Scan of Celia's Statement (jpg)

Celia, a slave, duly sworn, belonging to Robert Newsom says that she killed her master on the night of the 23rd day of June 1855-- about two hours after dark by striking him twice on the head with a stick, and then put his body on the fire and burnt it nearly up, then took up the ashes on the morning after daylight. After breakfast, the bones were not entirely burnt up. I took up the ashes and bones out of the fireplace in my cabin where I burnt the body and emptied them on the right hand side of the path leading from my cabin to the stable.
Sworn to + attested before us on this 25th day of June 1855

D. M. Whyte J.P.

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Celia           X
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We hereby certify that the foregoing is the testimony taken in the inquest held over the remains of Robert Newsom at his late residence in Callaway County on the 25th day of June 1855.

D.M. Whyte J.P.
Isaac P. Howe J.P.

Celia a slave the defendant being examined says that on the night of the 23rd day of June 1855 she killed Mr. Robert Newsom her master by striking him on the head twice with with a stick about two hours after dark. After she found she had killed him she put his body on the fire in her cabin to burn it up. The bones were not entirely consumed by morning and after daylight in the morning she took the ashes and pieces of bones up out of the fireplace and emptied them on the path leading from her cabin to the stable. She stated she did not intend to kill him when she struck him but only wanted to hurt him.

We hereby certify that the above is the testimony of Celia a slave taken before us on the trial of a case wherein the State of Missouri is Plaintiff and the said Celia is defendant on the 25th day of June A.D. 1855.

D.M. Whyte J.P.
Isaac P. Howe J.P.