The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-09
City Intelligence.

rance vie, and Mt the suggestion Of Alderman Crolus
thurman oil the Prison Committee he removed from
ms cell yesterday afternoon and search made for the i'm
PIGMENTS which ii was supposed he had obtained to effect
MS OBJECT The keys of his trunk demanded but
he stated that they in the possession his counsel
Aeys were obtained, however and upon opening thu
trunk, rope ladder measuring some forty or fifty feet
was nicely packed in the false top and in other parts were
found four newly constructed instruments that appeared
have been manufactured for the express purpose of cut
ting the iron bars of the doors window SILL or other
wise aiding in his movements. The ladder was well
finished with stops to grasp and graphing of the
ends to make fast aid him in his ascent and de-
scent the walls. Several chisels for cutng iron
also found in the CELL well a large blacksmihs
sedge to aid in their use and also loaded pistol capped
and ready for service Two keys also found that
fitted the paddock that had been placed the outside OF
his door, and number of other smaller implements
which had been selected to aid his operations II is sup
posed that his intention either force out cut
the iron bars that the surface of the skylght
at the of his CELL and then break off sufficient OF
the work by the of the instruments, to al
low him egress from the building through the aperture
The rope ladder with the graphing would then be called
to his aid which would allow him to scale the walls
night watch is kept in the passage, the Of the
main building in which he confined. There is no
doubt that he has been collecting these implements for
many months recently he has kept the sky light
ed with curtain, and placed his bed in position be
turned upright during the day bring of it
the aperture, where he intended opera
TONS Upon being questioned to his objects he replied
with perfect nonchaance that boy had brought them
in to him. but he had intention to them and would
not leave the cell if the door left wide o?en This
will ton to the keepers who they admit
the cells prisoners the character of Edwards as there
is doubt these implements have been ed to him
under Of other materials and it therefore points our
the necessity of having every basket and parcel carefully
examined before reaches the cells of notorious and con
victed felons.
Mr. Holman suspecting that other prisoners might be
concerned in the plot, caused the adjoining cells be
searched but nothing discovered to justify the
picion.
CASE TOPPING THE MunpERER.-The commission
appointed by the Governor to examine whether Thomas
Topping was of sane mind or not at the time he commit
ted the murder of his wife, the LIST of January last
snmed Its sittngs In the Court OF Sessions yester
day afternoon The prisoner appeared much the
on Thursday last and apparently took interest whate
in the examination.
There but few spectators present among those
few were several young and beautiful ladies' whose sym
pahes appeared to be interested in the fate of the prso
ner whom they devoutly hoped might be saved from the
hangman although he had raised his hand against
their and hurried into eternity the wife Of his
Mrs Ann Stephens also present. deeply interested
in the fate OF the prisoner We connected the OF
this lady, in report of the proceedings of Thursday
manner that understand has led suppose
that she employed bona de counsel for the prise
ner. This was far from our intention Mrs Stephens
has in the whole transaction conducted herself in
which has reelected the highest credit her Ia
dy mbued with the strongest feelings OF humanity, while
she not oerepped the bounds Of female modesty nor
nerfered with the duties that properly belonged to the
prisoners counsel, Mr.. Hart, who absent from
city on Thursday but attended the examination yeser
day
The first witness called was ROBERT Boon who depos.
e that he was fifty years of age and bookseller by
eight years by sight, and have been intimate with him
about five years. have had frequent conversations with
him, and thought he Of extremely weak mind
this opinion was strengthened by further intercourse with
him. His memory always appeared to be confused Two
three times while visiting his house. about FIVE year
ago. observed several flights of fancy in the prisoner
neverk knew he sunstruck ] have frequently heard
his neghbors say he insane and that he would gel
fits passion without cause do not think that he
at all times competent to transact ordinary business
have not visited him for three ears but have him
occasionally Isaw him about fortnight ago in prison
examination. him in the street last October; he
was miserable, both physically and mentally; he could
from it Immediately, and would introduce
foreign subjects. I thought at the time that H.
was insane. asked him about his wife and FAM
ly but he gave answer, but asked some foreign
question did not repeat the question: his mind
was harassed and that he right. do not remem
Der the purport of conversation. thong he
not far from lunatc, and impressed that he might
shortly commit some wicked action. | him
drink. did not consider prisoner SO far gone in in
eect to be irresponsible being, until paid him the
last visit in his cell. am convinced that he is in
that condition. and at the time in Oct last that is
dition that do not think he capable Distinguishing
between right and wrong this my last visit to him
in prison. Never him in such condition before.
CATHERINE KELLY sworn-This was one Of the princi-
pal witnesses for the prosecution the trial of Topping
and lying sick in the same room where the murdei
committed. Witness had lived in Toppings house
about twelve days bfeore the murder On the day pre-
vous to the murder he went out before breakfast about
o'clock and did not return until 10 o'clock at night
when he to bed and got up in about hour and
came to my bed and looked very wild. He then went
his wiies bed and said e" wish knew where GATHERINGS
not hear, speak, see for an hour afterwards
informed think it was his manner that frightened me-
and caused the fit ofnsensibty thought strange
in his coming to bed and that induced to think he
was very queer. never thought him insane,
heard his neighbors say have been acquainted with
him for six years. and never heard he was insane until
CHARLES r. SMITH sworn.-witness is a student in the
Episcopal Theological Seminary. Has known prisoner
since the oath of February last visited him in his cell
and called on him entirely in relation TO his spiritual wei
fare, and have visited him perhaps twice week
since my visits would average from hour hour
and hall each He never appeared to realize that he
had committed the murder ne appeared to be man Of
before and after his conviction. His conviction did
appear to make any alteration in him. Thought he
demened-very mbecile in intellect He did not appear
realize the awful fate that had awaited him-though
God would not punish him for the deed he
scous of having committed it. When would endeavor
oimpress him the necessity Of preparation for his end
he would ask me questions about Job, Solomon, &C.
HENRY CApLEY, sworn.-Witness knew prisoner about
two years ago, and was acquainted with him for four
five months at that time. He used to purchase small guam
titles Of leather from me- and has frequently to
in state that believe red he insane. He would
in and wiring his hands for fifteen minutes and 60
again. and not say anything Once he left his furni
in the street for two days and nights without pree
ton, and hired to watch them. On one OF those
days, he insane and went about mueing himself
sometimes he would be insane and others appear quite
sensible know nothing of his state of mind on the LIST
OF January last.
No other witnesses being present, the Commission ad
burned till Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock.
MoRE HABEAs-Another notorious rogue
named James Egerton let loose upon the community
Saturday by Judge Lynch He was arrested and COM
mitted few days since for entering and robbing the
clothing store of Felix Rouse in Duane street. Broad
way of $500 worth of clothing of the stolen
having been found his back when arrested. man
named Garrett Garretson who had been refused by jus
tce Stevens was taken by Judge Lynch as security
Thus we 60.