Year: 1873

LEoNARDTowN, st. Marys county, Md.,(


July II, 1873.


Imagine gallows standing against the massive
old brick wall OF Maryland court house, the yard
bounded on either side by cultivated feds, with
here and there cluster of trees shading the man.
sions OF the descendants of Baltimore and Calvert;
in front beautiful lawn, gradually sloping south
ward, studded with locust and oak, and overlook
ing the still waters OF a sinuous inlet OF the
Potomac; beyond, fertile meadows forest fringed,
the eye resting on sea OF green, and the reader
has some idea Of the scene which colored man
named Thomas Jackson saw to-day while standing
on the gallows trap awaiting the execution OF the
law for the murder Of white man named James
Sconeld on the night OF the 3d Of April last, at
Fairfield. In st. Marys county Maryland. To the
charge OF murder was also added arson, burglary,
robbery and larceny, q crime the like OF which
never before occurred in this community.


THE MURDERED NAN.


Fairfield is in the lower section Of the county.
Scofeld was merchant and the postmaster at the
place. He was about ffty.two years Of age, and,
though bearing somewhat eccentric character.
was regarded as an honest man and an excellent
citizen. He was also man OF pleasant address
and manners, and was possessed of respectable
share OF literary accomplishments. He had been
twice married, separating from his second wife
on account of incompatiDility OF temper.
Two years ago, In an alteration at
his store with a.negro man, lie killed him. He was
tried for the crime by the Circuit Court and
acquitted the homicide being regarded by the jury
as justHable. He continued to carry on his bust.
ness, and with all his reverscs and troubles, hav-
ing once been nearly ruined by fire and at another
time by tornado which destroyed the building
and his entire stock ofgoods, he had re-estabshed
his credit and trade, accommodating considerable
amount OF money, which he had at the time OF the
murder.


THE MURDER.


On the night OF the 80 OF April last the store was
entered the occupant foully murdered, the shelves
despoled OF the most valuable goods and the
building burned. On the night in question he was
seen at nine O'Clock, ana In three hours afterwards
there was nothing remaining OF him but his black
ened and charred bones The head was severed
from the body and entirely unrecognizabe. Full
details Of the horrible crime were first published In
the HERALD. The evidences OF 1t became more and
more apparent as the matter was Investigated.
The bolt IN the store door look was found turned
back ana the money drawer discovered empty,
some yards distant from the buildinQ. A large
reward was offered for the apprehension OF the
murderer or murderers. The COroner's inquest
failed to Ok the guilt upon any particular party or
to develop any material facts bearing upon the
crime which for weeks continued to be shroudcd
In mystery


SEARCH FOR THE MURDERER.


The Grand Jury for this circuit met the first Mon
day In May All the colored men living In the
neighborhood OF Fairfield and in that part OF the
county were summoned as witnesses drag net
was thrown out In the hope OF getting some
clue TO the sconeld murderer. colored
man named Cole, suspected OF having
murdered another colored man named Mason,
fourteen years ago, has been arrested and locked
up in the jail at this place. Grave suspicion also
rested upon him as being concerned In the crime
at Fairfield. Among the witnesses summoned was
Thomas Jackson, whose case Is another proof OF
the old adage, "Murder will QUIT jackson went
before the Grand Jury, where no was closely ex.
amned, and unwittingly told some things about
Cole which aroused the Suspicion OF the FORE
man, who, without betraying 1t, told jack
son to repain until the next day. as