When was it published?

April 4, 1831 in Daily Richmond Whig

Domestic News April 4, 1831

Daily Richmond Whig

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

William Sandford, John Updegraff

Q: What keywords are associated?

Uniontown Jail, Prisoner Murder, Deranged Attack, Jail Killing

Richmond, Virginia

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What is this article about?

In Uniontown, Pa., deranged prisoner William Sandford killed intoxicated inmate John Updegraff in jail by striking him with a billet of wood, breaking his jaw in three places and mashing his skull. Sandford was secured after resistance.

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Full Text

Unfortunate Occurrence.—The Genius of Liberty published at Uniontown, Pa. mentions that for some time past, a man named William Sandford, has been confined in the jail of that place who is in a state of derangement. On Monday week last, the town constable lodged a person named John Updegraff in the jail, in a state of intoxication. On Tuesday, between one and two o'clock, he was killed by Sandford, with a billet of wood; his jaw bone was broken in three places, and his skull broken and mashed in a most shocking manner. It was with considerable difficulty that Sandford, the perpetrator of this deed of death, could be secured. He was armed with a billet of wood, and a large butcher knife, and rushed on the one who attempted to enter the room. After some scuffling, he was disarmed and secured. It is supposed that Updegraff had assisted in liberating him, by drawing the staple from the floor, to which he was chained.

What sub-type of article is it?

Crime Death Or Funeral

What keywords are associated?

Uniontown Jail Prisoner Murder Deranged Attack Jail Killing

What entities or persons were involved?

William Sandford John Updegraff

Where did it happen?

Uniontown, Pa.

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Uniontown, Pa.

Event Date

Tuesday, Between One And Two O'clock (Following Monday Week Last)

Key Persons

William Sandford John Updegraff

Outcome

john updegraff killed; jaw bone broken in three places, skull broken and mashed. william sandford secured after resistance.

Event Details

Deranged prisoner William Sandford, confined in Uniontown jail, killed intoxicated inmate John Updegraff with a billet of wood. Sandford resisted capture, armed with wood and a butcher knife, but was disarmed and secured. Updegraff may have helped liberate Sandford by drawing a staple from the floor.