Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-02
The Rockville Murder
MRS. PAYEEs HUSBAND CHARGED WITH THE
HORRIBLE CRIME=RAYEE ARRRsrEp.

MIS-. PATNEs HUSBAND CHANGED WITH THE
HORRIBLE CRIME-PAYNK ARRESTED.
From the Rockville Sentinel we take the fol-
lowing additional particulars concerning the
supposed murder OF Mrs. Payne, by her hus-
band, on Christmas day. The body Of the muir
dered woman was found near the residence of
Mr.. James Csshell, in Montgomery county,
about i've miles from Rockville.
On Christmas eve the deceased left home for
the purpose Of visiting Rockville to purch sse
some articles for the family, and, a short time
after she left, her husband followed, overtakinz
town together and remained here for some
houre, visiting several stores and making soma
purchases, after which they left on foot ana
were Afterwards seen together on the farm Of
MI. James Shaw, and going in the direcf,on NJ
the locality where the body was fon;,d. Nothins
more Is definitely kDn",,ni W their moyements
all. o'clock that night, when Payne
---u at the house of Mr.. Warfeld, near Rock
his wagon had broken down, in which were his
wife and daughter, and that he wished 70 get
hight to find some articles he had lost out OF 1t.
The matches were furnished, and he took his
departure. Afterwards he called at the house
OF Mr.. Thomas Clsgett, accompanied by two
dogs, and asked for more matches, stating that
he was out hunting. After he had left some
time, cries we're heard in the direction Of the
creek, but no attention was paid to them.
The further movements of the couple are not
known until Payne arrived at no me alone about
Two O'Clock in the morning, aud upon being
questioned by the daughter of Mrs. PAYNE in
regard to the whereabouts of her mother, he
stated that 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 re-
quested the daughter to get him a clean Shirt
which she did, and he put 1t on. The one he
took OIL WAS afterwards found with the entire
bosom torn out and destroyed.
The daughter becoming alarmed at the Alb
sence OF her mother, requested him to 20 and
lock tor her, and after long persuasion he WAS
induced to go. After being absent for some time
he returned, bringing with him a basket aud
some other articles. He stated To her that her
mother was sitting under tree on the farm OF
nr. james Cashell, but he did not know whether
she wss dead or alive, and he was afraid to go
near her. After remaining at home a short
time he again went out, and returning, said to
her daughter that her mother was dead, and
commenced crying. He afterwards went 20 the
houses of Messrs. Belt, Wsrfed aud Cashell,
snd With them visited the body, but professed to
have no knowledge as to how she came to her
death He was witness before the cOrOner's
jury, and stated under oath that h g had not seen
her since he left Rockville.
On Saturday it was determined to hold a
post morteIa examination of the body before
burIal, ana on sunday that duty was performed
by Drs. Stonestreet and Msgruder. The body
Of the poor, unfortunate woman bore evidence
of brutal treatment, and was bruised and mutt
lated in a shocking manner. On one side of
her head there was CHASTITY wound, which
looked as If made with a blow Of the fist or some
blunt instrument, and upon the removal OF the
scalp a large clot of cosgulsted blood was found
upon the skull bone.
The physicians failed to discover any par
ticular wound that would be necessarily fatal,
but came to the conclusion that they were OF
such character as TO cause insenslbiity, and
render the person liable to die from exposure.
The two dogs that were with them remained
by the side OF the corpse until morning-guite
in contrast to the other brute, who left her
there alone, on that bleak and cold December
night. Her clothing was torn into shreds. and
the ground showed marks of her having bean
dragged several hundred yards. She was 10 the
forty first year of her age, and leaves four
children by her first husband, who was namsd
johnson.
The evidence in the case pointed so strongly
to Payne as the murderer, that he was com
mitted to ans aer the charge at the March term
OF the Circuit Court. The various state ents
he has made since the occurrence have all bean
found to be false, and unless some new evidence
in his favor Is found he will be very likely to
suffer the penalty of the law.