The Daily Dispatch: August 6, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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Nevel case.

--Four negroes — Mary Susan Hill, Harriet Hill, George Powders, free, and Jack, slave to P. J. Wright — were before the Mayer yesterday, on the warrant of Coroner Sanzay, charged with the murder of James Henson, a free negro, on the 29th of July last. Two witnesses were examined, but neither of them implicated Harriet Hill or the two men in the slightest degree with the murder.

Ann Peppercorn deposed, that on the 27th of July, Mary 8. Hill came into her yard, adjoining that in which deceased resided, and purchased a lawn sack of her, paying her $1, and promising to pay the balance of the money when she called for the garment. Mary Susan then left the premise, and on getting into the street, witness heard her say Jim Hod son would not let her come to his house — that he thought more of her sister Harriet than he did of her — and that he should not live till Sunday night. Witness did not see the deceased, and could not say that he heard the prisoner's remarks.

Catherine Byrne occupied a room immediately under the one occupied by Hudson. On Tuesday, the 28th July, between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock, she heard something fall heavily on the floor above her, and heard a groan, but did not ascertain the cause. She heard no other unusual noise, and did not go out to ascertain the cause of the groan.

Upon this evidence the Mayor adjourned the investigation till Saturday, and committed Mary Susan to jail; but admitted the other three to bail for their appearance.