the floor and one of
the negro men directed and 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 AK if he failed to
obey. The horror commenced when the first
blow severed hand, and the shrieks of the
victim reached the ears of Mrs. Lewis. She
became panic stricken with terror, until
her cries were heard by all in the house
where the murderous butchery was going
on. The amputation proceeded as directed;
each piece as severed was caught up and
thrown on the fire. Before life was extin-
guished 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 effect
ually. The door was then opened, and the
servants admonished that if any of them
should ever whisper what had taken place
they would be served in the same way.
About two o'clock the three brothers left
their way they were startled by what appear
ed to them to be 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
brothers, the judgment of God is upon us!"
This was the first shock of the great earth
quakes of 1911 and 1872 in the valley of the
Mississippi. They hurried to the house, and
found Mrs. Lewis lying on the floor stupefied
with terror. George, being house boy,was
soon missed by persons in the habit of visit
ing the family. Answers to inquiries about
him were not satisfactory. The other SER
wants when Intercepted expressed by looks
that were interpreted to mean that they
knew something that they would not tell.
Eventually, in month or so after, dog
was found gnawing
A HALF CONSUMED HUMAN FOOT
Near the premises. A gentleman by the
name of Josiah Hibbs, with others of the
neighbors, in the absence of the three broth
ers, searched the cabin where the tragedy
was committed and found the burnt bones
of human frame. The Lewises were ar
rested and gave bail for their appearance at
the ensuing term of the March Circuit
Court, at which Lilburne and Isham were
lnulcIou IOT In0 nuru0r OI george. In the
meantime the relations of Mrs. Lewis,
learning she was living in great fear for her
safety, went after her and took her and child
to her father. The two Lewises indicted
were. again allowed bail by the Court. 1t
seems shortly after Lilburne- and Charles
agreed to commit suicide within the enclo-
sure surrounding the graves of their mother
and Lilburne's first wife. On the 9th of
April following, Lilburne made his will, and
after disposing of his property, he made at
the end OF it the two following requests:
.,..s,,,-- nsri ROCKY HILL, April 9, 1872.
Mr.. Manuel NcC STnSg. -... i.sff
have falle victim to my beloved but crue.
Leutia. die IN the hope of being united with
my oJ1er wife in heaven. Take care of this will
and come here, that we may be decently buried.
Adieu, G. 3. L, L.
Within this enclosure myself aud brother re-
nueSI % he inferred N the same coffin