The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-14
IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT.

-COnfeSsiOn OF Mrs. Ltecn-suppoSeu Al
rest OF the Murderers-Governor Dorr-
Rev. r.. X Avery-ResisnatlOn OF U.
Senators simmons and SPrnxue.
The steamer Narragansett, Captain Woolsey
due yesterday morning from Boston, arrived herr
last evening at 10 O'Clock, having been detained
Stonington by dense fogs, and afterwards retarded
in her progress through the Sound by terrible
gale of wind. We have received by her gallan
commander the following important and inter.st
ing letter from one of our reporters, who we des
patched Oh Friday TO the scene of the recent muir
der of Anasa Sprague, near Providence. II Wi
be found to contain all the important facts w t'
the latest hour. The Narragansett leaves for Bos
ton this morning at 9 o'clock. She proved hersel
yesterday to be of the best sea boats that sail
out of this port and her commander one of the
best OF seament.
WnrrcoMB's FRANKLIN HOUSE,
PROVIDENCE, II. l., Friday, 8 z. NJ.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,
DEAR SIR
arrived al this excellent hotel this morning a
five O'clock by the way of Stonington, in the sub
stantal and elegant steamboat Narraganseu, Capt
Woolsey. The intense excitement relative TO the
horrible murder, or butchery, of Amasa Sprague
on Sunday, the last day of December, on his owl
farm, still exists, and will continue while shroudet
in mystery After an excellent breakfast, and ar
introduction TO the gentlemanly host, procured 1
sleigh and horses, and drove to the place where
the investigation was holding, which was in the
Warden's office of the county jail, which is here
used for the quadruple purpose of jail State prison
penitentiary and aims house. there ascertained
that the investigation had been held in secret, and
would, in all probability, be SO continued l found
that four persons were in prison, on alleged parc
patton, or knowledge of the murder, viz :-Nichoas
G. Gordon, William Gordon, and John Gordon
who are brothers, and Michael O'Brian, one OF
their intimate associates The mother of the Cor
dons was also arrested, and another brother, named
Robert but have since been discharged. The ex-
animation has already occupied two days; Ncho.
las c. Gordon has resided in the immediate vicin-
ity of the calico mandatory of Mr.. Sprague for
several years, and has acquired some property by
keeping store for the sale of articles to the work
men and others in the vicinity John and William,
his brothers., arr recently from Ireland, whence
they came in JAY last with their sister, they being
sent for by Nicholas.
The inves,,ea,,on has been held before the ex-
am,ninr mns ,gMate, II. L. Bowen, Esq.-counsel
for the S:.le. Albert c. Greene, Esq, who, until
the present year, has been Attorney General of the
State for nineteen successive years 1t - under
stood that he Is employed by Senator Sprague,
brother of the deceased thoroughly to investigate
this brutal murder and endeavor to ferret out the
perpetrators.
and John p. Knowles, Esqs. The first named gentle
man has been the counsel of Nicholas G.. Gordon
in recent suits between him and Mr.. Sprague, the
deceased, although he is said to be one Of the most
AUTHORITIES in the state, OF the
politics with the deceased, and opposed to his eli
who have always acted on the other side of the
question The above named are the only persons
who have been admitted before the investigation,
except the witnesses; and learning that it pro-
babe that the same secuslon would be observed, ]
made the following communication to the presl-
ding magistrate -
providence, January II, 1914.
"The undersigned, of the corps Of reporters Of
The New York Herald respectfully represents that the
intense excitement relative to the brutal murder Of Mr.
Sprague of this vicinity has extended to New York city
and consequently he has attended obtain such
rect information that subject will satisfy public OPT
nion and prevent the evils arising from the various
and imprRdent rumors that daily put in circu
ation The community nxpect information fSom the
Juctors of the public press and failing to obtain such
from responsible sources they not only mised by
NOR but become the medium through which those actua
ted by sinister motives may circulate false statements
preudcng the public mind and thus thwartng the ends
ofjusce
has satisfied that in the investigation of the crime
of murder when shrouded in mystery the more publicity
given every incident Of actual occurrence bearing
the offence the rapid Will be the Development
the secrecy that surrounds it.
ITO sustain this position he would cite the recent
der of Mrs Houseman and child on Staten Island wherein
the early publication of crcumstanal evidence in tn,
New York Herald led to the almost immediate arrest
the supposed murderess and the calculation of facts till
then perfectly That court of investigation i'm
mediaely opened their doors for the admission Of
the associates of the undersigned, satisfied ofte benefits
resulting from publicity would Siso SGe me eens
CITY and Robinson OF New Brunswick and others
tha, the collection Of your honor may serve
The crime Of murder being in its characterize different
from all others appears to instantly call forth inherent
principle in the heart of every human being TO aid in the
exposition ofevery circumstance however trifing thai
will tend the offender. spontaneous feeling
SELF defence is called into action, and consequently the
public exposition of items Of testimony that alone would
appear of but little weight perhaps Of importance
attracts the attention Of some who has knowledge of
circumstance that accords with it. and thus an i'm
potant link in the chain Of testimony is obtained that
lit is for this reason well to give correct tone
public opinion that the undersigned desires the privilege
of admission to the resignation holding before you
considering himself in duty bound if such request is
granted abide by the direction of the Court in suppress
sing any testimony that from its character might be deem
ENOCH f. CAMP
Reporter of the N. Y. Herald"
After short delay, ! was very respectfully in
formed by the warden OF the prison, that the cour
had concluded to adhere TO their position of hold
ing the investigation in secret, and | accordingl
prepared myself to make such investigation int
the matter as my means would admit.
Immediately gave the driver directions to con
vey me to the scene of the murder. 1t is situate
about three miles south of Providence, on a farr
belonging to the deceased, half mile below hi
calico mandatory and dwelling, on the banks G
a beautiful little stream called Pocbaset Brook
which supplies his mandatory with water /
small ravine is here formed by surrounding hill:
that entirely seclude observation from all tn
neighboring dwellings, except one on the north
east half mile distant, occupied by Redne
Dyer. The residence of the uncle of deceased
over the southeast hill, about quarter of mil
distant, and that of Mrs Leech, who occupies
niche in this interesting affair, about the same dis
lance over the north western hill on the Johnston
road. A by-road and pathway extend from tn
Cranston road near the factories Of deceased, Il
the creek at the scene of the murder
where narrow foot-brldge crosses tn
stream. At the north western end of this bridge
ON the hank of the gentle stream. is the appallin