Phenix Gazette

We copy from the Frederick (Md.) Sentinel of the 4th instant, the following account of a most diabolical act which has just been perpetrated in that county:

Most Horrid Murder and Arson.—One of the most inhuman murders we have ever recorded, was committed on the persons of Mr. John Newey, and family living near Sabillasville in Herbaugh's valley, in this county. On Thursday morning last (before day,) the house of Mr. Newey, was discovered to be on fire by the neighbors. The fire was got under before the house was entirely consumed, when six human skeletons were found lying, one with the skull broken in. They were ascertained to be the remains of Mr. Newey, his wife, and two children, his father-in-law and an apprentice.

A jury of inquest was summoned who returned a verdict of murder by some person or persons unknown. Suspicion rests on a fellow of the name of John Markley who has recently been liberated from the Penitentiary, and who has, we understand been seen in the county. Some of our fellow citizens will recollect that about five years since a robbery was committed on Mr. Newey by this same Markley. He was taken, and being convicted on the testimony of Mr. Newey was sent to the penitentiary for five years. His term of imprisonment expired some time in November last. It is supposed that he has in revenge perpetrated the horrid crimes of murder and arson. His accomplice in the robbery, who was with him in the Penitentiary is in the county, and had warned the family of Mr. Newey, before the murder, of the designs of Markley. He states that when in the Penitentiary he had heard Markley threaten that 'when liberated he would kill Mr. Newey and burn him up in the flames of his dwelling.'