The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-05-05
A TEXAS EPISODE.
Terrible Tragedy-Murder and A rs0n--
speedy PunlsIiment.
Coma nrhn Chinf

comanche Chief.
On Monday morning just before day,
we were aroused by loud cries of alarm.
We FASTENED from the office without hat
or coat and found the residence of Mr.. /.
j. Nabers wrapped in flames. There was
no hope Of saving the building, we could
only expect to save the household stuff.
We rushed into the rooms and began to
remove the furniture. Just then some
one cried ont Wake the boys" Sever
al FASTENED to their bedroom, and, as it
was dark, they caught the boys up and
were hurrying out. How can wejudge of
their horror when they found that they
held in their arms the disfgured bodies
of the murdered innocents.
They were borne past us. We turned
from the sight, sickened and horror
struck. 1t was the work Of fiend, who,
demon-like, first slaughtered two negro
girls with an axe, who were sleeping in
the kitchen. and then sought the chamber
Of the little slumberers, where, with the
same bloody axe, he inflicted deadly and
ghastly wounds. 1t twas impossible to re-
move the bodies Of the poor negroes. We
will not attempt to describe the excite
ment produced upon the hastily collected
crowd when the bodies of the two little
boys drenched in their own blood, were
placed. side by side, on the ground in full
glare of the burning Building. Their in
teligence, politeness and respectful de-
meanor had won for them the love of all
who knew them. But little was said. 1t
was no time for words. The heart
broken mother was quickly hurried away,
and a few moments after, We saw the
wretched father bending over the MUIR
dered boys. Stones might have wept at
such moving sight The strongest men
shed tears like children. The excitement
increased. The feeling of vengeance was
at work. Terrible frowns began to gath
er over the faces Of men used to danger.
THE fiend shall not escape us" was
whispered from man to man. Soon guns
and pistols were brought out, and, in
twenty minutes after, the house was
abandoned, and fifty men were on horses
in hot search for the murderer.
The news spread like wildfre By sun
rise more than a hundred men were
securing the prairies and woods. An
hour later and there were, perhaps, two
hundred men in the chase. About eleven
o'clock the murderer was found and
killed.
1t was the original intention to bring
him in alive, if possible. The parties
who found him Immediately proposed to
take him to town. He resolutely refused
aud moved his hand behind him, as if Ia
draw weapon. Knowing he was des-
perate, the young men became alarmed
and fired. He fell, and while dying, re-
quested them to shoot him again.
1t seems that Moses Jones, the murder
er, wished to marry his stepdaughter, and
said that she had promised to marry
him, and he intended to have her. He
had a rival in love and his wishes were
generally opposed by the negroes of the
community. The negro girl was staying
at the house of Mr. Nabers Moses
wanted to bring trouble upon the occu-
pants of this house, because he thought
Mrs. Nabers was opposed to the match.
He was mad with jealousy-entered the
honse, at about four o'clock, killed his
stepdaughter, Susan Callan, aged fourteen
and another negro named Julia Lockhart
who was sleeping with her He then
entered the boys room, and killed them
one with an axe and the other with 8
knife. He smeared lard about-it would
seem, as was found on the bloody axe
fired the house, cut the well rope, and
fled. He went to a negro's house, told
in part what he had done. His youngest
child was staying here. He attempted tc
get her out that he might kill her, as he
said He fled further on to the house o.
Mr.. Maberry and confessed all.
Altogether this is the most shocking af'
fair we have ever witnessed 1t is pain
ful task to 60 through the details.
We join the entire community in offer
ing our deepest sympathy to the unhappy
family, feeling, however, they must seeh
more solid comfort in this dark season Of
grief by applying to Him who is able t.
bind up the broken heart.