The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-12
Mysterious Murder or MIR. spragus In Rhode
Island.


From the accounts which we continue to receive
verbally, and by our correspondence from Rhode
Island, we are convinced that this is one of the
most extraordinary murders, and one produced by
the most extraordinary causes, which have taken
place for long time in that section of the country
1t will be perceived that some parts of the state
ments of the state of public opinion, and Of public
talk down in Rhode Island, in relation to this mur
der, which were given by correspondent OF this
paper have been formally contradlcted by the
Rhode Island papers, although, to our own know
ledge, that such reports were in circulation,
has been admitted by the friends of the family
both here and elsewhere. We do not know what
may be the degree of truth in any of the strange
and singular rumors which have been in crcua-
ton, or who may be the real murderers Of Mr..
Sprague; but, as the matter now stands, there is
mystery about the affair which exhibits itself in
every quarter. According to the evidence which
has been published by the Providence journals, it
would seem to be very strange if Gordon should
prove TO be the murderer OF the unhappy gentleman
1t is true that one of the principal pieces OF evil
dence against him is the singular conduct OF the
dog and it may be probable, according TO the be-
lief of our correspondent in this days paper, that
the Gordons have been accessory in some way or
other to the preparation of the diabelical crime ;
but at the same time it is considered very doubtful
there if they have had any other connection
with il. And it is generally believed that
the real murderer has not yet been dis
covered, and, further that the causes which
led to the preparation of the crime are alto
gether OF different kind from those which have
been hitherto given 10 the public II is very EVIL
dent 10 us that Mr. Sprague was murdered by some
person who had desire 10 appropriate his proper
ty, for his watch and $50 in money were found un-
touched when his dead body was discovered
Upon the whole, this affair is becoming mys
FERROUS, connected tits with some ofthe first fam
lies in Rhode Island, and creating il does great
deal of attention elsewhere, that we have deemed
il proper to send of reporters to the spot, to
be present at the examination which takes
place this afternoon and which we do not
believe the judicial functonaries Of the ace will
have any desire to conceal from the press. 1t is
obvious that the greater the publicity given to the
circumstances, the better will the ends of justice be
served, and the sooner will the real offenders be
AS to the imputations upon the character of the
some circulation. we do not by any means Join in
them. We shall believe him to have been per-
feet and viruous man until it shall otherwise APP
pear but his character, whatever may be said OF
it, has nothing to do with his bood-thrsty, daring
and atrociou- murder, for such it appears to have
been in al Us parts. Whatever motives the man
may have mad tor committing such horrible out
rage whatever the reasons which may have actua-
ed him privately, he ought to be discovered by the
proper authorities and made answer for the ter
.ibe deed before the ofended tribunals of the
country.