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Story
January 17, 1878
The Daily Gazette
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
On a South Carolina plantation, two men confessed to murdering Stephen Eneck, his wife, and trapping their two children in a house fire to cover a robbery. The house burned on Thursday, the 3rd instant.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Confession of A Horrible Crime.
On the night of Thursday, the 3d instant a house on the plantation of D. P. Sprawls, some three miles from Williston, S. C., was consumed by fire, together with the occupants, Stephen Eneck, his wife and two children. A few days since two colored men were arrested, and they confessed to a wanton crime. According to their statement the object of going to Stephen Eneck's house was to steal a sum of money which he was said to possess. Their first acts were to murder Stephen and his wife, after which they proceeded to ransack the house in their plundering scheme. This accomplished, they returned to their victims and covered them with bedclothes saturated with turpentine. After firing this mass they locked up within the house an infant and a little child to perish by the flames.
On the night of Thursday, the 3d instant a house on the plantation of D. P. Sprawls, some three miles from Williston, S. C., was consumed by fire, together with the occupants, Stephen Eneck, his wife and two children. A few days since two colored men were arrested, and they confessed to a wanton crime. According to their statement the object of going to Stephen Eneck's house was to steal a sum of money which he was said to possess. Their first acts were to murder Stephen and his wife, after which they proceeded to ransack the house in their plundering scheme. This accomplished, they returned to their victims and covered them with bedclothes saturated with turpentine. After firing this mass they locked up within the house an infant and a little child to perish by the flames.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Murder
Arson
Confession
Theft
Family Killing
What entities or persons were involved?
D. P. Sprawls
Stephen Eneck
Stephen Eneck's Wife
Two Children
Two Colored Men
Where did it happen?
Plantation Of D. P. Sprawls, Three Miles From Williston, S. C.
Story Details
Key Persons
D. P. Sprawls
Stephen Eneck
Stephen Eneck's Wife
Two Children
Two Colored Men
Location
Plantation Of D. P. Sprawls, Three Miles From Williston, S. C.
Event Date
Night Of Thursday, The 3d Instant
Story Details
Two colored men arrested and confessed to entering Stephen Eneck's house to steal money, murdering him and his wife, ransacking the house, then saturating bedclothes with turpentine, firing them, and locking an infant and a little child inside to perish in the flames.