The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-20
Cass Natlock Hanged for Numbering
the Richardson Family.
A REVOLVING CRIME.
The Plumber Obtained Be-
trays the Assassin.
Discovery of the Victims Three
Weeks After Death.

family, for which Cass Mat,ock, a negro, was exc
cuted to-day, stands pre- eminent AZ the most
brutal and wanton butchery Of human beings
which has ever taken place in this State already
too well known abroad for the number OF crimes
perpetrated within its boundaries. On the morn
ing OF Monday, November "A, 1873 an emigrant
wagon, drawn by two black mules. two others
being led behind, containing George Madison Rich
ardson his family, consisting OF wife and infant
daughter, and his '.lttle all" in household goods,
followed by yellow dog, passed through this city,
route for the emigrants' FL Dorado the State OF
Texas. They lett their home in Gasconade county,
Missouri, during the first week of November; trav-
elled slowly down through Southern Missouri and
Northern Arkansas. On Friday, November q, they
stopped at q house eighteen miles from mere, on
the other side OF the river, remained there that
night and as it rained all day Saturday they re-
NAMED until Sunday; then started once more on
their weary Journey little thinking OF the late in
store for them. on Sunday night they camped out
and early on Monday morning passed on, crossing
the Arkansas River at this place near nine O'Clock.
Passing through the city they took the Hot Springs
road. About midday the same day, Monday, Novem-
Der a. they passed small grocery at the Russ place,
four miles out, ana must have arrived at Rock
Creek Ford. five miles from the city and the scene
OF the murder about halLpast twelve, probably
stopping TO water the mules and take their dinner.
After passing the store they were never again seen
alive by any one except the negro, Cass Matlock.
He passed the Brown place, three miles ont, on
foot, ten minutes after the emlgrants. On arriv-
ing at the grocery he was only five minutes; here
he stopped He remained at the store twenty
minutes and then walked on after his victims.
THE MURDER
About halEpast twelve horseman neared the
Rock Greek TOrd When about half an hours ride
from 1t ne heard shot. He thought nothing much
OF this, supposing it was some hunter. On arriv-
ing at the lord, at about one O'Clock, and crossing
over he saw q wagon. with TWO black mules
hitched to it, two others htched behind. standing
near the creek. No one was near. He rode on
and soon heard a wagon coming behind. He
stopped to adjust his saddle; the wagon also
stopped and the yellow dog came up to him. He
rode on the dog following HIM. Soon after the
wagon, which had started again soon as he did,
turned OF along byroad toward MatocK's place,
the dog now leaving the rider and following it. He
could not see whether the man driving was white
or black. The Richardson's were now thought by
all who had seen and cOnversed with them to be
safe in Texas. On December II q man was
walking towards Little Rock. On coming to
Rock Creek be turned down a stream to look
Tor foot log and about thirty steps from the
crossing discovered the body OF Richardson lying
in the water and lodged against sapnng. He
was shot through the head, the ball entering just
behind the base OF the brain and coming out be-
hind the lett ear He must have died instantly.
His pockets were turned inside out. Near the
body woman's shawl was found; little above
blanket, near the waters edge two bottles, one
containing medicine; shreds Of clothing and q
child's apron were also found near the body. The
man who first discovered the body then went for
neighbor, and both went back to the creek to con.
tnue the search. Further down the branch they
found the body OF Laura Ellen Richardson lying in
the water against some bushes. She had been
struck by club or stick across the lett eye crush
ing in the superorbital bone. Another large
DOWN to was sa sRu On 81 e ows
were bruises on the arms and neck, as
peared to have been in the water two or three
weeks. The two men now sent for the Coroner to
after the Coroner's arrival good way from the
other bodies; It had been killed by heavy blow,
ska u the bod after re- the
have been thrown into the creek by the murderer.
The bodies were brought into town and exposed
for identification, but nobody knew who they
were. The murder created an immense excite
ment in this city; crowds viewed the bodies and
excited groups discussed the latest bits Of evi
SUSPICION DIRECTED AGAINST MATLocK.
From certain crcumstantial evidence, which
Will appear further on, suspicion tell on the negro
Cass Matlock, who lived near the scene OF the
tragedy. His house was searched by Deputy Sheriff
innocence o At Matlock's place were FOUND lot Of
a wagon sheet, with words Wagon and mules for
sale written on 1t in pencil. small Photographic
the name William s. Byles." and had been taken
in Washington, Mo-; another had written under 1t
"Lucy FLANAGAN" also picture Of the muir.
found at Matlock's a certificate OF road over
seer, district No. II, in Missouri, made TO George
M. richardson, signed vasco Creide, dated March
u.s. 1871. Other articles found we're two loot rule,
bloodstainea; water keg, with initials G. }. X. cut
on one end; couple Of empty boxes, one marked
HOW MATLocK LIED TO HIS WIFE.
Matlock's wife testified as follows, and the way
she told her story showed she told the truth
Ny husband came home on Monday. November
"a, with the wagon, mules and other properly:
he told me he bought them; he had lett home that
morning about three O'Clock for town; he walked
IN, and had no team then; all the mules he had
that night wagon Jour mules lot q boxes
bedding and clothing; my TWO young sons were at
home when he came back he said, 81 have come,
and got team at ast; he SAID he bought the
whole lump In a trade; ne came Ia and ate his
supper; wanted to see the things; he said,
after supper he handed the things to me out OF the
wagon we took them into the house and exam
he saw sa ID e peope he
the lot OF wanted to take the cars ana sold all;
asked HIM II they took nothing; he said they took
TWO trunks; asked HIM about the yellow dog; he
SAID he bought that TOO; my husband never
kept any money at nome-always took Il TO town,
IL
the things or not; We went to bed that night
about ten; about this time saw him have large
roll OF money: since the time he brought the
things home he has acted as usual; gone to bed
regularly, and sleeps.
Alter giving the above testimony Matock's wife
was released; II was further elected tDat Matock
brought the wagon aud mules TO town on the 18th
OF December and that at his request they were
sold by an auctloneer Matock told him that lie
bought the Two black mules, the wagon, harness
and Two other mules Tor 5000.
THE YELLOW DOG WAS OFFERED FOR SALE
Identified by different parties as having been seen
liz Richardson's possession.
Matock however, made the following statement
to the Coroner jury, though informed by the Sheriff
and magistrate that he need not say anything II
he thought best.-I was al Fulton, Ark, in No
vember, about the LIST, looking out for q team.
There Hound a man moving from Texas to Mis-
souri, and agreed TO buy his mules and wagon. I
found tnat ! had not enough money with me to
pay Tor sending them on the cars to Little Rock,