Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Winchester, (Va.) Sept. 18.

MURDER.

The body of a young man was found most inhumanly mangled on Friday the 10th inst. under the Barn of Moses Newbank, in this County. From several circumstances, suspicion was immediately fixed upon a mulatto fellow who had been in Newbank's employ, of the name of Jerry. This fellow it appears had subsequently entered into a gentleman's employ to drive his Team to Alexandria; and had proceeded as far as Snicker's Gap where he was overtaken by the persons sent in pursuit of him. He has since made a full disclosure of all the circumstances connected with this diabolical affair. The deceased had previously, and for several months been in the employ of Joseph Baker, Esq. of this county: but his engagement with him having expired, he received the balance due him (about 15 dols.) and set out to seek further employment. On Sunday, the 22d ult. he unfortunately fell in company with the monster, who afterwards became his murderer. Two or three half pints of whiskey were successively purchased from Mrs. Newbank, with which they retired to the barn; here, the fellow says, dispute arose between them over a game of marbles; that the deceased struck him; that he defended himself, and in the heat killed the lad, and afterwards buried him under the Barn. A quantity of blood was, however, observed upon the barn floor, a mattock also close by; hence it is believed that the murder was deliberately committed to obtain the money and property of the young man, as he was immediately robbed of the former, and his hat was also in the possession of the murderer. Respecting the young man, Mr. Baker has communicated to us the following information:--

"He told my family that his mother was a widow: that she lived on the Ohio side of the river, not far from Wheeling; that he absconded from her; was about 18 or 19 years old; of short stature; he called himself James Hunter."