The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-21

Murder ferocIous and revolving in ev-
cry detail, was committed near Bowie,
uL. about fifteen miles from this city,
or Saturday night. With a heavy club
John Berry, young negro, attacked two
helpless women who had fed and befriend-
81 him Miss Amanda Clark, fifty-siX
years Old. was beaten TO death, and, with
another foul crime as his object, the brute
iarHei on Miss Annie Clark. fOrty-one
years of age. sister of his other victim.
An gu-iu3! struggle ensued, which only
ended when the murderer and his victim
We're exhausted. Recovering, he sought
10 rob and burn the house, but was in
CgceI to desisJ by the pleadings ami
Promises OF protection by Miss Annie
Clark who was made TO swear upon
crucifx not to disclose the murderer's
name
Berry vas arrested, and confessed his
guilt 4 CoTOner's jury held him for the
Grand Jury Of Prince Georges County,
and be was lodged in Jail at Marlboro by
Sheriff Rob-y. Later he was driven 20
tls city and taken by train 10 Baltimore
10 Wgyen, lynching. Miss Annie Clark Is
i1 a most critical condition.
The scene of this awful crime was
farmhouse a hundred years old, two ana
half miles south of Bowie Station. II
is known as the Clark place. and COM
lE.~,s rs acres. most Of which has been
leased 20 tenants by the owners. The
Misses Clark have lived on the farm since
tae death Of their father, Joshua T. Clark,
fifteen years ago. They have kept d small
piece of ground near their home, which
has been cultivated for their own use.
The Clarks are an old and highly re-
sp-ctrd family. Joshua T. Clark having
held q number of State offices. For the
cultivation of their little truck garden
iAr two maiden ladies employed a boy.
ami TWO years ago they took from the
Maryland Stale Reformatory at Chef
l.naam, Prince Georges County, John
Berry. who had then been an inmate of
that institution for six years. He came
from Frederick. Md. and was committed
10 ,he rrtormatory on complaint of his
grandmother, who accused the boy OF in
'gr.g.ble thieyishness.
Attacked While at SuTper
When the darkness and rain Of Satur-
c-t night settled down about the Clark
iHWr the TWO sisters began TO prepare
lhrlr supper iu The kitchen IN the rear Of
'Lr house. This Iart of the building is
'a~-Euy high. with an attic. In the lat
To-. Berry slept Back Of the kitchen
GrEr .~ frame addition, used as Il sun
A.E Algavn. Wood, tools, and other odds
a.t ends II furniture are stored in this
Doom. In the kitchen where the sisters
"'.r abs ut 10 take their supper there
VAS wood stove. near the door to the
y-..f kitchen, aIu beside the stove was
a.r OF wood. ready TO replenish the
i.r Tie table was moved 10 the center
't ..- room, near the stove. and Annie
'.aIN -.t down with her back 10 Il and
,I .l. Huur .cadius 10 the outer kitchen.
A.r sister s.J beside her.
Neither could see the door leading to
I.' ".'.r kitchen. They mad no warning
o.. ..r IWou nrud. VINO was even then
Watching them. waiting for "a moment
WE. -. might cake them unaWaTes and
"''.D -l- foul purpose upon them. An
i.. CLARK heard the boys step behind her
,r BE-. entered from the outer kitchen,
..' '-."-hI nothing ot his approach, as
.. "n- a..astomod To sc about the house.
-''....f sister suspected BerTy's purpose
..t .- swung aloft a long oak stick
'.t "r.. snJ d down heavily upon Annie
'..fA head The blow knocked the wo-
'... i"m acr chair and Berry, frenzled
d. .- work. continued 10 bea; her.
A...a Clark rushed 10 her sisters res
'.. . l.r teud turned his murderOus
..-e-. .luu her. The club he bore was
'. "t.'. oak, tWo. and a half feet long.
81. -.ai one end there was a biz knot.
".- .-s formidable weapon he assault
O. aa.aHa Clark. bat she grappled with
A.. DO Was only after a struggle
...' ... .ratr shook ucr on and dealt her
81 ..." ".lh uis cligel that crushed IN her
tempt. and Ielled her 10 the ground, in
-.'I beyond human EelD With savage
'.--.'E De- beat the iuscnsate body as il
'. helpless before E,m. Neither the age
e.. -.- victim nor the years Of kindness
3d. bad known al her hand stayed his
tI-fa. wrath.
Terrible Struggle for Life.
ami. clark meanwhile recovered from
a .