The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-31

EXAMINATION or WILLIAM W. WEBSTER, AT CHE
TERTowN, ON CHARGE OF THE MURpER-u

Vne Aemt COunty (4d Massacre.
EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM W. WEBSTER, AT cHEs-
TERTowN, ON CHARGE OF THE MURDER-IiIS
CoMMITTAL TO PRISON.
From the baltimore sun. March 2sl
William W. Webster having applied for writ OF ha-
bess corpus. brought out for examination Wed
nesday the charge Of having participated in the muir
der Of William Cosden and family.
The following 10 substantially the testimony, as given
during the investigation
Dickinson Webster boy about IA years Of age nephew
Of the prisoner and brother Of Mrs Coscn testified
follows - lived with Mr. Cosden at the time Of the
murd, r he he inst finished his supper and sitting
ut the...r, when shot through tbs window, and
cosden fell Ia, ladies rrcamed; almost instantly the
door broken open, AL The man rushed in witness
him take aim at Amanda cosden; aud then Wit
ness ran of the room; Mr.. Cosden had come up to
Websers where witness lived short time before the
murder; had been living with Webster two or three
years: Cosen said that he had come to take home
with him; did not wish to GO and cried Mr. Goshen
and his family not in the habit Of visiting at Web
sers had not seen my sister Mrs cosden since las.
that he would have stuck his sword in him ii he
had taken him (the witness) against his will when Cos.
den said he wanted witness to with him Webster said
he might 90 II he wished
By dcfenccCosdrn said, the second visit, that he
would take and carry out; Mrs. Webster said to
cosden dom take him Mrs Webster fixed his clothes
before he went witness told the black boy at Cosdcns
the threat made by Webster but did not tell Cosden
VIM H. Webster. (called for the state 1.-The prisoner
l. his hafuncle; the previous witness, Dickinson Web
ster is the brother Of witness witness had converse
ton last winter year. with the prisoner about Dckn
prisoner sad that when witness to farming he
would want the boy; prisoner then laughed and said
that whoever took him should not prosper prisoner lives
mile and half from Voches mill, and six and hak
miles from cosens; witness prisoner at the funeral
sunday mornings he was to have been there Satur
day morning prisoner had been sick weeks before;
upon hearing Of the murder, witness Immediately
thought Of the remark Of Webster that should
prosper who took the boy but still thought that Web
stcr could not have the heart to have engaged in the
murder witness had conversation since the threat
TO its meaning; did not Webster between the
boys removal and the murder. Mr. Cosdcn said
the boy stayed month and did not like it. he
night return; on the second visit Cosien Dor
rowcd dirk from Browne at Caldwens in the forest
and returned it as he came back witness mentioned
the threat made by Webster to many persons the day
after the murder; Cosdcns wife wished to the boy
before the threat; Webster said the boy might his
sister witness complained to Webster that tho boy
n properly clad Cosden a remarkably quiet
cs not know that Miss Webster (sho was muricrrd)
ID any of falling with the prisoners she said
that she wanted to the boy; Cosdcn said to witness
before the second trip, You had better get Kenials
revolver had conversation with Webster ut the
funeral Webster said nothing to him. gentlemen pre-
sent invited Webster to the dead bodies; Webster
said he cold and warming himself at the kitchen
fire. witness heard Webster say II bad piece OF
work: Co-en. the second trip, said he intended to
bring the boy Cosden said Il don't know that he il
that Kind Of man. but am going to be ready Coslen
asked Browne if he had pistol Browne said he had
something better and loaned him the dirk Cosden said
he didn't know that he a man likely to do violence
hut would bc prepared: witness never told Webster or
any one else about the knife
Henry Mitchell (for the state)-Resiies at George
town Cross Roads; in Delaware Friday after the
murder; invited prisoner To the funeral Saturday
witness him at funeral sunday in the kitchen
i
room. and the fourth up stairs when Webster
went in he stood the opposite side of the
the bodies; Webster said nothing about the murder;
witness told Webster he ought to satisfy the people BY
comirg down to the funeral; the arrangement post
ronirg the funeral changed about Sa-
turday witness told Webster on Friday that he
Suspected Webster replied that he could have the
heart TO do II; signs Of grief in Webster during
the fun, rail- witness and Mr. Crished brought Webster
to Chcstcrtuwn after his arrest witness said salts
fed that you didn't do IT, but the people think that you
instiga,cd it, Witness said that he had money
poy men for such purpose that he was poor man;
Webster asked what they would do with who in
stigatcd murder; witness said they would hang him:
asked what they would do IL turned States evil
d,nce; witness remarked that he could tell why they
murdered Co-dcn-ths he had money: Webster did
not seem sick Friday looked confused on sunday;
manifested no grief Witness prisoner AT Black Bird
about II O'Clock Friday. Prisoner did not say OF
What time he heard Of the murder; showed resent
when told II the murder asked him on the way to
Chetero9n what would be tho result If a turned
states evidence. Witness the first at Cosens
house after the murder; the house dark and witness
called 10 Cosden three times to know whore he was
tuden said. know you. Henry witness pulled him out
from under the bed and b. him; Co.dcn said he
wanted somebody to talk to; said he had very little time
TO live akcd witness to take care Of his youngest child
then lying in the cradle. When witness got to the house
Golden said. Come income in, for Gods sake There
i II, ing hut me- Said he supposed his wife
dead witness asked who J. that lying there" Cos
den said That l. Amanda" Cosdcn said he did not
know Who did IL; :. l don't think have u enemy: /
don't think II Roberts the L. about my size;
but one hut heard others talking outside" Cos
den sail Every time breathe I feel the wind coming
ont Of my body The motive in inviting Webster the
funcial was not to dccoy him into Maryland. Webster
trmil while talking to witness; witness told him the
Impression In MARY land that hc nsgatcd H. asked
h-ter To- take drink. but lac refused witness said 70
Nachel that IL strange Webster did down
saturday Nachcll said that he would ascertain the
did not hear Webster say that the sickness Il his
child prevented lii coming In coming to chcstertovn
Webster sad he had no money To employ persons to do
such deed. Webster not agitated when witness
talked with him sunday.
George yickers Esq here stated tina, days after
the murder parcel IL money (sl47) was sent to him
as IA. # Webster III had becn by Wpbsfrr
after his to his wife but lost by the bearer the
rad There also receipt Tor $50 paid for rent by
webster; Webster explained the manner Of his sending
the money
Edwin ,'fousli (for State )-on sunday morning at
funeral Webster pointed cut to witness and he
requested 10 srrct him witness got To the funeral about
nine O'Clock; Webster looked uneasy and frightened: did
net lock rcved; when arrested Webster tainted This
wac out ~ door. and the day was cool
John {. Van Dy kc (fur state -Wncss lives In Black
Bird. Webster Friday. just after he charged;
john Webster had previously talked with the prisoner
mbcr whether Webster expressed any in.
dignation; witness aud Mr.. Van Pcct, thought that
Webster stood the charge WE'LL Webster seemed
hurt than fffghtcncdi raw no strgtgrrs about Black
Bird NJ the time ~ the murder
Oho CrisHcd (for State D-COrrobnrDtes Mitchell M
70 the conversation with Webster on the way to Chester
John Browne (for state This witness lives at Cold.
Vile in The forest. and keeps ,torcwas committed to
jail few days since charge If stealing wheat Upon
his rerson found note In about the following
Mary browne John Browne lie says lac l. going to
Nh them to.night wants 10 help HIM: You are my
fri.nds and may tell you; II you don't mind he will
kiii you The man 1. Abram Taylor" There l. no date
The witness states that he found thi. note In hi- shop
b'wttr two barrels: could not read H. showed Il 10 his
wife and several other persons among them Abram Tay
lar Taylor laughed at Il n n joke.
Here the evidence closed and the court npon dclibe.
ration r,mandcd the prisoner to jail saying the
time that they Thereby expressed no opinion to hi.
guilt y innocence Heron and Ford two of the par
ties Under arrest then released the State prVluc-
ing prof against them but recognized appear
witnesses Ia May next