The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-29

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his charge and consi Tered him safe person He was
an Ignorant man without much education, but had gooc
judgement about his work. do not know whether he
could write. He could read writing, some. lie was
on friendly terms with Prudence, and knew Of moth
ing more. Had reason to suppose he had any rar.
hcuar attachment to her Had seen no change in their
conduct towards each other No other one was atten-
ve to her Does not know that prisoner had ever be-
fore committed any criminal offence. He had some
times drank too much. He did not use money with
Judgment Would spend it at oyster shops, for beer,
oysters, candy, &c.
DTcd Eranaiaati5n resumed.-In September I had
been from home, and when / returned / sent him to
feed the oxen. He went and got some stalks, and
ne passed me he and talked ccarsey. [ repri-
manded him, and he went to the house and sat down
and cried He refused dinner, 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 bargained with him to work
for me- learned that he was s9torious cider drinker
learned from his declarations, that he was
gambler. He had the reputation where he had lived.
OF being cowardly boy.
Henry Chaplin, Esg.-I was counsel of Ephraim
Ihayer, who was accused of being accessory to this
homicide AT the examination, the Court ad ourned to
Worcester, to take Knowlton's evidence Bef,re
knowlton's examination, visited him at the Jail in
company with the sheriff CObiectons were here made
to the admission of Knowltons declarations but after
argument, were overruled. Knowlton said that Eph-
ann lhaycr 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 obeced He said that Thayer
then handed him two dollar bill, saving that "that
girl might as well be put ont Of the way.'' He said
that he had drunk three pitchers of cider that morning
lie SAID in his testimony before the Court, that he had
ganbied 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 iae did moi know whether he believed ia Sod OF
not asked him if he believed in At this point OBJ
Jectons were made TO the admission of Knowltons
statements, made under OATH and the examination was
waived.1
Cross Erammed- The investigation lasted four DAYS
Ihayer was acquitted Knowltons testimony was used
in the case.
Col. Jtp w. E5nco!n, Sheriff Of the Coumy.-I had
conversation with Prisoner, shortly after the indct-
ment. He said there future state When a
man died, that end ofhim. He did not believe in
future rewards and punishments in future exist
ence. heard the conversation between Knowton 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 one for whom
had any love, and do not care what they do with
me-" He wishedme to write to his aunt at Pawtuxet
| wrote, but have never heard any thing from her
Prisoner has repeatedly said he never should hav,
been in Jail but for drinking That had been the caus,
Of all his trouble.
Cross Enanination.-Pr Prisoner never stated the guam
iy Of cider drank the morning Of the murder, eNcep
when Mr.. Chaplin was present.
Asa Mathsaos-Was keeper of the Jail last juno
| when Mrs. Thayer came to see Knowlton. She wish
ed to have conversation with him. She told him sh
wished to know whether Mr.. Thayer had any thing I
do with that murder-for she either had got bill
divorce or intended to- cannot tell which. She sal
| she should never live with him again. Prisoner sal
he had nothing to do with it. He said he had toll
stories enough about it, but he would tell the trut
fIaf LoI Al L. L =
nothing about it.
Odoh ~ Ihayg.-I went to the Jail last June to see
Knowlton. | told him, wanted to know the trutl
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 any one else knew
any thing about the murder
Stephen Arnod.-I went to Richardson's house about
noon the 3lst Of January. Prudence Arnold was my
| cousin. knowlon was lying the kitchen floor, and
Prudence was in the hall. said till night ] assist
Ell Knowton wash and change his clothes. He said
he should have killed the GIRL if it had not been
for the cider and Ephraim Thayer l think I heard
him. afterwards, assign some other cause, but cannot
recoect what it was.
IAomas AldricI-On being CALEB said he understood
the adjourned to TO- which was the carsc Of
not being here when first called. Is constable in Tx
bridge Was at Richardson about noon On jan ST.
Saw knowlton in the kitchen, and the girls BODY ii
tie hal. In the evening atenQeu Tic inquest held
on the body and had some conversation with the or
oner. had the razor in my hand and have it with
me. 1.-THE razor here produced. 1t was still
s,ncared with blood1 held it up and asked him if II
was his. He said it ] asked him If he cut Pru-
dcnce Arnold's throat with it He said he did. |
asked him if it was the one he cut his own with He
said it was not any thing else. Said was 50 duh that
il hurt him so that lie could not cut his own throat SO
7ectualv as he did Prudenee's. If it had been his
other razor he coud have done it SO it would have
said put said il was his intention kill Prudence
when he called her up stairs. asked him the cause
and he said ssove and jealousy would cause to
do almost any thing
Cross E1aillaatien. Knowon assigned no other
cause for the raarder at that time. When brought
him to the prison, he said he should have been
there but for cider and 1hayer. | brought Knowlton
in the cars, and walked from the station to the prison.
He was not bound. He said, on the way, if it was
much farther, he must stop and rest When the key
was turned upon him m the cell, he exclaimed, sob
God! cannot stay here, help me- help me'' He took
hold of the door crates and shook them. told him
he was now beyond my authority. Mr.. Mathews told
him 10 lie down and be quiet and went in and put him
on the bed. WhenI was leaving, he told me if | saw
Thayer, to ask him to come and see him. Iw said
Thaycr was as guilty as he was.
The Attorney General here rested the cause, resery
ing the right if putting in rebutting testimony if the
course of the defence should require it.
The defence was then opened by j. w. Weihercl,
ESQ. After laying down the legal principles applicable
to the case he proceeded to say that the prisoner
born in Holston, and had been brought up under very
circumstances, without much education not
knowing how to write His father was drunkard AID
died intoxicated. The prisoner then became pauper
Z IL H.