Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-01-01
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

il was found to he the body Of Mrs. Martin
Payne, a resident OF that neighborbood. 4
jury of inquest was summoned by Justice II
N Harris, who after investigating the cas-
rendered a verdict that she came 10 her deatl
by the hand of some person TO the jury IN
known.
This verdict did not satisfy the people o
that vicinity, and application was made &c
Justice D. II. Bouic, of this place, for war
rant for the apprehension of her husband
Samuel Payne, and on Saturday he was ar.
rested by officer Miller and committed to Jail
for a preliminary examination on Wednesday
last On that day he was brought before JUS
tice Bouic, in the Court House, and number
of witnesses were examined. The facts proved
at this examination were about as follows:
On Christmas eve the deceased left home for
the purpose of visiting Rockville TO purchase
some articles FOR the family, and short time
after she left, her husband followed, overtaking
her near Ricketts, Crossing. They arrived in
town together aud remained here for some
hours visiting several stores and making some
purchases, after which they left on foot and
were afterwards seen together on the farm of
Mr.. James Shaw, and going in the direction
of the locality where the body was found.
Nothing more is definitely known of their
movements until about 8 o'clock that night
when Payne called at the house of Mr.. War
field, near Rock Greek, and asked for some
matches, stating that his wagon had broken
down, in which were his wife and daughter,
and that he wished to get light to find some
articles he had lost out of it. The matches
Afterwards he called at the house OF Mr.. Thos.
Clagett, accompanied by two dogs, and asked
for more matches stating that he was ont hunt
ing. After he had left some time, cries were
heard in the direction of the creek, but no at
teniion was paid to them.
The further movements of the couple are
not known until Payne arrived at home alone
about o'clock in the morning, and upon be-
ing questioned by the daughter of Mrs. Payne
in regard to the whereabouts of her mother,
he stated he had not seen her since he left
Rockville and did not know where she was
After being in the house for short time, he
requested the daughter 10 get him clean
shirt, which she did, and he put it on. The
entire bosom torn out and destroyed.
The daughter becoming alarmed at the alb
sente Of her mother, requested him to 90 and
look for her, aud after 1ongpersnasion he was
induced to go. After being absent for some time
he returned bringing with him basket and
some other articles. He stated to her that
her mother was sitting under tree on the
farm of Mr.. James Cashell, but he did not
know whether she was dead or alive, and was
afraid TO go near her. After remaining at
home short time, he again went out, and re-
turning, said TO her daughter, that her mother
was dead, and commenced crying. He after
wards went TO the houses OF Messrs. Belt,
Warfeld and Cashell and with them visited
the body, but protested to have no knowledge
MS 10 how she came 10 her death He was a
witness before The coroners jury and stated
under oath that he had no, seen her since be
left Rockville.
The body was removed TO Payne residence
which is on the farm of Hazel B. Cashell
Esq, by whom he was employed as farm
laborer. This is the same house formerly oc
| cupied by the negro Speaks, who was sea: to
the peni,entiary at the last Term of Court fol
asmurderous assault upon Mr.. Zadoc Magru
der, and in this house was found the watcl
Of Mr.. NJ after its occupation by Payne.
/ On Saturday it was determined to hold a
| post norton examination Of the body befor,
burial, and on Sunday that duty was perform
ed by Drs. Stonestreet and Magruder. TIL,
body of the poor, unfortunate woman Dor,
evidences of brutal treatment and was bruised
aud mntlated in shocking manner On on,
side of her head there was CHASTITY wount
which looked as if made with blow of the fis
or some blunt instrument, and upon the re
blood was found upon the skull bone. care
full examination of the skull failed to discove
any tacture although there were several sever
wounds upon the head. The skull bone wa
removed and the brain showed no evidences O
injury. Upon the side of the throat wcr
found evidences of choking the marks of fin
i ger-nails being deeply Embedded in the flesh
and the face presented swollen appearance
The lower limbs were very much bruised ant
scratched The physicians failed to discoye
any particular wound that would be necessa
rily fatal, but came to the conclusion that the,
were of such a character rs to cause insensi-
bility and render the person liable to die iron
exposure.
The evidence in the case pointed so strongl,
10 Payne as the murderer that he was com
mitted 10 answer the charge at the March Tern
Of the Circuit Court. The various statement
he has made since the occurrence have all bee
found to be false, and unless some new evi
deuee in his favor is found he will be yer,
likely to suffer the penalty of the law
tits not our duty and we have no inclina
ton to speak of the frailties of the dead wo
man, but il is generally known that she wa
in the habit of INDUCING in intoxicating Ii
quors to excess, and upon this occasion wa
under their influence. The two dogs that wer
with them remained by the side Of the corps
until morning-quiie in contrast 10 the othe
brute who left her there alone on that bleal
and cold December night Her clothing wa
torn into shreds and the ground showed mark
of Der having been dragged several huudre,
yards. She was in the 4lst year Of her age
and leaves four children by her first husband
who was named johnson.
The HOLIDAYS in this vicinity nassed off in