The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-21
A REVOLVING CRIME
Double Murder in Prince
George County.
TMin AnICC TIE NlHTIhHC
TWO LADIES THE VICTIMS
ONES BRAINS DASHED OUT,
OTHER FATALLY WOUNDED.
ASSAULT AT IAE SUPER TAELe
The Murderer a Negro Boy They Had Taken
from Reformatory and fmp'oysd.
The Negroes Horrible Cool
n SIS. In Baltimore jail.
Especial to Baltimore SUM

Especial to Baltimore SUM
Bowie, Md. March 19-,Iohn Berry. a
young negro, aged about nineteen years.
killed Miss Amanda Clark near Bowie,
in Prince George county. Saturday
night and at the same time beat into
insensibility and attempted TO outrage
Miss Annie Clark, Il younger sister t
the lady he killed. He also planned TO
set fire TO the house when the murder
was committed, but changed his mind.
and went for assistance, and subsequent
~ confessed to all the details cf the
shocking crime
The scene of the murdcc is about two
and half miles south of Bowie. and g
more lonesome spot could Ii Il we'll be
imagined. The Misses Clark lived alone
on farm on the road from Bowie to
" mite Marsh Church. Berry was secur-
ed by Miss Amanda Clark about two
years ago from Cheltenham Reformatory
School for Colored Boys and was en-
ployed to assist the two ladies about
their Homework No one can tell just
at what hour the young negro commenc-
ed the assault, but circumstances and
events place the hour at about I O'Clock
on Saturday evening.
In the kitchen, where the murder took
place. was found little table, on which
had been placed the evening meal. show
ing that the murderer made his
assault as the two ladies were at their
supper.
He struck Miss Annie on the head
with Il billet of wood two and half
feet long which had been cut for the
stove. The blow knocked her from her
chair to the floor.
Berry then attempted TO strike Miss
Amanda, but she for a time warded off
his blows. standing between him and
her fallen sister. Finally, however. he
succeeded in beating her. to the floor
when he struck her blow that scat
tered her brains and blood over the floor
and walls of the kitchen.
Fastening from the room, he made
hurried preparations for fight, return
ing though to the kitchen at cry from
Miss Annie who had in the meanwhile
revived, and striking her i'll the face with
Il billet of wood.
He then attempted TO outrage her: aud
her strength being exhausted, she prom
ised to give him hundred dollars and
never mention his name if he would
spare her. He made her swear this upon
n crucifix. and then left the house. jgons
for a doctor.
To the doctor and others whom he net
the negro stated that some one had .,ot-
ten into the house and almost killed the
ladies. Then returning to the house, lie
heard Miss Annie ask for priest. ID
was instantly off again to fetch him.
Cant. George w. Smith. Martin
Keough and Harry Keough, of Bowie,
arrived at the house about midnight.
They at once set to work to get at the
bottom of the crime and began - ply
Berry with questions. They soon had
him tangled mp, and Constable Norman
Porter placed him under arrest. They
took him to the bedside of Miss Annie
Clark and asked her if She identified
him. She waved her hand and said. Il
certainly do Take him away"
Sheriff Roby took the prisoner 10
Bowie. Just as they We're leaving the
house pair of bright handouts were
slipped over his wrists.
Al the sound Oh the click of the cuff
locks and the touch of the cold ste"l
Berry cringed and he then wanted TO
talk He said he was not at the house,
but had gone to a store for some quinine
and found the women on his return. He
added: when ! saw them all bloody |
tainted and took "A dose of qulnine TO
brace me mp" He denied having changed
his clothing. but Martin Keough made
a search for the cast-off suit and found
the blood-soaked garments in wooden
chest in summer kitchen. When shown
the clothes Berry shut up like clam.
Later however, the negro made full
confession, stating that the ladies scoid-
ed him for coming into the house with
muddy feet, and that they did not treat
him right otherwise, and that he had
been intending to do the deed for several
days.
Berry was taken to Upper Marlboro
on special train from Bowie about ,
O'Clock in the custody of Sheriff kohey.
The matter was kept so quiet that u
was not known until this evening 1t .,''D
o'clock. when the prisoner was put III
phaeton driven by William Ogle and Spe-
cial Officer George Il. Merrick and taken
to Washington and thence to jail in Bal
timore city for safe-keeping The sher-
iff decided upon this after consultation
with Judge George c. Merrick, as 1t
was feared he would be lynched tonight
or tomorrow night The prisoner reach
ed Baltimore over the Baltimore ana
nl,;n D,;l,oad ~ 1n.o0 n m