Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-16
DETECTED THROUGH A DREAM.
Death OF q Notable Convict in New
Haven After Twenty-seven Years.
lmprisOn ment.


NEW HAVEN, May 12.-The death at the
Wethersfield state prison yesterday, after an in
generation Of twenty-seven years. of q colored
prisoner. Isaac Randolph. recalls the circum-
stance that the detection Of his crime, the MUIR
der of his wife, was due to dream. The muir
der was committed in this city in MAY, 1856.
Randolph. then about d years of age. lived with
his wife in a house rented from William Tuttle.
at Washington street and Howard avenue
Mrs. Randolph was daughter of Robert Coe.
who resided near, in Putnam street. The couple
had removed to New Haven from Waterbury
shortly before the tragedy, Randolph working
at bis trade as stone mason. He was man
Of powerful frame and uncommon strength.
His wife, Mrs. Mary Ann Randolph was Jealous
OF white girl named Lizzie Costello, and this
made trouble between the married COUPLE
Quarrels of a violent character were frequent.
Randolph on one occasion, while living in Water
bury. putting 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
LIST Of May Mrs. Randolph called at the house of
her brother, George N. Coe, saying she was
about to cut some greens for dinner, but
must hasten, as she had to do her washing at
home. None of her relatives saw her alive az
terward. Three days later Randolph called at
the house OF his wifes mother, saying he wished
they would send her home as he needed her ser
vices. He said that Mary Ann had run away,
taking all her clothing. The Coe family then
visited Randolph'shouse and found 1t deserted
mere was an appearance as though the bricks
OF tne cellar floor had been recently cleaned,
but this was not deem I'd of any consequence In
determining what had become of the missing
woman.
Randolph was arrested, however, on suspicion,
but was discharged for want Of evidence, JUS
tce Bennett, who heard the known facts. aivis-
ing that he be kept under surveillance George
NJ COe, brother OF Mrs Randolph, kept watch Of
the house at nights, and found that Randolph
and the Costello girl were often inside, drinking
and laughing together. In July Mr.. Coe, the
which he could not forget. Heappeared to be
spearing eels in a 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. near the house, and in mo-
ment heard her utter an agonizlng cry
She then faded from his sight. in
speaking Of this the old man said: "That
dream means that my daughter is murdered
and buried near the farm" Feeling sure
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 woinan's brother, concluded
was made by futile, who did not want the
trees and shrubs disturbed, but Coe threatened
to employ 20 men to dig II permission were not
given him With long rod he sounded the
III III Spots Wnefe IL appeared SOFT TO the
depth Of about three feet Presently something
was reached that felt like cloth, and on exca-
waiting the earth the headess trunk of the miss
Ing woman was found. More digging brought
to light the head, readily recognizable. and In
other places other parts of her body were
found. The hands and feet were not discov-
cred; Randolph had burned them, intending to
dispose Of all the remains by fire. Finding 1t
not feasible, he had changed his method and
buried what had not been consumed
Randolph was arrested in Waterbury, and was
tried and convicted Of murder though denying
his guilt. He was sentenced to death. James
l: Reese, his counsel, IN asking for a commute
ton OF sentence, made use Of the argument
that Randolph was strong and good work.
man, and as the state prison was about to have
an addition built he could be utilized in tho
work. The legislature changed the sentence to
one OF imprisonment for life. While In iail. and
after the trial, Randolph made a confession,
saying that on returning to his home at mid
night he had dispute with his wife, who struck
him with poker. He had then choked her,
but without intending to take her life He said:
~ choked her longer than meant to; when l
loosened my grip on her neck found she was
dead. There was nothing for me to do except
to get rid Of the body" The case at the time
caused great excitement in New Haven Ran
dolph. while In prison. was set tasks which no
one but person Of great strength could per-
form, but for several years he had been almost
helpless from paralysis.