Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-18
A Murderer,s COME ssion.

MARLBORO, anu lue lrlii anu COuVlCllOI vi
Daniel Barber and William Pinkney, the
two colored murderers, has all along
attracted widespread interest, both in
Prince Georges county, Md, and dis
trict. The men have been sentenced to
be hanged ON June 80, and the execu-
ton will doubtless take place at that
time. Hitherto Pinkney has been sus-
tanned by the hope and belief that his
case would be taken to the Court OF
Appeals, and that he would either be
cleared or his sentence committed to
term of years. He has, therefore, pro-
tested his innocence to all who have
interviewed him, and has emphatically
denied any connection with the murder
other than helping Barber to put the
body in the well after the murder had
been committed. From the start he
has shown the most stolid Indifference,
and was neither moved by hearing the
sentence of death passed on him by
Judge Briscoe, nor by the reading OF
the death warrant by the sheriff. With
in the past few days, however, Pinkney
has realized that mis- end is sure, and he
has made full confession of his crime.
Pinkney. having been brought up un-
der Methodist influences, selected Rev.
n. n. Hall rs his spiritual adviser, and
in that capacity Mr.. Hall has visited
him since his conviction. From the
first Pinkney's advisers have labored
to convince him of the utter HOPELESS
ness of his case so far as this world is
concerned.
1t was a hard matter to carry the
conviction home to him that death was
inevitable, but since this truth had been
accepted the condemned man manifest
ed the deepest concern in regard to the
salvation of his soul. With respectful
attention, and at times emotion, he has
listened to the reading and exposition
of the Scriptures and prayers offered in
his behalf. Mr.. Hall has especially
urged Pinkney to make q full confess
sion of his crime. Sunday evening, for
the first time, Pinkney made Il partial
statement to Mr.. Hall and on Monday
made full confession. 1t has been
generally believed that both Pinkney
and Barber took an active hand in the
killing of Mr.. Bowie From Pinkney's
confession this would seem not to have
been the case.
In substance Pinkney's confession is
to the effect that he alone dealt the
blow that resulted in Mr.. Bowie's
death, and that Barber was not present
at the time, although the general plan
of killing Bowie had been arranged be-
tween them previously. Early in the
evening of the day on which the
crime had been committed Barber
and Pinkney had separated, the for
mer going to his work at Mr. Hills
place and the latter walking to the
barn, where he saw Mr.. Bowie. Be
fore separating Barber had said, II
must 60 and do my nights work, but if
YOU get q chance fix him." Pinkney,
in detailing the further movements,
said "When l started toward the
barn fully intended to kill Mr.. Bowie,
if | got chance, but he met me so
kindly that every such intention pass
ed out of my heart. Indeed never
had anything against Mr.. Bowie, and
it was only to please Barber that |
promised to help him get Bowie out Of
the way, so as to prevent him appear
ing against Barber at the next session
of the court. | helped Mr.. Bowie to
feed his sheep and was on my way
back with him to milk the cows, when
he stepped at the walnut tree and got
down from his horse. He took paper
ont of his pocket on which were names
of several men whom he intended to
summon as witnesses in the meat case
against Barber.
He asked me if / did not know some
thing of the stealing, and when / said
that did not he got very mad and call
ed me d-n liar and took out knife
and opened it and said: III cut your
throat if you don't tell me- backed
away, but he came after me with open
knife in his hand / stopped and pick
ed up stone and told him not to come
nearer, but he came on, and | struck
him with the stone. He dropped to the
ground and the knife fell from hishand. |
then struck him with stick, as he
lay on the ground. The stone and
stick were both under the tree, where
thew had been used in hulling walnuts.
carried the body to the ditch and hid
it, and then went over to Mr.. Hills to
tell Barber and get him to help me put
the body in the well. The killing was
done before sunset and we put the body
in the we'll about nine o'clock. Mr..
Bowie was certainly dead when we put
the body in the we'll" The most SEN
sational portion of Pinkney's confess
sion is the assertion he makes at the end.
"There were Others" he says, who
knew all about the plan to kill MIR.
Bowie" This assertion and state
ments in regard to it, not made public,
are being investigated, it is understood.
The RICHMOND TERMINAL REoR-
GANIzATIoN.-There was an unbound
ed rumor in Wall street yesterday Of
heavy Withdrawals of Richmond Ter
minal securities that had been deposit
ed with Drexel, Morgan & Co. under
the terms of their letter to the commit
tees representing holders of the securi-
ties. An examination of the list yes
terday showed that the aggregate of Sc
curities now on deposit with the firm
is ten per cent. larger than on May /.
In few cases Drexel, Morgan & Co.
have returned securities to depositors
who have found it necessary to ask for
them, because the receipts were not
available for their needs.
Crying Babies.
Some people do not love Them.
They should use the Gail Borden