Reprint of Original Article
Covington Journal 24 Aug 1849 p. 2, col. 5.
Shocking Murder.
A most horrid murder was committed in this county [Boone] on Thursday night of last week [probably 16 August 1849], upon the body of Edwin, a negro man, belonging to Messrs. T. & B. Roberts, by Gabriel, a negro man, of Sebrun Brady's. It appears from the evidence adduced in the court of enquiry, on Tuesday, that an old grudge had existed between the two negroes for some time; and Gabriel had been often heard to say that he would kill the other.
On the night of the murder Gabriel started out from the kitchen, contrary to his usual custom, and Alice, Edwin's wife, (belonging to Mr. B.,) testified that soon after his departure she heard her husband cry out, as if badly hurt.
Edwin's dog soon after ran up to her and whined, as if in distress. She was then satisfied that foul work had been done, but was so much excited and weak from fear that she was unable to go to her husband's assistance. She returned to the kitchen, and in about three-quarters of an hour Gabriel returned. She told him that somebody had hurt Edwin, and he asked her who she thought had done it. She told him that none of them were too good to do it, and it was like to be him as anyone else.
Gabriel was arrested on suspicion and placed in jail. On Sunday evening he confessed the whole affair, to Messrs. Pope and Walton. He states that on Thursday evening he started to go to a neighbors, but had not proceeded far before he saw Edwin coming toward him, making hostile demonstrations. Gabriel retreated, but finding himself closely pursued, he turned and threw a stone, which struck Edwin on the head, knocking him down. He says that he then went up to him and tied his coat over his head to stop the flow of blood, and finding him dead, took the body on his shoulder and started off through the cornfield to conceal it.—On the way, stumbled and fell, and the body dropped to the ground; there he let it remain until morning, when he went and hid it in a pile of logs near by.
When the body was discovered, a small cord was found tied tightly around the neck, and quite embedded in the flesh.—Dr. Stevenson, who was summoned by the coroner to examine the corpse, states that this cord was tied tight enough 'to have produced strangulation.' The skull was not broken; but the scalp was loosened over half the entire surface of the skull.
Gabriel admits having a stone in his hand before he met Edwin; and says he only struck him one blow, and that on the back of the head; but denies using any other violence. The mouth of the corpse, however, appeared as if having received quite a severe blow.
Gabriel's confession, with the corroborating testimony of several witnesses before the court of enquiry, Messrs. Watts and Boyle, was sufficient for a committal, and he now lies in jail, awaiting his trial at the November court.
We forbear making any remarks on this gross outrage and violation of the laws of the land, and would advise our readers not to commit themselves with an opinion favorable or unfavorable to the negro, for it will be necessare to have a jury to try him, which it will be impossible to form if the people make up their minds on the case before the day of trial. [Burlington (Ky.) Advertiser.]
Slavery Documents