The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-30
Confession OF q Murderer who Perpetratcil
lhc Crime Seventeen Years Ago
Er0rr thop ilsd aIn Ia ,llaf


tho Crime seventeen Years Ago,
From the Phadelphia Bulletin, August 20
Edward, alias Peter Cra Word, better Known as
the Irish Niger, was taken before Mayor Conrad
this morning, on the charge Of killing Francis Tum
bksoD, colored man, about seventeen years ago.
Crawford is thick set, fol faced colorei man. and
witnesses were sworn, who gave testimony in regard
to the circumstances Of the mans death, when
Mayor Conrad addressed the prisoner and asked him
u he had any statement to make. He cautioned
taken down and used as evidence against him in the
court, and before the jury that would try him for
his life. The witness replied taat he understood
him, and then made the following
Well, sir, on Friday evening had been to brick
yerd; there was . gentleman there named Joln
Oler who had some hogs to kill and clean; he saia
wrn's you come aud help me9' said would;
came from the yard on that evening and went over
to Mr. Thompson's shop; there was man there
named Peter Spencer, who is now dead l disrc-
asked him for the knife or not; knew it vas
hixzen; on Satuy day mo, ming after got my break
fast, and had safen driDh, which generally take
Ing, hs Ssn e the ysd sc
being Well acquainted With him, they set ont the
bottle and ] drinked; well, SIR, cnme in, and Vas
knocking around Birds Court and Locus: street;
had taken several more driDksAhew many can't
tell; we'll, sir, don't know whether II was sunset
or not, It was very nigh sunset; disremember
when Peter Spencer says to me, Pat, won't You
70 have '%s s nS T sd no fHom
where he was going; after we bad got to this place,
where this CURED, he said, !" Pat, come In
here;" this Frank was IN there, and also the man
eating around; be said, Pat, won't You have some
thing 70 eat" after We got done eating, We looked
around In The stall; l seed pack or two OF
cards IN there; Peter says, Come, Buys, let's
game, and We commenced att : BIT; found him
cheating; we than quit Playing, and then come
back up home in Birds Curt; made my home
pretty much. with Peter Spencer; after knocking
around awhile, taking two or three drinks, We goes
across to Mr.. Thompson shoe shop, ssross the
street. and, well rs can recollect, Jacob Beans
was there, man By the name Of Samuel Cooper,
got notion 70 go down 70 the cellar; I think the
name 81 the keeper was Fred Douglass; We sits
down and commenced playing; Hen Duffy was one,
Frank fumbeson was another, Peter spencer was
played many games before I found Frank cheating
again; ct that We quit, and commenced smart dis
pufe; FrNnk blows ont the candle; started TO-
wards the cellar door; went up to top Of the steps
stopped down at the stove, and picked up billet Of
wood about two feet long, IL was sawed for the
stove; was standing In tbs direction (his right side
towards the cellar doorl q soon - he got up within
"a wen - could; the nails win show now where he
cut me On the bead; my hat was cut through; he
was 80 clo.e TO me thas1 struck him in the pit Of
the stomach with my 6st; being n great passion
and liquor the thoughts Of his striking mo with Q
chunk, . third larger man than me- drew the knife
out OF my pocket, opened IT, and cut him; crowd
coming up they didn't know who done IL; SOMEBODY
gave kick In the side; some oce said "there Pat
that mans whipped" and situ that jumped on OF
him; i went on home TO Peter Spen ser's; Peter
came home and found me in the bed room whsre
slept; says he Pa. You can't stay here you'd bstser
gee away" did mt know yet that be dead ser
tain; II had known IL would have immedis'cly
given M sell up; there plenty Of sufficient Wit.
ono who would tell the truth on each side; this Ia all
that have TO say about the Transaction.
TIE witnesses were neid 70 appear, and the accus
ed WAS committed TO await bis trial.
We have q siight recolec ion o, murder. At
the time II caused nos . little excitsneuG If oar
memory serves us II as perpetratei Ia IN. later
part Of the month Of October or early in November
In the tear 1887. fFa