Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-16
A DREAM
That Was not All q Dream, by Which IA
Murder was Detected.

New HAVEN, Nay 12.-The death at the
Wethersheld State prison yesterday, after
an incarceration OF twenty seven years. of
colored prisoner, Isaac Randolph, recalls the
Circumstance that the detection of his crime,
the murder of his wife, was due 10 dream
The murder was committed in this city in
May, 1856. Randolph, then about forty five
years of sge, lived with his wife in house
rented from William Tuitle at Washington
street and Howard avenue. Mrs. Randolph
was daughter of Robert Coe, who resided
near, in Putnam street. The couple had re-
moved 10 New Haven from Waterb bury short
ly before the tragedy, Randolph working al
his trade as a stone mason. He was man
of powerful frame and uncommon strength.
HIs wife, Mrs. Mary Aun Randolph, was
Jealous Of white girl named Lizzie Cos
rello, and this inside trouble between the
married couple. Quarrels OF a violent char
acter were frequent, Randolph on one occa-
sion, while living in Waterbury, putting a
rope around his wife's neck to strangle her.
but relenting in time to spare her life. This
was the state OF affairs, and on the lst of May
Mrs. Randolph called at the house of her
brother, George M. Coe, saying she was about
to cut rome greens for dinner, but must
hasten, as she had 10 do her washing at
home. None OF her relatives cav her alive
dAtcl hACC lhtST nADCOipQ
called al the house of his wife's mother cay
ing he wished they would send her home, as
be needed her services. He said that Mary
Ann had run away taking all her clothing.
The Coe family then visited Randolph's
house and found it deserted. There was an
appearance as though the bricks of the Gel
lar floor had been recently cleaned, but this
wss not deemed OF any come q uence in deter
mining what had become OF the missing
woman.
Randolph was arrested, however, on sus-
picion, but was discharged for want of evil
dence, Justice Bennett, who heard the known
facts, advising that he be kept under survell-
lance. George N. Coe, brother of Mrs E an
dolph, kept watch OF the house at nights,
and found that Randolph and the Costello
girl were often inside, drinking and laugh
ing together. In July Mr.. Coe, the father of
the missing woman, had dream which he
could not forget. He appeared to be spear
ing eels in swamp In the rear of the Tuttle
house. This missing daughter came to him
with his shoes, telling him he would take
cold without them. In his dream he followed
her TO the barn, rear the house, and in a mo-
ment heard an agonizing cry. She then faded
from MS sight. In speaking Of this the old
man said: THAT means that my daughter is
murdered and buried near the barn" Feel
ing sure of the Interpretation of his dream.
he the same night went to the spot and dug
in several places near the barn. Randolph
had at this time gone to Waterbury. Shortly
afterward George NJ. Coe, the woman;s
brother, concluded to dig up the whole
garden. Some objection was made by
futile, who did not want the trees and
shrubs disturbed, but Coe threatened to en-
ploy twenty men 10 dig if permission were
not given him. With long rod he sounded |
the earth in spots where it appeared soft to |
The depth of about three feet. Presently |
was reached that felt like cloth, |
and on excavating the earth the headless |
ruuk OF the missing woman was found. |
More digging brought to light the head. |