The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-28

iahoed MN, and he went to the house and sat down
and cried lie refused dner, and after had done, he
came to me and said he did not blame me- and knew he
had drunk too much cider | once led him home from
South Douglas. He had drank so much he could not
stand alone After had barganed with him to work
or me- learned that he noto,lous cider drinker
! learned, from his own declarations, that he was
gambler. tie had the reputation where he had lived
of being cowardly boy.
Henry Chaplin, Esq was counsel of Ephraim
Thayer, who accused of being accessory to this
homicide AT the examination, the Court adjourned to
Worcester, to take Knowlton's evidence Before
knowlton's examination, visited him at the Jail in
company with the sheriff. [Objections were here made
to the admission of knowon's declarations but, after
argument were oyerruled.] Knowlton said that Eph-
rain Thayer came to Richardson's the morning of
January 81, and asked where Stephen Sherman was
he wanted to the miserable devil. He asked him
to kill Sherman, but he objected He said that Thayer
then handed him two dollar bill, saying that ''that
girl might as well be put out of the way" He said
that he had drunk three pitchers of cider that morning
He said in his testimony before the Court that he had
gambed with many and had lost good deal Of money
Said he should not tell with whom he gambled-he
now ate his words. He said when under oath,
that he did not know whether he believed in God or
not asked him if he believed IN TAT this point, OBJ
Jectlons were made to the admission of Knowlton's
statements, made under OATH and the examination was
waived.]
Cross Eraniaed-The investigation lasted four days
Thayer was acquitted. Knowlton's testimony was used
in the case.
Col. John w. LinsOln, Sher!f Of the COusty.-I had
conversation with Prisoner, shortly. after the ndict-
ment. He said there was no future state. When
died, that end ofhim He did not believe in
future rewards and punshments, nor in a future exist
heard the conversation between Knowlton and
Mr. Chaplin. At my subsequent interviews with Pris-
oner he expressed great indifference to his fate say
ing, they say that girl is Dead the only for whom
had any love, and do not what they do with
me'' He wished to write to his aunt at Pawtuxet
wrote, but have never heard any thing from her
Prisoner has repeatedly said, he never should have
been in jail but for drinking. That had been the cause
of all his trouble.
Cross observation-disclosures never stated the guam
tity of cider drank the morning of the MURDER except
when Mr.. Chaplin present.
Asa Matheaos.-Was keeper of the Jail last June,
when Mrs. Thayer came to see Knowlton. She wish
ed to have conversation with him. She told him she
wished know whether Mr.. Thayer had any thing to
do with that murder-for she either had got bill Of
divorce intended to- cannot tell which She said
she should never live with him again. Prisoner said
he had nothing to do with it, He said he had told
stories enough about it, but he would now tell the truth
that Thayer had nothing to do W it'll it, and knew
nothing about it.
Odah NJ Thayc.L went to the Jail last June to see
Knowlton. told him, wanted to know the truth
about my husband. 1t would make no difference to me,
had already got divorced, and should live no more
with him; but it would be satisfaction to know the
truth He said he should tell no more stories about it.
He said that neither Mr., Thayer nor any one else knew
any thing about the murder.
Stephen Arnold-I went to Richardson's house about
noon on the Slst of January Prudence Arnold was my
cousin Knowlton lying on the kitchen floor, and
Prudence was in the hall. staid till night. assist
ed knowton to wash and change his clothes He said
he should not have killed the girl if it had not been
for the cider and Ephraim Thayer. think heard
him. afterwards, assign other cause, but cannot
recolect what it was
i Thomas Aldrich-On being called said he understood
the court adjourned to 10, which was the cause of
not being here when first called Is constable in Ux-
bridge Was at Richardson about noon on JAM 81
Saw Knowlton in the Kitchen and the girls body in
the ball. In the evening attended the inquest held
on the body, and had conversation with the prs-
oner had the razor in my. hand and have it with
me- THE razor was here produced 1t was still
smeared with blood held up and asked him if il
was his. He said it was. / asked him if he cut Pru
dence Arnold's throat with it. He said he did.
asked him if it the one he cut his own with He
said it was not any thing else Said was 50 dull that
it hurt him that he could not cut his own throat 30
efeciuay as he did Prudence's. If it had been his
other he could have done it SO it would have
stad put He said it his intention to kill Prudence
when he called her up stairs. asked him the cause
and he said sioye and Jealousy would cause man to
do almost any thing"
| Cross Examination. Knowlton assigned no other
cause for the murder at that time. When / brought
him to the prison, he said he should not have been
there but for cider and Thayer. brought Knowlton
in the cars, and walked from the station to the prison
lie was not bound. He said, on the way, if il was
much farther, ne must stop and rest. When the kew
was turned upon him in the cell, he exclaimed, ssOh
God cannot stay here, help me, help me-" Hetook
hold Of the door CRATES and shook them / told him
he was now beyond my authority. Mr. Mathews told
him to lie down and be quiet and went in and out him
on the bed. When leaving, he told me IL saw