Clayton Still murdered, 1852

 New Jersey Mirror 12 Feb 1852

We learn that Clayton Still, the colored boy, who was stabbed by Josiah Cornelius, about two weeks since, died from the effects of the injury, on Saturday evening last. 

The case appeared to be doing well, and the symptoms were of such a nature as to warrant a belief, that it would, with care, soon terminate favorably. There was an occasional discharge of blood, but not such as to materially affect the system. The wound suppurated, and matter was freely discharged--the swelling of the limb, in some degree, disappeared, but on Saturday morning more blood was discharged, which indicated the necessity of a surgical operation. A consultation of surgeons was promptly called, and it was found necessary to cut down and tie the main artery of the arm near the shoulder joint. This was done, and every means, which art could suggest, was resorted to, but without benefit. 

He survived about two hours. A dissection of the arm was made after death, and strange to say, every blood-vessel, except one, was severed, arteries and veins, together with the main nerve of the arm. During the search for the blood-vessels, and after, more than a pound of coagulated blood was taken from the wound. The injury was effected by means of a long dirk-knife, the external opening of the wound being not over half an inch--this fact, together with the large quantity of coagulated blood firmly impacted in the wound, prevented immediate death, and rendered it very difficult to obtain a thorough knowledge of the injuries received. 

Cornelius, who committed the act, has fled to parts unknown.