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Story
December 23, 1819
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
James Vest was executed in Chesterfield County, Virginia, for murdering his wife. The crime was witnessed by a runaway slave who reported it, leading to Vest's capture and conviction based on evidence and confessions. Their three daughters testified.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
PETERSBURG, (VA.) DEC. 21.
Execution of James Vest.—The benignity of our laws has made capital punishments so rare in Virginia, that, whenever they occur, they excite deep interest. In the neighboring county of Chesterfield, an execution took place on Friday last. A man named James Vest, at the last term of the Superior Court of that county, was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and was, pursuant to the sentence then passed on him, hanged on Friday.
The case, as we are informed by a gentleman who was present at the trial, was deeply interesting. The person murdered was the wife of the criminal, and the principal witnesses were three girls, the common offspring of the murderer and his victim! It is believed too, that a fiend! in female shape, with whose name we will not pollute our paper, urged him to the deed! The murder was committed in a deeply secluded spot, and was discovered only by a most singular accident. A runaway negro who was concealed in an adjoining thicket, witnessed the murder and was so horror struck at the sight, that he surrendered himself to justice and disclosed the terrible crime. The criminal fled, but in a few days was apprehended. There was adduced at the trial strong proof of the fact, corroborated by repeated voluntary confessions, made by the prisoner
Execution of James Vest.—The benignity of our laws has made capital punishments so rare in Virginia, that, whenever they occur, they excite deep interest. In the neighboring county of Chesterfield, an execution took place on Friday last. A man named James Vest, at the last term of the Superior Court of that county, was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and was, pursuant to the sentence then passed on him, hanged on Friday.
The case, as we are informed by a gentleman who was present at the trial, was deeply interesting. The person murdered was the wife of the criminal, and the principal witnesses were three girls, the common offspring of the murderer and his victim! It is believed too, that a fiend! in female shape, with whose name we will not pollute our paper, urged him to the deed! The murder was committed in a deeply secluded spot, and was discovered only by a most singular accident. A runaway negro who was concealed in an adjoining thicket, witnessed the murder and was so horror struck at the sight, that he surrendered himself to justice and disclosed the terrible crime. The criminal fled, but in a few days was apprehended. There was adduced at the trial strong proof of the fact, corroborated by repeated voluntary confessions, made by the prisoner
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Tragedy
Family
What keywords are associated?
Murder
Execution
Family Witnesses
Confession
Runaway Slave
What entities or persons were involved?
James Vest
James Vest's Wife
Three Girls
Fiend In Female Shape
Runaway Negro
Where did it happen?
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Story Details
Key Persons
James Vest
James Vest's Wife
Three Girls
Fiend In Female Shape
Runaway Negro
Location
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Event Date
Friday Last
Story Details
James Vest murdered his wife in a secluded spot, urged by another woman. Their three daughters witnessed and testified. A runaway negro saw the act and reported it, leading to Vest's capture, trial, conviction for first-degree murder, and hanging.