The republic., 1851-01-30
Local Matters.
THE CAMPER CASE.

II ID not our purpose 10 revive any portion of the
controversy to which this gave rise; but
plain and truthful statement Of the affair is called
for, and may be briefly given. II was intcn-
ton Gas stated at the time) to report each days
proceedings during the progress of the trial. but
the request made by the court that THE should
not be done. and we acquiesccd in its wishes,
solving ultimately to give the entire report to the
public. II soon, however. became apparent that
the length of such report would render this imprac-
ticable and we do all we toward gratifying the
popular desire when we furnish every thing essen
tal to right understanding of the case, in the
form Of an authentic narrative.
Camper is young man, apparently but little over
twenty y-one, though probably twenty five TWEEN
ty- six years old He is of low stature, stout ofsu
len look. with contracted forehead and face. head
and neck indicative Of grossness and sensuality.
His conduct and character have been uniformly
bad. He has been repeatedly concerned in riots
and deeds Of violence. His time, except while at
work at his trade Of coachmaking, has been passed
in the company Of the wicked and licentious---thc
bar-room and engine house being his usual places
ofrcsort. There existed party oflow and depraved
youths, Of which he and Clarvoe, the principal
witncss against him, were prominent members.
On the evening of Sunday, the 18th of August
last, there was alarm of fire, and tho apparatus
Of several of the fire companies was brought out.
There proved be fire; but, instcad OF returning
to the engine houses with the apparatus those who
bad it in charge came in conflict on the Avenue,
and battle took place, and Camper, Clarvoe, and
others Of their party, were engaged in it The
fight led to no fatal very serious results and the
combatants did not feel Satisfied. Another meeting
was evidently desired by many, and,
strange coincidence, a real fire occurred before
midnight. Camper and his companions were at this
and signalized It's very commencement by quar-
relhng with certain members of another company
about the right to firc-pug In this row Camper
was heard TO declare that he would that night
"kill some one or spile.". This quarrel was, how
ever adjourned the fire continued to spread, and
there was work to do When the fro was nearly
over, the attention OF tho Mayor and his officers
wao called 10 Camper and his companions, who
were again becoming disordcrly. A kniio had
been drawn by one of them, who spoke of having
been struck in the early part of the night, and who
declared he would have revenge; and, upon the
testimony Of a credible witness, by Camper himself
also.
Soon after this it given out that Schad
was treating at his tavern, the same side OF the
street with the fire. and about a square from H.
Camper and Clarvoe went TO Schad's and
found many others there. They entered through
the alley, the only way Of access the occa-
sion, and thence into "A door at the adc Of the
house opening into back room. Camper had
been drinking pretty freely before, though Clarvoe
did nut think him drunk, and he drank here again.
When about to leave the house he behaved rudcly