Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-11
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

The story OF daring and atroclous
crime reached Havre de Grace Thurs
day by letter from Hannibal, Mo-, ad
dressed to Mr.. w. J. Wilson, an uncle
of the victim. The story reads as fol.
lows:
"On the evening of December a ne
gro called at the house of MIR. Chris
Bapst, saying that he was very cold,
and asked if he might come in to warm
himself. Mr.. BapsJ gave consent, and
ne was admitted to the house, and
made as comfortable as possible. After
some time had elapsed Mr.. Bapst ask
cd the negro if he was not warm
enough, and if so to please 60 out, as be
(Mr. BapsD bad to feed his stock, and
his wife being delicate, did not wish to
be left with strangers.
"Mr. Bapst then went to the barn to
feed the stock aud was followed by
the negro, asking him for money. Mr.
Bapst replied tha' he did not
ave anything to 3 v away, having
need for all be had in Ills possrs
sion. Mr.. Baps5 then f the negro;
got some corn TO fe hog-, ". ico
were IN pen up the 70 Il NE "
from the barn. The st erro esiil f"il' "
ed, and fually called TO Mir. Bnps ,
Halt ard throw up your baucs, or
will shoot you
Mr.. B psf was surprised, but did a
directed. The tegro marched him
oack to the house. Mrs Bapst. seeing
toe negro with bis revolver pointed at
ner husbands head. ran TO the door,
when she too was menaced with pis-
tol. Mr.. Bapst and his wife were to-
sether marched up to the barn, when
the negro secured some binding twine,
,nd, compelling them to return again
10 the house with him, he made Mr..
Bapst lie down.
He then directed Mrs. Bapst to tie
her husbands hands and feet. After
his was done, he made an insolent
proposition 10 Mrs. Baps!. He then
turned to her husband, saying What
nave you to say about it, any way
Mr.. Baptist replied, L will be satisfied
if YOU will ouly spare our lives"
He The n turned to the wife and COM
manded her TO get supper, but after
he meal was prepared he would not
permit either of the parents or their
small children to partake Of ally, and
only drank some coffee himself. After
this he commanded Mrs. Bapst to help
nim to carry her busbaod into an ad-
joining room, and lay him on bed.
"He then ordered Mrs. Bapst to
comply with his wishes. She pleaded
for mercy, but the negro tire altered to
kill the entire family if she refused.
''She was then subjected to gross in
dgnities in the. presence of the hus-
oand, who, being bound, was unable to
render any assistance.
"When day came the negro arose
and left the house.
"Mrs. Bapst, more dead than alive.
ran across the fields to her brother's
house, where she swooned. Finally
she revived sufficiently to give the
alarm The brother secured q gun and
started to assist those of the other fami-
ly, but the negro, seeing him coming,
hid behind q large elm tree, and as
the brother came up rushed upon him
with revolver and told him to throw
up his hands, which he did. He was
marched back to his own home, the
negro saying, What must | do to
you? What ought l do to you?' AS
they drew near to tine house his wife
and the woman who bad been assault
ed, upon seeing the negro coming, ran
for their lives.
"The negro's attention having been
called. he turned to them, aud fired
three shots, none of them taking Ell &C..
By this time the brother had made
good lis escape. He ran into the
nouse, secured his gun and fred one
load at the negro, some of the shot
taking effect, striking him in the face,
aud tearing one ear nearly of. The
negro returned the shot, but, missing
bis mark, tore large hole in the wall.
The brother then fred again, this shot
taking effect, tearing hole in the ne
ero's body, large enough to get ones
fist in, and killing him instantly.
''By this time Mr.. Bapst had freed
himself from his bindings. He arose,
bolted the doors, and, securing gun,
started 10 pursuit, but met his brother,
saving, I have got him. They return
ed where the women were, and Mr..
Bapst found his wife in a critical con-
dItiop. owing to the torture she bad
undergone at the hands OF the black