About sunset on the 23rd May, 1860, the Rev. John E. Chambers was most inhumanly murdered, while returning 
home from attending to his hands on his plantation in the vicinity of Pekin, NC. After a patient investigation 
of all the circumstances and testimony, the Coroner's Jury returned a runaway as principal; and three other 
Negroes as accessories to the foul crime.

The runaway has escaped. The object of this notice is to elicit any information, that any one may be able to 
give in reference to the Negro, as hereinafter described, and also to have him arrested.

His bereaved family would feel under very great obligations to any one who would be so kind as to communicate 
any such information by letter or otherwise, to R. A. Chambers, Pekin, Montgomery County, NC. They will also 
give the above reward of $200 for his arrest and commitment to jail at Troy, Montgomery Co., NC.  He is said 
to be about five feet 6 or 8 inches high, about thirty years of age, no whiskers, broad-shouldered, and well 
set; he had very long, bushy hair, upper teeth protruding over the under, a scar or lump on his forehead, which 
he said was caused by a fall in leaping from the cars, when making his escape, and a very peculiar tone of 
voice. He claimed to be a great conjuror. He wore black pants and a black long-tailed coat. His hands were 
short, large and thick, and his feet large.

The hat and shoes of the deceased were missing. He may possibly be wearing the hat, which may lead to his 
identification. The hat was broad-brimmed, and tolerably low-crowned, made of fur, but apparently of wool, 
of a brown, rusty appearance; and had been torn on the top, but had been darned with black flax thread.

He stated that he was originally from Virginia; belonged to a widow and some children; sold to a Mr. Thomas 
Thompson, a Negro speculator; escaped by being left behind in one train of cars, while his owner was hurrying 
to transfer to another; lived with a man who owned other Negroes, in South Carolina, in consequence of suspicion 
left and came into this neighborhood.

Such is the account and description of the said runaway, as given by the Negroes. (signed) R. A. Chambers, 
Pekin, NC, June 26, 1860