Richmond Enquirer

Augusta, Jan. 28.

On Saturday evening last, at about eight o'clock, Mr. Thomas Hancock, of Edgefield District in South Carolina, who lived about 10 miles from this place, was shot through the head as he was preparing for bed and instantly killed. From circumstances which have since been disclosed, it appears that this bloody deed was contrived and executed by two negro fellows belonging to the deceased, one of whom made a free and voluntary confession of the particulars relative to it, which as they were unfolded at the Magistrates' Court by whom the offenders were tried, appears as follows:—That one named Ephraim, without any previous or preconcerted design to destroy his master, had been induced to do it by the advice of one named Sam, who came to him about eight o'clock and told him that at a particular spot, a few yards from the house, a gun stood ready loaded and prepared, and he directed him to get it and shoot his master.—He immediately went, as advised by Sam, found the gun at the designated spot, took it and walked direct into the Piazza, and as his master was stooping down near the fire place, he shot him through the head, which instantly killed him. He then moved off a little distance, & concealed the gun. After the funeral of his master he informed one of the other negroes that it was he that committed the diabolical act, and he added on his examination, that his conscience condemned him so much that he could not run off or conceal his guilt. Sam's agency in the murderous deed was, in procuring the gun, loading and directing its employment.—The court and jury, satisfied of the guilt of the offenders, condemned them both to be executed, Sam to be burnt and Ephraim to be hung—which sentences are to be carried into effect on Friday next, near the place where the murder was committed, on what is called the Five Notch Road, in Edgefield District. The distress of a guilty conscience was the instrumental cause of bringing to light this act of villainy.—An all-wise providence has placed conscience in the breast of every intelligent being, as a faithful judge of moral conduct.—the guilty cannot evade its sentence, and no artifice can silence its admonitions. He who cannot fly from himself, cannot escape the bitter torment which is the inseparable attendant on transgression.