The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19
Tragedy at the 81. Lawrence Hossl--Mur-
der Of a Bank President.

Prom the Philadelphia Gss.e of THURSDAY.
The quiet and good order of the above hotel
was broken up yesterday by the murder Of
Mr.. Richard Carter, President of the An
thracite Bank OF Schuylkill county. by
man named Thomas Washington Smith,
who is travelling agent for lie Bows Re
view. The affair was one Of extreme sud
dennss. The prisoner simply entered the
front sitting room, where the deceased was
seated in conversation with his nephew. No
other persons were in thelroon al the time.
The nephew retired upon hearing the Prison
er request an interview with his uncle, few
moments after the the prisoner drew re-
vclver and fired al least four bullets into
Mr.. Carriers body. The deceased expired
with single groan, his heart being com
pletely perforated by II bullet.
The prisoaer passed into the street, where
he was followed and arrested When this
occurred be surrendered to the officers Il re-
volver and bowie knife, and suffered himself
TO be led quietly 10 the Central Police
station. The knife is u formidable weapon.
The blade is ten inches in length. Il il
cased in d red morocco sheath, upon which
is written:
Thos. Wash. Smith, DE Bows Review y.
O., La, and Washing Oh, ID. {.
The pistol has every appearance Of beng
new, Ii is IA superior six shooter of Cots
patent. But one ball remained in il at the
time Of lis surrender.
At o'clock he was brought before AID.
Eneu for examination. At the conclusion
the prisoner requested leave to make state
mcnt saying that he had committed homi-
eide, and should like to state the reason
why he did So The Alderman, however,
desired him not to say anything which
might further commit himself and said that
be- preferred not TO hear it.
Upon searching the prisoner nothing was
found upon him excepting asmall key. lie
was then committed and taken in carriage
to Moyamensing prison.
The deceased, Mr.. Richard Carter, was a
member OF the coal mining firm of Il. * J.
Carter at ramaqua, where they own eX-
teHsive coal mines, a store. &c. He was
also president Of the Tamaqna bank he
was an Englishnan by birth, and commenced
twenty-five years ago as laborng miner,
from which position he gradually arose to
his present standing. lie was man Of re-
markably fine personal appearance, and
weighed over two hundred pounds.
The prisoner is man Of stout build.
swarthy complexion and coal black hair and
whiskers. He is about thrty-three years
Of age. He says that his place of residence
is Cecil county, Nd, and that he has All
uncle and sister living in New Castle. Della
ware. lie claims to have numerous friends
/ in pI4 10 q is hot lao
some time ago, became acquainted with a
young lady who was the inmate Of n semi
nary in place which he does not name
He became deeply attached to her, and
learned that she was the ward Of Mr.. Car
ter, and an heress also. lie made the ac-
quaintancc Of the deceased who fully gave
him permission TO marry the girl, corrobo-
rating her story at the same time in every
particular. They were shortly afterwards
married, when he (the prisoner) took his
wife to her home in Maryland -Four months
afterwards, be states. she gave birth to a
child the paternity Of which she, after much
solicitation, acknowledged to be attributable
to the deceased.
He also alleged that while his girl was at
school as his adopted daughter. under the
proiesscd protection OF Mr.. e., there was
an improper intimacy between them, and
I that the child belonged TO Mr. G. lie also
learned that there had been an iici, inter-
course between his wife and Mr. &. since
i their marriage, on more than one occasion
and, having been cruelty deceived by man
( in whom he had placed the utmost confidence,
and smarting under the wrongs to which he
had been subjected he detrmiaei upon
rnge. lie expressed no regrets or fears Of
the responsibility incurred by the perpetra-
ton Of such terrible deed
He expressed desire that ". &. Town
send, Esq, should be sent for, as be had
consulted him upon the subject. Another
! legal gentleman who was in the Office during
the Investigation, said the deceased had
clile'i upon MIN, few ,iays ago, ami con-
suited him in regard TO divorce. lie did
no, think at their interview. tina, Smith had
the remotest idea Of committing murder.
lie states that, in their conversation yes
to-day he asked Mr.. Carter TO take some
measures TO blot ont bis lthe prisoners dis
grace that the prisoner told him il was no
disgrace, and that he himself intended TO
visit the prisoner sister. This Smith con
sdered as uncomfortable, and shot him upon
the spot.