Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-10
The New Haven Murder.


We published last week an account of the
recent murder in New Haven. We have since
received the New Haven Palladium, which
contains Slys confession -
" He says that his sister, Mrs. Wakeman,
was so distressed with the bad spirit or power
in Matthews, that he thought something must
be done to remove it, and he consulted with
Jackson in regard TO using a stick of hazle-
wood on Matthews, to see what effect it would
have upon him. He had procured stick of
that wood few days previous, in anticipation
that II might be necessary TO use it for the
purpose-as he thought the bark of hazle, in
connection with alder, concocted together into
tea, was powerful to remove entertainments.
lhls stick, which was about an inch in diam
eter, and TWO and half feet in length, he had
placed in drawer in the cellar, and when he
talked 10 Jackson about using it, J. inquired
where he kept it. Sly informed him, and
went and brought it into the lower rear room,
where Jackson and the woman Hersey were,
and they knew when he went into Matthew'S
room with it.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Sanford went up stairs,
preparatory to taking Matthews away, Sly
went into the front room to Matthews, and at-
ter locking the doors, struck the deceased who
was sitting in chair, blinded, over the right
temple, with such force as to bring him TO the
floor, and then struck him several times with
the club. He then took pocket knife, which
is some two inches in length, and commenced
cutting Matthew'S throat. Matthews groaned,
but dd not utter word after the first blow.
Sly also took tlble-fork, with which and
the knife, he mutilated the body in the manner
in which it was discovered. He says he did
not design TO use any other weapon than the
bludgeon, but after he had given the blows,
was urged on by some influence TO use the
knife and fork
After the murder, he remained locked in the
room half an hour, when he came out into
Miss Hersey's room, where she was with the
| bloody stick and a light in his hand. His
hands and shirt sleeves were bloody, and she
procured basin and water to wash himself,
and they conversed about secreting the stick,
and he then placed it down cellar. His shirt
sleeves were then torn off, and the blpody
pieces burned in Miss Herseys stove, she
being present. He afterwards took the club
used, and cut it into three pieces, and threw
them down the privy vault, where he also put
the knife, He took up some of the blood from
| the floor and carried it away.
| He then went up stairs where the gather
ing was, and engaged in prayer. This is the
substance of his statement, he time and again
ayerring, that he alone was concerned in the
transaction. He also stated that Mr.. Wood
ing had gone home previous to the murder,
and that he had told neither his sister, Jack
son, or any one, what had transpired. He
acknowledged that he knew it was arranged
for Matthews to come there that night, and
for the purpose we have stated previously"
Sly has been committed 10 prison. Mrs.
| Wakeman has communicated to the jury an
account of her visit 10 the spirit world, after
| being murdered by her husband, some thirty
years ago. She says she saw the Saviour, all
the prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints, and
had realizing view of the home of the blessed,
and was then sent back to earth on her mis-
sion. She says she is 20 years old, and has
had Is children. Sly, her brother, is SO years