New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-31
ANOTHER BLOODY TRAGEDY IN THE
STATE PRISON.
From tie Bo,toa Journal. 3oA.

From tie Bostoa Journal. 5h.
Thus soon are we called upon to record the almost
incredible fact of another murder a. the Stdte PTison,
which occurred about half past three O'Clock yesterday
afternoon Just one fortnight 10 day since the MUIR
der of Deputy Warden Galen G. Walker in the same
Institution.
The victim Of the last atrocious act was the Warden
bimsef Scion H. Tenney who, in the first instance,
was stabbed in the Ieck by convict
TIE following the circumstances of this astound-
ing r,gedy which has fallen upon the Ears oil the
people Of this community with startling and almost
Since the tragic death of the Deputy Warden Of the
prison. increased responsibility has naturally de-
volved upon the Warden, Mr.. TenEey, who has been
in the habit of visiting the chops OF the prisoners
ottener than before HIS ordinary practice was to pass
through twice each day. ence In the enoon ana once
In the afternoon. In accordance wi this practlce. ne
was eiformipg his customary circuit yesterday alter
neon ard at 8! o'clock WAS passing through the up.
holftery shop, WHERE were employed 10 workmen
convicts,, and among them Charles Decatur
prisoner committed April "a, by order OF the Municipal
Court of Suffolk County for an sggrsYatea ana Gan,
gerous assault with bar OF iron OH Officer Sawyer OF
The House of Correction where he Decstur was sery-
ing a Term for the commission of larceny.
While passing through the upholstery shop, the
Warden paused moment to CONVERGE with ihe onlcef
in charge Mr. T. T. Deering), and aterward, In pro
ceedIng through the room, passed Inc Dencn Wnere
Decatur at work, who wn seen 70 Immediately
suspend his employment and follow the Warden This
who instinctvey sprsDg forward but before he could
arrest the progress of Decatur he had sprung from be-
bind at the neck of the Warden and plugged knife
under the right ear with such force as TO cause II 70
pro,ruce the other aide. Mr. Iepney fell aimoe' 10,
stantiy, without uttering word, but had time and
presence Of mind enough before going down TO draw
pistol from his pocket, which Was sf'er~srd taken
from his dying grasp.
BIN TO the floor when two Of the other prs 'ners In the
shop came to the assistance Of the officer and held
Decatur fast until lie vas loaded With roGs after
which he was conveyed to dungeon in the "arch'
A. soon az possible, Mr.. Deering caught the wound
ed Warden in his arms, at which iime tne o'ood was
hosing n a copijas stream from the fearful wound In
his neck, aud with the assistance Of one OF the IN
sruc ois and prisoner ma ned Edsard Cfowther bore
him Immediately to the hospital in the upper part OF
the OLD wing, where be ceased to breathe WITHIN very
few Mi utes after come apparent but inenecIua a.
tempts TO arculate. Acting Deputy w ARDEN Chalies
W. Walker, brother of the murdered Deputy, met tne
wounded man ON the stairs and received from ma
look of INTEL gence but was Immediately SUCCEEDED
closing of the eyes and shaking Vi inc head, Us o"su
life hao quite departed. ,
The CT pduct Of the prisoners in the upholstery shop
during the dreadful scene was most cOnnendapie.
They displayed little excitement and at the order OF
the officer In charge soon quietly resumed 'her em
Mr Tenney was a native of Lebanon, N. H., and
would have been SO years of age next feoruay nc
Prise last April. For the ten or twelve Years pre-
ced he had been officer If different grades in the
Boston Hcuse of Correction and Suffolk County Jail
being Clerk Of the latter the tne of his appointment
20 The ship of the prison In all these capaci
ties be had proved himself a most Trustworthy and
efficient officer and his swift and untimey death can
not Ut prove severe loss TO the n,tiu,ion, which
has 70 suddenly been deprived Of t chief oeer by the
helish act Of an inmate who had received nothing but
kiDoness at the hands of his victim.
Mr.. Tenpey had been married less than 70 days, and
had returned rvm his wedding tour but few days pre-
4. No. 80
fresh in the minds of most OF readers who will
recotct that he losened home TO attend the funeral of
BIS deputy in fice who came 10 his end under SINH
lar and hardly lees painful circumstances than those
above described.
Decatur tie author Of this hagitious deed is native
of KrteIy, Me-, and Is only 20 yesn of age lie is
described as being about fiv. feet I inches high and
eooc ookipg. He has been twice an inmate Of III,
House of Correction and sent there the fret time
at the age Of eighteen for larceny of money from the
ill Of store in which he was employed. He remained
there at that time year. duing which time bis con-
Cuot was exemplary that the officers were II called
upon 10 punish even reprimand him, but the con.
tray treated bin with Unusual favor.
The secoLd time, D,catur wss sert 10 the House of
Correction for breaking into uI Diture IN Dock
square; and il we seryng out this sentence that
he committed the assault on Officer Arson D. Sa xyer
for which he sentenced 10 the Size Prison Tor three
Year,, aid two days ro'iIary confinement. While in
tie II use Of Correction, Decatur threatened to take
the lie If the Master, Mr. R0bbins-a circumstance
MENTIONED BY Mr.. Robbins last Friday evening while
converting in relation to the recent previous tragedy in
the Stale Prison
D.ca'ur's ia her died in California about FIVE years
ago.
We have heard no possible cause suggested for the
ct muissi vi the dreedfI deed, except Of pos
sibe MURDER malta which alaost seegls TO have poe
re.s.d Il innate Of this inetitdton. Since learning
The above psrt u.rs we have been infrmsd that tas
L. not the fnt sfroy which has occurred there even
siDce the murder u Deputy Warden Walker; but hav.
ing no reisbie particulars at hand wlA reference "
tbir sffair we fofbear Say Ing more at present..
Stories anost in the prison ~ the es thst De-
estDr yesterday mon leg Significantly sss.d prisoner
named Mullen If the Warden was coming round that
.sy ana that be told anot0sr prisIner ma aed Thayer
II ~ there soud be fun before night. AT sr toe com
mission of the deed remarked that he hac been wat
INK days for this opportunity There sonth Dg,
too 10 thir act in connection with tae taIeas0Ing
handed To the Chaplain OF the prison by Asges, just
before be murdered the Deputy Warden, which locke
sI,ugly hike fearful and deadly obsriracy between
some Of the inmates. The mole alluded 10 read az
lOss:
Though Of 500 take heed TO yoGr sell for thy life
~ and Jou IL Dot has been taken In
oder Ia Bna the ey.s and there ALL Others Say 10th
ina 10 he NLrom ~ be would Behave 1-yert-ss he eIi
he fate ohhers thai oould and h. oil b. the
th Tor Judes AID bic ella. oh Rob
biz Isi,R in tse way sR god hC az
heTsn
Tie Instrument siih which the deed was done wa.
senn oD 'hSe knife, Wih blsie fVuT dnd three