The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-08-13

A SELF-CoNFEssED MuRDERER--A Singular
| and Romnntic Story-John Lawler. soldier 10 the
United States army, was arrested on Saturday by
officer Masterton of the Chiefs office, under cir
cumstances of very singular nature. 1t appears
| that on Friday last Lawler, who was Bedloes
IsaDd, in the United States service sent note to
the Chief of Police, informing him that he knew of
| a murder having been committee d. and offering to
reveal all IL an officer was sent to him
| Mr.. Matsell, supposing the Information had some
reference to the late mysterious murder In Broad
/ way, -deputised officer hasterton TO ses LAWYER
and learn what he had to communicate. Accord
ingy the officer proceeded to the island, where be
found Law Ter, young man about 26 years of age.
| who, on being questioned. told . story which. If
true, abundantly veriHes the old adage that truth
| ia stranger than fiction"
Lawler stated that in 1852 he was q schoolmxater
| in the town of Rathdrum, county Of Wicklow, Ire
| land. While holding that position he became
| quainted with young girl named Mary Dunn, with
whom be kept company for some time, and one
night after having made improper proposals to her,
| which she Indignantly repelled. he vioisted her
person. then murdered her and threw the body
| into the river. The corpse was found 4 few days
afterw ards, and the fact of her being murdered
made apparent. but the perpetrator of the fearful
deed was unknown. But while the officers of the
law at fault, the c,Dstisnce of the murderer
not; and he imagine that every one who
look ed at him knew his dreadful secret This at
length became iBsupp0rtabe, and he fled the town
aud came to the United States, whore he landed In
the year 1853 But distance from the scene of his
misdeeds did not allay his terror and the unhappy
man became impressed with the belief that the
spirit of his murdered victim haunted bim
Day and night the fearful vision before his
eyes and no employment could Danish II from his
mind. At length he joined the United States army;
but he lived In such constant sate OF terror from
his supposed spectral visitan' that be determined
TO make clean breast of IL, and, by confessing
his crime. obtain some peace aud quiet On bear
ing this strange story, the officer arrested him, and
on application to Justice Connolly had him COM
mitted, end he is now in the lookup" in the City
Hall, awaiting examination There is q suspicion
that the man is crazy, but Sergeant Owen, who Is
educated there--testfes that Lawler Ia thoroughly
conversant with the place. and the story he tells Is
very direct and clear, The prisoner Ii young
man, q fine penmaD. and evidently well educated.
To-day there will doubtless be further deveope-
ments OF this singular affair r-NeD York Herald.
VIRGINIA PosT OFFICES The Postmaster Gen!
eral orders the following establishments.
Prospect Valley, Harrison county, Jessea Flow
ers postmaster; Cypress Island, Allegheny coanty.
John Stack postmaster; Mil Fork, Greenbher
county, Michael Hudson postmaster
t, DiscoattnHanees -woodlxwn, Appomattox co:
Rogersville, Halifax county; Whiteday Grades,
Marion county.
Appointments TO Fill Pacanries Created by RssiS.
nation --Neversoa X Joyner postmaster, Branch
vile, Southampton county, vice w A yoyner;
Hezekiah b Miller postmaster, Mingo Flat, Ran.
dolph county, vice VIM II. Wilson; Arthur W.
Bowler postmaster, Leon. Madison county, vice II
n Tat1m; James Robinson postmaster, Glade
Spring, Washington county, vice Orr; Thomas
l. Cralle postmaster. Concord Depot, Campbell
county, vice II r Arrip~t"n
The United States friyaie Congress was at Glib.
raltar JnIy 21st.