Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-11-26
THE MURDER or REV. AND MRS
ARMSTRONG.

THE MURDER or REV. AND MRS
ARMSTRONG.
A new sensation in the killing o.
Reverend and Mrs. Amzi l.. Arm
strong at Dutch Neck, n. j., by JOIN
Sears, the negro halt-breed whom they
had for years beiriended, was the ar
rest last night of the mother OF the
accused. who was taken TO the jail at
Trenton a. a material witness following
her confession yesterday afternoon
that she had knowledge OF the double
crime and had been lying to the
authorities in an effort to shield her
son.
Now that the son has confessed, the
mother is willing to tell all, even
though she will doubtless aid in send
ing him to the electric chair.
The old negress insists, as does her
son. that she had no part in the plan
ming Of the murder, and the authorl-
ties believe that in this respect she Is
telling the truth.
She saws the negro and the aged
preacher had a dispute Wednesday
afternoon, and the youth vowed ven
geance. She did not think, however,
that he would do anything so desperate
rs he did. neither did she have an idea
as to his plans until the minute h.
began firing on the defenseless couple.
Even then she believed that the killing
was the result OF passionate impulse
rather than Of deliberate planning. as
the son had confessed.
Once the killing had been done,
mother and son realized that the slayer
must act quickly and shIewdly if he
was 10 escape the consequences OF his
deed. The situation was discussed for
a few minutes, and it was decided that
flight woul be useless.
Then it was agreed that the murderer
should endeavor 20 prove all alibi, and
with that he made the trip to New
Brunswick planning TO throw the au-
thuritics off the track.
The old negtcss went upstairs in tho
house Of death and awaited the return
of her son, whereupon she and he were
TO arouse the neighborhood and spread
the report Of robbery and murder. She
admits now that the killings was done
about 6:45 O'Clock "Wednesday evening
and that her former story Of 10 O'Clock
and her yarn about hiding beneath her
bed for au hour was intended only to
deceive the police and shield her guilty
offspring.
It was generally known that until re-
Gently Sears had been highly regarded
by the aged preacher, who had often
promised to leave him money and other
property when he died.
OF late, however, the youth is said to
have been making exorbitant demands
on the old mans bounty and this led to
quarrelS.
Heavily chained and under strong
guard. the negro was spirited from
the jail and taken to the scene OF his
crime. There he showed his every
action and told how the murder was
committed.
He said he slipped into the house un-
noticed and made his way to the study,
where the aged preacher was reading.
He shot him down without warning.
The noise Of the shooting attracted
Mrs. Armst ong, who was in the dining
rnom, and she hurled q book at the
slayer Of her husband. Sears said he
then fired at her. Both Of the victims
are believed to have died instantly.
Sears then told the authorities that
he had hidden the gold watch which
he tore from the neck Of his first
victim in the woodshed near by, and
he was taken to the spot be had in
dicated, the timepiece being found.
Prior to the confession the prisoner
was inclined to be sullen and refused
to talk. Then he tried to establish an
aliLi but this failed, and when corner
ed he calmly acknowledged that he
had done the killing.
Sears, the offspring OF white man
and negress, was taken into the Arm
strong home, with his mother about
SO years ago, he being 3-months-old
infant at the time. He grew into
manhood on the farm and was given
employment there.
or late, it is said, he had brooded
over the fact that mixture OF blood
flowed in his veins aud he had taken q
great dislike to his aged mother. Mrs.
Armstrong, it is known, feared the
negro and always slept with revolver
under her pillow But when tho at
tack was made she had no opportunity
IN secure the weapon and, like her hus-