Evening journal., 1889-12-31
| STABBED In THE THROAT.
FOUL MURDER OF A coLORED
MlSER NEAR BLAcKBlRo.
killed in His Hutand Robbed of Money
Belt containing over ssOO-Rats Gnaw
his Hands and Feet-No Clue TO the

Bett containing over &0OV-hehts OhaW |
his Hands and Feet-No Clue TO the
Murderer.
Special Correspondence EVENING JOURNAL
BLAcKBIRD, Dec. 81, Alexander Balm
ard. the old colored man who was found
dead in his hut near here on Saturday
evening, was toully mu rdered.
Coroner Gamble arrived here yesterday
morning, and his investigation ald in
quest shows that IL was one Of the most
dastardly and horrible murders that has
been committed in this county for a
number of years. The hut in which
Barnard was found dead in little log
cabin in which he lived alone, in tract
of wood land on the farm of Vincent o.
Hill, proprietor of the Blackbird Hotel
nearly three miles south Of Blackbird
station, on the Delaware Division of the
p, w. & B. railroad.
The hut is so low that man can
hardly stand upright in It aud the
chinks between the logs are caulked
with mud. 1t has no window, but a
square opening in the side served the
purpose, covered at night with wooden
| shutter.
Baiuard was about 60 years Of age, he
was farm hand. and by thrift and
economy had saved considerable money,
which he carried in a leather belt around
| $500 and $400. He has fire.
state that the amount 1t contained was as
above. Bainard's belt and the money
it contained were missing when he was
found, and the people of this vicinity
have no doubt but that he was murdered
for the sake Of his hard earned savings.
Barnard was last seen alive early last
week before Christmas Day. He was
missed from his accustomed haunts on
| Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Some
person passing his hut on Christmas
! morning saw the door open. After that
nothing was seen OF heard of him until
Saturday evening. when he was found
dead. IL is believed that he was murdered
on Christmas night, as the condition Of
the body indicated that life had been
extinct for several days.
Bainard's disappearance finally excited
interest. Just before sunset on Satur-
day afternoon last Washington Small
wood, boy employed by Vincent O. Hill,
went to Bainard's house to see if he was
sick He found the hut shut up and
blood smeared on the door, The boy re-
turned to Mr. Hill. who with his brother,
1 OtOlBt W. oHldllW0out Ddmuel
S. Bennett and others went
at once to the cabin. On
the door step Bainards cap was found
The door-sill was smeared with blood,
and the door was locked on the outside
with railroad switch paddock
The shutter of the window
was propped up with fence
rail- There were evidences of a
struggle in front of the cabin.
The door of the cabin was burst In and
an examination was made by the light of
a lantern that disclosed horrible sight.
The body was lying on the floor face
downwards With the feet close to and
almost touching the door. Near it was
found bloody stick. The body was
turned over. The hands and feet had
been gnawed by rats, and the fingers of
one hand were stripped OF flesh to the
bone. His nose had been eaten off, and
the top of his head, which was bald, was
eaten away to the bone,
The floor was covered with blood, which
had flowed from the death wound, fear
ful stab in the throat, Just over the left
side of the collar bone, downward
toward the heart. There was also
an ugly bruise on The head The cabin
was full of dirt and the odor was sicken-
ing. An examination was made of the
body and small purse containing
80 cents found in one of
the pockets. The clothing was
from the trousers at the back and the
money belt gone
Everything indicated that the man had
been murdered in the foulest
manner. He had either been stab
bed in front of the cabin.
the body dragged inside and the paddock
snapped on the door, or he had been
struck down witha blow from the bloody
stick, dragged inside and on regaining
his senses stabbed in the throat.
The body was left as found and the
coroner notified AS no trains run on
the Delaware Division on Sunday, he
could not 60 to the scene Of
the murder until yesterday morn
ing. A complete search of the
murdered mans cl)thing was made and
two silver farthings found On making
a second search $50 was found in a hip
pocket sewed on the inside Of the victims
drawers. 1t was afterwards learned that
Barnard always had such pockets sewed
on his underclothing.
The coroner's jury rendered verdict
that Barnard was killed by a stab infic-
ted by some person or persons unknown.
After the inquest, number of colored
people. who had gathered, wanted to
wash the body with some water which
they had heated over the fire Coroner
Gamble declined TO allow it on account Of
lack of time. and had the body removed
to the morgue in Wilmington, where 1t
now lies. 1t will be buried tomorrow.
Barnard has no relatives in this
locality. Two strange men were
seen about Blackbird about two
weeks ago. Two strange men we're
also seen at Blackbird station yester.
day morning and some suspicious con
versation overheard One Of the men
went sonthward on the train the coroner
came on. 1t is said that one George
Davis has stated that he could locate the
man who committed the murder.
The idea of a suicide is secuted The
locked door with the paddock outside and
the loss Of the money belt Indicate MUIR
der, without doubt A thorough in
yestigation will be made Of the case.
Kings Daughters Tea.
4 fl,1