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

sons, Li!buruc having taken his bride there
1t was soon reported that the marriag,
turned out to be an unhappy one Mrs.
Lewis from some cause becoming extremel,
unhappy, 1t was supposed on account OF the
BARRARoUs TREATMENT OF The SLAVES
In the year 1911 she gave birth to a son.
On the 10th day Of December of that year
she noticed unusual department and private
consultations between her husband and his
two brothers. George, halfgrowu boy. q
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. I.hau
Lewis looked at the other two brothers
across the table with a significant nod and
said, That will do" This was noticed by
| Mrs. Lewis.
Immediately after the meal was over, il
being dark, the brothen left the house, re-
paired to one If the 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
explained to them by Lilbarne Lewis, to the
effect that their disnbedient conduct had
been such that it had become
NECESSARY TO KILL ONE OF THEM
that the rest might know their fate unless
George had done, and that they were going
to kill aud burn him up. An axe 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
axe if he failed to obey. The horror com
menced when the first blow severed a hand,
and the shrieks of the victim reached the
ears Of Mrs. Lewis. She became panic
stricken with terror, until her cries were
beard by all IA the house waCr" the murder
Gus butchery was going on. The amputation
proceeded as directed; each Iiecc as severed
was caught up and thrown on the fire.
Before life was extinguisted the head was
chopped from the body: then il and body
committed to the flames Ali remained in
the cabin Until tie entire mass appeared to
be consumed eiiectualiy. The door was
then opened, and The servants admonishcd
that If any OF them should ever whisper
what had taken place. they should be served
in the same way.
About 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 be the heavy sound of distant
their feet heaved aud swelled, and shook
with such violence that the parties could
with difficulty keep from falling. Charles
cried out, sob, brothers, the judgment of
God is upon us!' This was the first shock
OF the great earthquakes of 1911 and 1912 in
the valley Of the Mississippi They hurried
to the house, and found Mrs. Lewis on the
floor stupefied with terror.
George, being a 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 to mean that they
knew something that they would not tell.
Eventually, in a month Or so after, dog
was found knawing
HALE-COsSUMED HUMAN FOOT
near the premises. A gentleman by the
name Of Josiah Hibbs, with others of the
neighbors, in the absence Of the three
brothers, searched the cabin where the trag-
edy was committed, and found the burnt
bones of human frame. The Lewises
were arrested, and gave bail for their appear
ance at the ensuing term of the March
Circuit Court, at which Lilburne and Isham
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
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 encls-
sure surrounding the graves of their mother
and Lilburne's first wife. On the 9th off
April following, Liburne made his will, and,
alter dlsposng OF his property, he made at
the end Of It the two following requests:
Rocky HILL, April 9, 1912.
Mr.. Samuel McCanly:
have fallen a victim to NV beloved but
cruel Letitia. | 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 deeently buried. Adieu.
G. b. & IL.
Within this enclosure myself and brother
request to be inferred in the same coffin.
ROCKY HILL, April 10, 1912.
MY BELOVED But CRUEL LRTiTIA: Re-
ceive this as pledge Of my forgiveness to
your connection. The day of Judgment is to
come. l owe you no malice; but die on
account OF your absence and nv dear little
son James. Adieu, my love.
LILBuKNE LEWIS.
A servant was Immediately despatched
with this will to Smithland, and delivered it
to Squire McCanly, who on its reception
and reading the request to him, fastened
with Others of his friends to the place
designated, and found Liburne dead within
the enclosure.
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART,
surrounded by pool Of blood, and Charles
on the outside with two rifles. He said
Lilburne had accidentally shot himself while
making preparations for the iuiilimcnt of
their purpose for both to die at the same
time. That the sight os lis brother strliT-
Cling in death had deferred him from his
purpose. Lilburne was buried beside his
first wife. Isham was never heard Of after
Charles but once, then among tho troops at
the battle of New Orleans.
Their father, DR.. Charles Lewis, had !
public sale, sold all his personal property, |
and went back to Virginia aud died. He
and his family when they came back to
Kentucky claimed to be the descendants of
the Indian Princess PocahOntas. The
doctor had been at one time very wealthy,
entertaining q great deal Of company, sur
rounded BY the gay trappings of opulence
and luxury, and assocating with the most
distinguished families aud personages in that
refined State. Having met reverse Of for
tune, and lost his property and his former
position in the society in which he moved, |
he estranged himself from all be held so dear.
and
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