New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-10-12
IS HE TOWNSEND OR MeHENRf'

We were informed BY telegraph night before last
tina. second trial Of the person alleged To be VIM.
Townsend, the murderer, of whose career we gave
sketch few days sgo, but calling himself Robert j.
McHenry, had been postponed in order TO procure wit
nesses flom California. We find in The Hamltoa
Baaaer come interesting particulars concerning this
nost curious question of identity. The reporter of
that iournu writing from Port Robinson, Welland
County where the murder for which this second tral
WAS 10 have taken place. was committed, says:
81 arrived here last night, and this morning pro-
oeeded 10 the spot which has acquired so much no.
toyety from having been the scene OF the daring mar
der of Constable Richie by the notorious highway
man ard murderer, William Townsend. The British
Hotel Of the door Of which the murder was com.
uitted ia kent BY Mrs. Jordan who Is usually styled
in this locality Widow Jordan. On arriving here
found John Isles of Cleveland, the person who ar,
relted the prisoner McHeny; | also found Mr. and
Mrs. Fleming, who, was Informed, are prepared to
swear that the prisoner McHenry the person who
shot Richie. Mrs. Fleming, it appears, while attend
ing the table at which Townsend ana his companion
took supper on the evening in question: saw brace
OF pistols in TovrseDds pocket, and went away IN
alarm. Subsequently Constable Richie arrived
ard while Townsend was standing ia front
ss.s sS him S" With he murder ~sna S N Placing f
| haro on Townsends shoulder Townsend repeatedly
| told him to leave go, or he was dead man, and
ultimately sbo: hin. The murderer and bis companion
them. This took place shortly after dark. Fleming,
| am informed il prepar, TO swear that he was an
eye witnef to this and further that the man who shot
Ritohe the person now In Jail st Menityille and
who calls himself Mcilenry Mr. Hes says there are
10 or II other witnesses, but where they are or wins.
they are prepared to to- 'dapOnent saith not
From al learn here, however 1t ID very ques-
tonsbe whether any one actually saw the shot nredi
and the general bslefsmons those have spoken with
Is. that the prisoner who stands charged With the
crime ia rot Townsend nor any one like him. la fact
10 use sugar phrase, they have got the wrong pig
By the ear this time
The sane reporter writing from Me,ritville, C. W.,
vhile the trial was to have taken place, says:
a story is sfoat that two men have come from
Cincinnati Ohio. 70 arrest the man McHenry, II he
escape verdict Of guilty here for murder In Cncin.
natl. in which he is implicated. have tined To ind
out whether there is any truth in the runor but have
not been able to discover any such parties, and am
inclined TO think that the story is pure fabrication
The belief that the prisoner is Townsend 10 last giving
way to the conviction that he il quite another msn.
But numbers CT people seem to think that because ne
will Lot brig forward testimonials OF character and
responsibility that he ought to be hung. have no
| doubt however but that they would repent OF this
before they had their desire carried into execution.
yesterday the prisoner was visited by some scores
he propeller Victoria late Of the PoShsttao, who
recognized him as McHenry, who one OF his sailors
| on board the brig Powhattan in 1852.
Several parties who have visited the prisoner as.
II
and ooueomess but yesterday the prisoner gave
what consider positive evidence that he has resided
| in Scotland Amorg others who visited him was VIII
| Lam Wright, esq, ex-Reeve Of Thorold Township,
who il Scotcbman, and who hiss resided in the same
place which the prisoner states he left for Canada in
the year 1887 The prisoner says that previous to this
he resided at the village of Camelachie the Glas-
| Cow and Edinburgh road. Mr.. Wright being &C.
qusinted with several parties who kept stores there,
ssked him who kept the store on the corner OF the
principal street. He replied without hesitation, Mr..
Smiley Er Wright said that correct. The pris-
then esked the name of the person who kept
the dug store the opposite eide Of the street. This
also was answered correctly. MIR. Wright is con-
vpced, and We think every else, who has au IN
biased mind, mus be, that the prisoner is not
Townsend, and that his statement, that his name
| is Robert j. McHerry, the. son of Glasgow
weaver, was perfectly correct The prisoner also
| added that he was born in Port Egint0n, Scotland;
| that be never had been in Canada before he was
brouet. mere as the prisoner Townsend except one
occasion when the vessel which be sailed the Pow
betan) Yves run ashore at the mouth Of the Grand
nver, and few weeks spent in Quebec and Montreal
when be frat came to this country q, an emgrant.
The prisoner has had an interview with Justice ORA
per- and he complained bitterly Of not obtaining his
dismisssl on the jury at Cayuga. The Judge desired
him 20 establish mis- identity, or he could not give him
much bOpe Of speedy release from gao. 10 his de-
meanor the prisoner IL calm and seif-possessed Yes
| terdsy he amused himself by playing at cards with
other of the prisoners He fluent and fearless in
conversation. and is evidently man OF considerable
intelligence"