Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-11-26

White al SaleiN, was Coh'ioteu oh rri-
day last. In course of his trial the fol-
lowing confess ous of the prisoner, de-
failing the motiIe and manner of the
murder, were brought forward as evil
dence against him -
FIRST CONFESSION.
Asearly as some time last February,
Joseph jenkius Knapp, jun. told his
brother, John Francis Knapp that he
wished the old gentleman (meaning
Cap, Wh,te) was dead. Frank asked
why? He answered, because the old
gentleman he'd made will, bestowing
the bulk OF his property upon Mr.. Ste
phen White, who had been the means
Of injuring defendant aud the other
members OF the family in the cs,i,na.
ton of Capt. White. Told Frank in
Joke, that the old gentleman had often
said he wished to 90 off like flash
Various modes of taking the life were
considered; whether 1t should be done
while nc was upon the road to his iarin,
or in his house. Flaak said he had not
pluck enough to kill she old mai him
self, but he knew who would. Said he
meant Richard Jr. and George Crown
inshield. He undertook, accordingly,
to negotiate with them upon the subject
| When he saw them, George said he
would IT 90 to the house to commit
the murder, but would meet him any
where out uf doors. Richard said he
would go any where, if George would
back him.
Richard and Frank, afterwards had
three meetlugs IN Salem; once by the
UnIyersallst Meeting house, once in
Southfields and once at the Salem
Theatre.
At these meetings, Frank told Rich
ard what defendant had SAID Defendant
and Frank had one meeting with Dick
near the centre OF Salem common.
Defendant told Richard, that he had
that day taken Capt. Whites will from
the ron chest in his chamber. Also
told him what he would give him for
committing the murder, which was the
same as Frank had told him, viz one
thousand dollars.
Richard showed the tools. with which
he meant to perform the deed; they
were examined by the defendant. One
was club, two feet long, turned, and
bea ring beads turned towards the han
die, to prevent slipping in the hand, il
was heavy. and he supposed it to be
loaded. The dirk was about five inch
es long. with an IVORY handle, the blade
was fiat, aud sharp at both edges.
Richard turned the cInb himself, al
his workshop; don't know who owned
the dagger. TINS was on Friday, the
I'd OF April, aud defendant asked Dick
If he was golng to kill the old man that
night. He answered no, and he said he
could not do it taat night because he was
alone, and George would not back him.
He would meet Frank, any time. De.
PENDANT went home TO Wenham on that
same evening, after the interview, car
ryng Capt. Whites will in his chaise
box, where he kept it, covered up with
hay, TIL the day alter the murder, when
he took it OFT AMI burned it The
next Sunday he came to town, and
went to meeting all day.
I On Sroday, (Apfil ~ Frank met
Richard AT the bottom OF the common,
and informed him that Capt White was
going Ia take tea a; the house of Mrs.
Stone, family connexion, in Chestnut
Street; that afternoon. Richard SAID.
he would dirk hum that night in
Chestnut Street, on his return, if he did
moi return heiore dark. II SO happen
ed, however, that he did return before
dark, and so the design was frustrated
}. }. Knapp, jr. then returned to Wen
ham before dark.
Frank went up to Wenham on Tues
day.-Mrs. BeckforJ (Capt. White
nelce and housekeeper) was there a,
tending daughter who was sick. De.
iendant told Frank he had better in.
form Richard Of this. J. J. KnanD
himself previously unscrewed and un-
barred the window shutter, SO that the
assassin might obtain easy access.
Frank accordingly left the farm for the
purpose of finding Dick, and on COM
ing away said he guessed the old gem
iIeman would 90 that night.
Next morning, Bcnj. White, Capt.
WIS man servant, came up and told us
Capt White had been murdered. In
the afternoon Frank came, and asked
If we had heard the news; we answer
ed yes. He afterwards 10 private rea-
ted the particulars of the murder. He
met Richard in Browns street, behind
Capt. Whites garden, about ten o'clock.
After the lights were extinguished,
Richard went round through the street
and entered the yard of Capt. w. in
front, went round the house to the back
window which Joe had left unfastned
entered the house alone, passed no the
stair case, opened the door Of the cham
Der where Captain White slept. ap-
preached his bedside and with his club
gave him blow on the head : then