Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-13
The Long Island Tragedy.

TRIAL OF THE MURDERER.-The murder Of
Wickham family, in Cutchogue, Long Island
is yet the theme of conversation on all parts oil
the island. Yesterday Mr.. VIM. Belts, of Cut
chogue, who has been interchangeable in render.
ing assistance to the bereaved relatives, and
also aiding in the capture of the murderer ar
rived in New I ork, and visited the aunt of the
prisoner, Mrs. Lynch, residing in East Thir-
teenth street. The poor old woman was found
in distressed condition, and seemed to sensi-
bly, feel the disgrace brought upon her family,
by her nephew committing so awful crime.
Mr.. Belts sympathised with the aged lady.
She replied: "Well, / am happy to say have
no children !" and continued: "there is no
doubt but the father and mother of Nicholas
are dead by this time" As there have been
enormously stated various names for the cul-
prit, his aunt was requested to give it correct,
and says it is Nicholas Beham, whose father is
named Patrick Beham. Mrs. Lynch states
that Nicholas came to New York from Mr.
Wickham's one week previous to the perpre-
tration of the horrid murder, and appeared
quite down-cast in countenance and depressed
in spirits. He had no baggage with him and
slept at his aunt's house for three nights in
succession, and left the city for Cutchogue on
Saturday, 9th of May. This is the last Mrs.
Lynch ever saw or heard of her nephew until
she read the account of the tragedy on Long
Island. She expressed no desire to visit Mich,
olas, but requested Mr.. Belts to take her step
son down to the jail and ask permission to see
the culprit.
1t has since been ascertained that there was
over $500 in the trunk of Beham before it was
taken in charge by Sheriff Phillips, and many
supposed that he robbed the trunk of Mrs.
Wickham of some $500. This will be further
traced out on the return home of Mr.. Belts, as
a key was found in the culprit's possession that
will probably fit the trunk of the murdered fe-
male.
The records have recently been searched by
the inhabitants of that place, and it is ascer-
tanned that this is the only murder that has
been committed in the town Of Southold during
the last two centuries.
Since the culprit has been confined in Jail
at Riverhead, numerous applications have been
made to the jailer for admission to see the
wretch, but in every instance he has refused
This is very right and proper, as it behooves
the Jailor to keep strict watch to prevent all
communication with the culprit, thereby put.
ting it beyond possibility of the fendish vii
lain effecting his escape. He has the audacity
to find fault with the keeper of the jail for not
giving him better food than the prison fare.
A novels about to be made by the people Of
Southold to procure an extra session of the
county court for the trial of this murderer and
it will probably be convened for the month of
July. Judge Strong will no doubt hold the
court and an application will be made to Gov
ernor Seymour to obtain Mr.. District Attorney
Blunt, Of this city, to conduct the trial in place
of the Suffolk county public prosecutor, who is
the brother of the deceased, James Wickham.
The services Of officer Bowling and Consta.
BILE Nesbitt seem to have been appreciated by
tho Long Islanders, notwithstanding the out
cry made by some of the persons engaged in
the search and capture They yesterday re-
ceived 800 as reward for their active exer
tions in aiding the people to search for the
culprit- - Times.