The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-08-25
THE MURDERER

"e III prison, was undoubtedl,
one OF Inc most singular beings of his Grim
maj profession, which history or fiction car
snow. Ever since he attained boyhood hi,
[ deeds have been characterized with daring
hypocrisy, GOODNESS, defiance of all law
and calculation and ingenuity that would
nave raised to eminence in society, had he
received proper direction in his infancy
his recent letters written during his con
hnement, are but the part of plan TO res
cue not only himself, but all his associates
IN CRIME. An incident is told in this place.
which marks the GOODNESS and precaution
with which he moved in his criminal pur-
suits! On the night on which the murder
was committed, he complained of slight
lndispositIcn, and went to bed, as seen bv
the amiiy about 8 O'Clock. At IL o'clock,
members of the family, and requested a
preparation of medicine for the purpose of
allevlating his indisposition. During the
interval that had elapsed between these
events, he had left his room privately, rode
to Salem, perpetrated the foul deed, return
ed and placed himself in the same situation.
1t was about ten minutes after ten o'clock,
that the murder of Capt. White was ac-
complshed, according to the evidence of
persons who saw him and Knapp skulking
round the buildings. One female heard
Knapp it is supposed, say to the other,
"havs you done it ~ 81 have fixed him.
was the short and rapid reply.
The precaution taken by Richard, in
complaining of indisposition, and taking
medicine, although apparently trivial cir
eumstances, would have formed very i'm
portant facts, attested to by several wit
nesses, showing that he was innocent. To
any jury it would have amounted to an abb
and had the principal been rescued from
the clutches of the law by concurrence of
such testimony, it would have been easy to
defeat the ends of justice as it respects the
other associates.
The voluntary confession of Knapp dur
ing his confinement, put out of join: all the
plans of Crowninshield, and urged him to
the desperate alternative of suicide. This
confession was made to the Rev. Mr.. Cole
man of Salem, clergyman of considerable
piety and learning. Joe Knapp, as he is
called, was not exactly counted on ms one of
the confederacy headed by Crowninshield.
He was jealous of the personal popularity
Of Dick among such men as Palmer, Hatch,
Selman, Chase, &c. &c. He managed his
criminal concerns on his own hook, and it
was merely the necessity of the case that
made him apply to the leader for the execu-
ton of a plan, from which, through his con-
nections, he expected to reap the exclusive
6ss Sd His emafes IN Essex coHnfy f he he
had been at sea, but lattery was not partic-
ularly engaged in business. After Knapp
made his confession duplicating Richard as
the principal, tho latter lost all hopes of
safety. Over ali the rest of his associates
Richard exercised unbounded sway, and it
Is currently reported that none of these
would have dared to face him even. in a
court of justice, as a witness against him.
Knapp was beyond that influence, and
hence his revelations. A short time before
his suicide, Richard Crownnshield dropt
several hints in relation to Knapp, which
marked his feelings towards that individual.
81 only wish," said he, 81 was within
reach of him for one minute, only one min
ute." "What would you do?" he was
asked. He smiled with singular express
sion of countenance-" not much"-'' not
mnch."
During the confinement of Richard, his
cell was in the second story, under which,
in separate cells, were confined one or more
of his associates. In the cell immediately
under was Palmer. When several individ-
uals belonging either to the grand jury or to
the committee of vigilance visited the latter
for the purpose of finding out what facts he
knew, they had taken the precaution to
have every hole md crevice in the ceiling
between the upper and lower cell we'll ex-
amined and filled up.
Crownnshield himself, was famous in
forming communications with the different
cells adjoining his. He had got suspicion
that Palmer was confined in the cell under
him, and forthwith ne set himself to work
in finding out the fact. The visitors of
Palmer had not been long there, before a
noise was heard in the ceiling, like some
person boring a hole. Immediately some
thing fell through. One of the gentleman
went and picked it up-it was a common
lead pencil In short time string came
through, with small piece of paper attach
ell to it. This was also examined. On it
was written a question, is your name
Palmer ?" One of the visters present, in
order to see what Crowninshield was at,
requested Palmer to reply. He declined,
however. Some one gave slight pull to
the string, that dangled through the apert-
ure. This had its effect. 1t was immedi-
ately pulled up. AS last resort, low
deep whisper proceeded from the aperture,
distinctly heard over the cell" Palmer
Palmer" Palmer" speak Palmer"
At this period there is no doubt but
Richard was full of the belief that he
would not only save himself but all his con-
federates. Up to the time Knapp told the
story, he always exhibited the utmost cool
ness and self possession. His calmDess
visible in his letters 10 his sister shows the
singular adroitness and activity of his mind
....... NJ Y. Morning Courier.
PNsoS DISCIPLINE At the late meeting Of
the Prison Discipline Society in Boston, ar
address was delivered by the Rev. Dr.. Beech
err, from which we extract the following elo
quent remarks:
" In relation TO the treatment of prisoners
ne remarked, that governments had laboree
under a great mistake, by the infliction of 4
rigor of chastisement almost wholly destitute