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A HORRIBLE DEVELOPMENT.From the Delaware Gaz. April 17.The Murders in Sussex.—We stated briefly in our paper of Friday last, some circumstances respecting a most diabolical course of conduct which, for some years past, has been carried on in Sussex county, in this state, the evidences of which have just been brought to light; and promised in our next number to give further particulars.From our correspondent’s account, we gather the following particulars. About ten days previous to his writing, a tenant, (who lives on the farm where Patty Cannon and her son-in-law, the celebrated Joseph Johnson, negro tra der, lived for many years, in North west Fork Hundred, near the Maryland line,) was ploughing in the field, in a place generally covered with water, and where a heap of brush has been laying for years, when his horse sunk in a grave, and, on digging, he found a blue painted chest, about three feet long, and in it were fonnd the bones of a man. The news flew like wild fire, and people from many miles around visited the place; among whom it was universally agreed, that a negro trader from Georgia, named Bell or Miller, or perhaps both, had been murdered, by Johnson and his gang, a-bout ten or twelve years ago, and that the bones now discovered were those of one of them; as the man or men had been missed about that time, and the horse on which one of them rode was found at Patty Cannon’s, who laid claim to the animal, until a person from Maryland, who had lent the horse, came forward and claimed hisproperty; and she alleged, at the time. »t Bellthat Bell or Miller had sailed a short time previous, with a cargo of negroes for the south.Since that time he has not been heard of; and it is said that a few days before he was missed, he was heard to say, that he had with him fifteen thousand dollars, with which he purposed to purchase negroes. The supposition now is, that the knowledge of his having this money in his possession, formed the inducement to take his life; and that to cdnceal the body, it had been deposited in the place where the bones have been found.The excitement produced by this discovery, as may naturally be supposed, was very great in the neighbourhood; and, on the second instant, one of Johnson’s gang, named Cyrusof her own family.' Another place, a few feet distant, was then pointed out, when, upon digging a few feet, two oak boxes were found, each of which contained human bones. Those in one of them had been those of a person about seven years of age, which James said he saw Patty Cannon knock in the head with a billet of wood; and the other contained those of one whom he said they considered bad property—by which it is supposed was meant that he was free. As there was, at the time, much stir about the children, and there was no convenient opportunity to send them away, they were murdered to prevent discovery. On examining the scull bone of the largest child, it was discovered to have been broken, as described by James.This fellow, James, was raised by Patty Cannon, having been bound to her at the age of 7 years, and is said to havedone much mischief in his time for her and Johnson.Another witness by the name of Butler has already been secured; and it is thought that some others will be brought forward who are acquainted with the bloody deeds of Patty and Joe. This woman is now between 60 and 70 years of age, and looks more like a man than a woman; but old as she is, she is believed to be as heedless and heartless as the most abandoned wretch that breathes.As stated by us on Friday last, Patty Cannon had been lodged in the jail of Georgetown.—James and Butler were also placed there at the same time; and it is highly probable that ere this the trial has taken place, and the result of it will soon be known.James stated that he had not shown all the places where murdered bodies had been buried; and at the time of writing, our correspondent informs us the people were still digging.Joe Johnson, who is said to be residing, at this time, in Alabama, is stated to have been seen in this state in December or January last; and the probability is, that his business here was to do something at his old business of kidnapping. He was convicted of this crime some years since at Georgetown, and suffered the punishment of the lash and the pillory on account of it.—He is a man of some celebrity, having for many years, carried on the traffic of stealing and selling negroes, in which he was aided and instructed by the old hag, Patty Cannon, whose daughter he married, after she had lost a former husband on the gallows.He continued to reside near his tu toress until within a few years, when a reward of $500 was offered by Mr. Watson, mayor of Philadelphia, when having obtained information of the fact before any others in his neighbourhood, he suddenly decamped, and has since been very cautious in suflcring himself to be. seen in that part of the country.The former husband of Joe’s wife was hung for the murder of a negro trader, the plan for which is said to have been arranged at her mother’s house. |tFrom the circumstances which have ! already taken place, it would appear ' probable that such developements may | be expected to take place as will pre- | sent the wretched actors in the scenes: of blood which have taken place on' the border of our state in Sussex coun- ' ty, as successful rivals in depravity of 1 the infamous • Burke, whose bloody | deeds and recent execution in Scotland, have occupied so large a portion of the public prints.[From a Western paper.]Jl Strange “Cralure—A friend of mine, I Mr. Vance, travelling to Pittsburg, from one ' of the small towns not far distant, stopped to I see a friend, leaving bis horse hitched in the , I road, but found on his return, that he had lt;slipped his bridle.—On going in quest of him ' c he met a pedestrian on the road, of whom ! . he inquired if he had “seen a strange creature 11 with a saddle on,”—“Sure and I have,” was j i the reply.—“Where?”—“Just yonthcr!”— , J “Will you show me where?”—That I wull,” ! i said the man, approaching a small wood of young timber.—“And there he is, sure.”—Mr.V. looking up, replied, “I do not see him!” “Just com hare.”—“That’s a tortle, replied Mr. V. “not a horse.—“A horse! exclaimedson of Hibernia, with surprize “Surea horse is no strange erature, (pointing at it,) it has a saddle on, and you may bridle him, for I will not.”This anecdote was related by Mr. V. and it afforded a great deal of diversion—but he was so much quizzed about the strange erature afterwards, that he was glad to drop the annoying subject.James, who has resided in Maryland,was caught in this state, and brought | Mutability of Fortune.—The Newburyport before a justice of the peace at Sea- i Herald, says—The mutability of fortune is ford, and, on examination, stated that ,trikinB|y exemplified in the fact, that a oi-Jobtoon,Xb-ta, F. John- ; S3. SVKSC.'Svson, a«u Ola ratty Cannon, had shot years ago, carried a mortar hod at the build-the man while at supper in her house, ng of the brick house at the corner of Union and that he saw them all engaged in j al)d Green-atreets.carrying him in the chest and burying | Informtrs,_A ag0, a per3on whohim; and stated, moreover, that many travels the country to sell calico, c. wns others also had been killed, and that accosted by two men, a few miles from this he could show where they had been 1 to,yn. who became purchasers, Bnd having tamd. Tto Men..d citon, KUSScorciingly accompanied him to the they laid an information against him as anplaces which he pointed out, and made unlicensed hawker. The hawker, whenthe necessary search. In one place, a ,-rought be(orc the magistrate, produced hissjrd.0, .to, tm Jrf (to*. «y Ijhm. ipj-safs VUtSSZof a young child, the mother of which, It was agreed that the parties should pay lie stated, was a negro woman belong- the hawker a pound.—The latter professed •lt; ing to Patty Cannon, which, beinlt;r a a” unwillingness to take the pound, and pro-'rejHUto, .he todi kii.ed f„r sthat she supposed its father to he one shot out of the pound, and return them the ar
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Leesburg Genius of Liberty
Leesburg, Virginia, US
Sat, May 02, 1829
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