Danbury Times

Murder.

A horrid murder was committed last night, between nine and ten o'clock, at Butler's Tavern, about six miles east of this city on the National Road. At the supper table of Mr. Butler were a couple of travelers, one quite aged man, the other perhaps thirty-five, who had stopped, intending to remain all night. While they were eating a third person arrived, and took a glass of spirits at the bar. After supper he began a conversation with the elder traveller, by asking him where he was from. On receiving in reply "from France." he told him he was a liar and an impostor, and that he was an escaped convict from the Pennsylvania Penitentiary. He continued such abuse, till the old man complained to the landlord and had him turned out of the house. He in a few moments knocked at the door and asked for his cane, which was given him, and, as was thought, he went away. About nine o'clock the younger of the two travellers stepped out for a moment, and the voice of the fellow who had been ejected was heard in altercation with him. What passed is not known ; but the former was heard to say, "you are no gentleman, or you wouldn't insult an old man in that manner." They were at this time not far apart; and in a moment the landlord saw the blade of a dirk knife gleam in the moonlight, and heard the traveller who had stepped out, exclaim that he was "a murdered man!" The ruffian instantly escaped. The wounded man staggered towards the door, and fell across the sill. He was carried in and placed upon a pallet, but almost immediately expired.

Search was at once made for the murderer; but he was not apprehended till about sunrise this morning, when he was taken not far from the house by a couple of young men, one a son of Mr. Butler, who had been on the look out by Allum creek bridge all night. He was brought to this city, and committed for trial, in September next by Justice Wood.

The above are all the particulars that transpired at the magistrate's. The ruffian gave his name as Abraham Winner, and said he was a chair-maker by trade, and from Philadelphia. He inflicted two stabs with his knife, one in the breast, the other in the abdomen, either of which would have proved fatal. He refused to give any reason for committing the deed, and appeared quite unconcerned about the matter.—Columbus Register.