Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-02
DOUBLE MURDER RECALLED.

AS was stated in the Gazette, John
Sears, negro was convicted OF muir
der in the first degree in the Mercer
county, \. j., court yesterday for
killing Rev. AMI l.. Armstrong at
Dutch Neck on the night before
last Thanksgiving Day. Mrs. Arm
strong was murdered at the same
time
Rev. AMI /. Armstrong and his
wife lived on small farm just out
side OF Dutch Neck. The minister was
almost 50 years old and was known
throughout that section for his kind
ness and charity. Mrs. Armstrong,
who was about half her husbands age
and his second wife, was woman of
kindly disposition and loved by all who
lived in the vicinity OF the Armstrong
home.
When the minister married the
sc :ond time Sears and his mother.
r lchcl Sears, we're taken into the
household. They had previously
be9n employed by the brides parents.
The Sears woman did some house
work and the boy was brought up
like member of the family. He
was almost white. He seemed to have
much affection for the minister and
his wife until he grew to manhood,
associated with the whites as much as
possible and passed as white man,
becoming furious if anyone lntimated
that he had any negro blood. lie
often talked about his white father
and boosted to his friends that some
dav he would inherit large sum OF
money. He had white sweetheart
in New Brunswick who thought him
an Indian.
Sears was asked to do little work by
the minister. He wore good clothes
and was allowed a liberal sum for
spending money. The minister looked
upon him as son, educated him and
fought his battles for him when he
was child.
According to his own admission
Sears had wished to get the aged MN
lister and bis wife out OF the way for
some time before the murder. Besides
expecting that their deaths would
result in his getting legacy from bis
white father, be anticipated that he
would be mentioned in the will of the
parson.
On Thanksgiving Eve Mr.. Arm
strong was in the library preparing
Thanksgiving sermon he had been
asked to preach in the old Dutch Neck
Church. Sears came from home attired
ia a new suit OF clothes. Mr.. Armstrong,
according TO Sears own story, asked
him to 90 to New Brunswick and
purchase food for the farm stock. The
negro declared that he had something
else to do, and protested. A quarrel
followed, Mrs. Armstrong interferred
and scolded Sears for bis disobedlence.
It is alleged that she called him 8
"nigger" and told him to do as he
was requested.
Sears, in his confession 10 County
Detective Kirkman, said that this made
him realize more than ever that he was
an outcast and he then resolved to rid
himself of what he thought the burden.
He went out, found shotgun and kill
ed the couple.
His mother confessed that she was
in her room just before the shooting,
| She said she was aroused by the bark
ing OF a pet dog and went downstairs
to investigate. She found her son
standing over the bodies with the shot
gun in his hands.
After Sears arrest he was taken to
the scene of the murder and confronted
with the bodies or his benefactor and
benefactress. He broke down COM
pletely, confessed and led the officers
to the spot where lie had buried q
watch he had stolen from Mr.. Arm
strong. Since his confinement in the
county Jail Sears made an endeavor tc
get the aid OF his wealthy white rsla
; tiYes.