Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-11-06
had been murdered, and then they.
were put to death in the most cruel

had been murdered. and then they
were put to death in the most cruel
manner
The youngest, Richard, aged two
, and a-half years, was thrown into tho
water, alive. Laura jumped in and
attempted to rescue him, and whilst
in the water waist deep, begging for
mercy, she was knocked on the head
with the butt-cnd of gun, entirely
separating her forehead and then
stabbed in the side. Katc Ida,
eleven years of age, ,Fwas then dis
posed of. She was beaten with guns
until her head and shoulders wcro
perfectly soft; her body was bruised
all over. Caroline, seven years OF
age, was shot through the head. and
SO disfigurcd that she did not look
like n human. After they had mur-
dered them all and thrown their
bodies into the river they returned to
the house, taking everything valuable
and all the clothing they could carry.
They then started for Island No.
10, thinking or Knowing they would
be protected if they reached there In
safety. While they were killing the
children man by the name of Ev-
crctt came up; lie asked them what
they meant, when they commenced
firing on him and he narrowly escaped
with his life he started immediately
to alarm the neighborhood. There
happened to be n Federal cavalry
force from Columbus, kentucky, con-
scripting the negroes in the cavalry,
and on their being informed, they im-
mediately started in pursuit and over
took them near the island and arrested
all except those who escaped, but
they were afterwards captured. Ten
of them were taken to Columbus,
when they were tried, six sentenced,
and it is said, even hung, the others
with the exception of one sentenced
to the penitentiary for life. One was
left unpunished. The cause the Fed
erals had for showing so much leni-
cncy to that one was, he acEnowI-
edged he threw the youngest child in
the river, but said he did not want to
kill any of them, hut he was threat
cncd by others, that if he did not obey
Guynne's and Capt. Thomas orders
hc,would meet with the same fate. us
those children. Iknow there is n just
God above, and that they will have
justice mccted out to them in his own
good time in the next world if not in
this. have three children left and
now living at home; various threats
were made against my life if came
home, but l came, and l could not
tell the number of times the Fcdcrnls
searched my house, both night and
day.
reported to the authorities Mt No.
10, but it did 10 good l saw that
the lieutenant who arrested the ne
groes was wearing my husbands
watch. have been robbed five times
since the murder of my family, and
if this war continues much longer L
negroes that murdered my family arc
strange negroes, trained by Union
soldiers to commit such deeds. The
New Albany Ledger gave an account
of the murder, and said it was more
than likely it was all n hoax, and if it
was so the rebellion was the cause OF
it. My father-in-Iaw's brother was
the first man murdered Mt the timeof
John Browns inSurrcctiOn at IIar-
per's Ferry. | wonder what was the
cause of that?
One of the negroes concerned in
the murder of my family was noted
corporal. In November was Mt my
brothers when three white Union sol
diers from the island, came to search.
They cursed me, and said 1 was n
damned old fool; and other words too
foul to mention. One drew his gun
on me, and threatened to shoot me.
wcnt-immcdiatcly to the island, and
told Captain Benton one of his men
threatened my life. He said he would
punish him. Two weeks later the
same man came back and told me that
1 told the bIackest lies woman. ever
told.
Ireceived note from headquarters
to pay woman $40 Immediately, or
l would be severely punished. Tho
woman had no claim. on me whatever.
I refused to pay the sum, and the
commander then on the island being
ordered away, prevented me from
paying itor receiving the punishment.
Under such circumstances I have
lived alone with the exception OF thrce
small children. / have resolved to
have monument placed over my hus-
bands grave if I live, to show how
he went, then il the threats that are
made against me are executed and I
am not spared, L cali upon the 8Iasons
to see that it is done. Enough is left
that an army can't destroy to have it
done. have no earthly assurance
when I retire at night, that 1 will be
alive in the morning. look alone to
Providence for protection It seems
as if his plying love was lowering
over us even in that dark hour, for
the bodies of all of them were re-
covered from the mighty Mississippi
for many to see in what cruel man
ner they were killed. I lave been
taught from infancy to believe that
God was good and just, and I think
those fiends who caused those igno-
rant negroes to commit that horrible
deed will meet their just punishment
in the next if not in this world. !. Ny
happiness is gone forever in, this
world. but have been educated with
homes that travel hcyOnd II and I