The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-01
TIE GREENE COUNTY MURDERER.

SW.rreo Wood iAsntafaed as the Assassln-Hs
Corsession or Guilt-Retu,n ef the Prisoner
IN Greene COunsy-TremendOus ExoltcmeMt
among enc Peopie-The Prisoner Conmlttsa
for Txial-scenes and Incidents or Travel.
The excitement and sympathy manifested by the
people OF Greene county in behalf of the pedler,
Hiram Williams, who was shot down and brutally
naltreated by Warren Wood, on the 10th of August,
does not only exist in that county, but has else
where become the universal topic of conversation.
Passengers in railroad cars, steamboats,, &C., IN all
parts Of the country, heard strongly expressing
their opinion at the barbarous attempt to murder
defenceless pedler in the midday and that too on
public road, and within sight of several farmers,
who were moving in the neighborng meadows.
1t will be recoIlected from our previous pub
relations that the pedler described man as
the DC rson who committed the assault and rob-
berry, wearing the dress and bearing the description
of Warren Wood. The same description of
man was given by Mr.. Wilbur, who drove him
from Gayhead on that same afternoon to Catskill-
Wood having walked across the meadows and swamp.
distance Of four miles, from the of the
murderous assault. Mr.. Weeks, resident of Gay.
head to whom Wood first applied for conveyance
to Catsl1il, corresponds in the description Of the
prisoner. Wood was taken to Catskil Point, where
he crossed the ferry and took the way train Of cars
to Tivc, where be remained for the express train,
and then came direct to New York.
The reder was not killed but supposed to be NOR
tally wounded, one Of the balls from the revolver
having entered his back, passed through his body,
and was extracted by Dr. B. S. McCabe from the up
per part OF the abdomen, having passed in an
upper direction. Another ball had struck the
pedler's skull, near the temple, grazed oil, and
passed through the rim aud body of his hat,
producing merely Liberation of the scalp; after
these injuries the peder says he dragged to and
thrown Off bridge amongst some rocks. Wood then
dragged him into under the bridge and de-
manded his money. The pedler entreated for his
life, and handed him portmonnae containing be-
tween ninety and hundred dollars Wood then as
saulted him again, knocked him nsensble with
stones and pieces OF rock and fled the lots to
Gayhead, and proceeded to New York, as before
stated.
The description given by the pedler, and corro-
b0rating description Of WILDER and Weeks at Gay
head Of the appearance and dress Of the supposed
criminal, caused the inhabitants of Greenvle and
Durham to believe tnat Warren Wood was the man,
and accordingly several constables Of the townships
were called upon to 60 in pursuit One constable
applied to declined to 60, his wife having declared
that she would not be left alone fearful that
one might come into the house during his absence
and murder her, such was the existing feeling
throughout the neighboring townships.
UDaniel P Bennett, q constable of Cairo, voun.
tered to go in pursuit. A warrant issued by S. w.
Stewart, Justice Of the Peace residing at Jackson.
vile, was then given to Mr.. Bennett he arrived
in New York on Tuesday, the Esd of August. In.
formation was elected by Mr.. Bennett on the
Thursday following, that Wood was driving stage
from the South ferry, in Brooklyn, to place called
Bedford. This information was correct; but unfor-
tunately that very day Wood had left, under pre-.
text OF going to New York. Captain Ditchett, of the
Fourth ward police, associated himself with Mr..
Bennett ard with the aid Of third party the three
joined in the pursuit Of Wood.
1t low became very evident that Wood was very
uneasy in his mind and restless in his department,
being continually on the move, and much caution
became necessary lest should hes hear that inquiry
had been made respecting him, he would have then
fled to some other parts unknown During the days
of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, several times the
officers within ten minutes of his trail but not
daring to make inquiry continued to follow on until
they succeeded in making the arrest on Saturday
evening at house in Cherry street where he had
taken temporary board. The officers had watched
the premises all day, and on his coming to tea he
was captured.
A circumstance however, occurred, which came
near giving the criminal signal for Aight-a con.
stable from Albany was also in search of Wood and
in the vicinity Of Cherry street he arrested man
whom he said was Warren Wood, and took him to
the Seventh Ward police ST alton house and turned
a n mi I'd tba
liberated from custody. This constable then followed
in the wake Of Captain Ditchett and constable Ben.
nett, and would possibly have made some other
blunder which might have caused the escape of the
criminal therefore Captain Ditchett was compelled
% inform him that he must not interfere with them
that they needed none of his aid, and that he must
keep away, for if the accused escaped through him
he would arrest him for an interference The con-
stable then kept back until Wood was taken into
custody by Capt. Ditchett and Bennett hethen came
into the house and followed the prisoner to the sta
ton house.
The afternoon OF Sunday Wood sent word to Cap.
tain Ditchett that he wished to see him. and in the
presence Of Mr. Baker, one Of our reporters, Wood
condentiay disclosed his guilt. He stated that he
had been drinking on that day. that he had walked
good deal in the sun, and he scarcely knew what he
was about. lie met the pedler, and knowing that
they generally have money about them on returning
home, and being hard up for money myself, I
thought would rob him. I walked along with the
pedler for some distance, and when / shot at him
could not tell whether hit him or not. The pedar
fell, but was so confused scarcely know what
occurred. l shot two or three times at him. there
was, l think, but three barrels loaded. The pedler
banded me his pocketbook; / never asked him for
it, neither did pile any stones on him, or illnse
him. II he went of the bridge he must have fell off
himself: did not throw him of. II the peder saws
there was a hundred dollars in the pOcketbook ne
says what is net true; declare upon my oath, il
was to Die this minute, that there was only $50 in
the Doc K, the gold dust sold in Wall street. cot
FL 20 FOR it, After got the pocketbook felt so
confused and frightened that scarcely knew what
to DO Immediately took to the lots; threw the
when came to the swamp, opened the pocket.
boon toox out the money which counted, and there