New-York daily tribune., 1857-10-02
An UNEXAMPLED CAREER OF CRIME
Trial Of Townsend, the Murderer and Robber.
STRANGE QUESTION OF Personal IDENTITY.

Our readers have noticed in tho recent Canadian correspond
Of THETRBuNE several references the trial Of Towns
send the murderer rather of the alleged be Towns
end at Csyuga Haldnard County, C. W. The case Of
unusual interest, and accordingly translate the following
summary narrative Of from the Pays the weknown Fronch
paper Of Montreal
William Townsend was born at Black Rock, near
Buffalo. His father was carpenter, AMI enjoyed
good reputation. His affairs not proepering az he
could have wished, Le settled, with his family at Can
field, near Cayuga. There he died, and his widow
married again. II was there that his con began to
make himself known.
lie was employed as workman on the Welland
Canal ard readily earned his livelihood. But al:
though not given to drunkenness, Townsend Eassed
for good for nothing. He norOse, irritable, and
bad frequent disputes with his companions. Some
times he would disappear for weeks together and at
length return with his pockets full Of silver In May,
1854, he Joined horde OF scoundrels who infested
IIamiltt n, and soon care to be their chief These
bandits resolved to operate in the country. Six 10
lumber named Woever, Lsttice, kiog, Blowes. Bry-
son and Townsend, they left the city. One Nelles,
who resided near the Talbot Road, some miles from
Cayuga, having. it was said, recently received con,
siderable sum of money they resolved to rob him.
Viewer seized with iemorse, quilted his companions.
but they kept to their plan Townsend was va armed "a
two of bis associates. On the 18th d October, 1854,
they stopped at the Graham Hotel. Bryson thought
of taking fight, but did not do SO, and toward even
ing the five men approached the residence OF Nc.
the road, taey rCobed them.
Night CINE; Townsend disguised himself with mus.
taches and false whikers made OF bunalo's HAIR Ihe
others were content with turning over their collars
Arrived before the door OF then victim I9wmena
knocked. Mr.. Nelles lived with his wife, hs brother,
bis sister inaw and bis children. Excent himself,
everybody under his roof was abed when rappiDg
was heard from without. lie went to the door. 1t
appears that Townsend entered alone, and that the
coor was at once shut behind him. What then took
= G1ll n Il.
inony of one Of his comrades, Townsend cried out
three times "Open the door or you are dead man.
However this may be, the report of firearms was
soon heard and Townsend then doubtless opened the
door to bis copraoes for Mrs Lucy Humphrey, sister
;u.law of Mr.. N'lles, being awakened and rising at
that instant perceived three persons in the house. and
a fourth who was keeping watch outside. hr. Nenes
was stretched upon the floor. lie, however, arose
and walked ar far as the rear door, when he fell.
"Where is your money :" asked one of the assas-
sins Of Mrs. Humphrey.
She, terribly frightened, made no answer. Towns
end then approached the bed Of Mrs Nelles, who
fembled, and IN her desperation pressed hcr young
"Where ia your money? Give it to mc before /
kill you, he cried with fierce gesture
The poor woman assembled grOaning to chamber
where quite large sum was deposited; they seized it,
as well as a watch hanging on nau. Then Town
send. approaching Mr.. Nellos, who still brea,hedI
although morally wounded, uttered these frishtial
words:
"Ah, you rascal, this will teach you to shut the
door in mans ia3e
Their crime completed, the brigands departed
Mr. Necs's brother at once In search OF physi,
clan. But he came too late-the wounded man expired
toward midnight
HIS murderers returned in hot.haste to Cayuga,
stopped at the Nelson House where they hired vehi-
Gle 10 take them TO the railroad station and went TO
Buffalo The next day awakened Justice was upon the
track OF Townsend whom rumOr had already pitched
upon the author Of the crime, although he was not
known by those who lived at the house Of Mr. Neles.
AA nj a1If fbn nj N
exit from Buffalo, while others secured the city.
Townsend however, succeeded in eyading their yigl-
leuce. lie at the Falls OF Niagara with his baad
wherce he went to st. Catherines where Lettuce and
he stopped some time, while King and Blowes returned
to Hamilton. go
They were closely pursued. The following Sunday,
Oct 90 news came that Townsend had departed In
carrisge for st. GATHERINGS, and was directing MS
stems toward Pelham. 1t is said that during THE Jour-
ney he was stacked by seven men, armed with mus
kets and that lie escaped by threatening to Kill the
first man that approached him. Holding psto IN each
hand he forced his aggressors to beat retreat ime
diatey the police of Cayugs ard Garfield started for
Pelham, and on the next Sunday evening stopped at
Welandport, some miles west Of Pelham. Bat the
next day Townsend was not to be tounc lie had en-
berked at St. GATHERINGS for Oswego The con:taoie,
named Flanders, was dispatched In pursuit OF him.
Townsend had taken passage on board the West
chester after having exchanged the watch stolen at
the house of Mr.. Nees for pistol and pair oil fur
gloves. Thebargan had been struck between him and
Mr.. MCSOy, VINO ptilsutu III tuO ioEV SoseStoP"S "
the Desjaidins Bridge.
Flanders sent tee graphic dispatch to the Chief eli
Police at Oswego. Then he took a steamboat Tor that
place and landed there before the Westchester ar
rived When she did come 10 port, they raked her
from stem to stern, but could find nothing of Town.
send. The captain, on being interogated, mentioned
having seen man board whose DESCRIPTION CORE
spondcd 10 that Of the murderer and added that he
had as they passed Port Dalhousie, leaped upon a
boat which was sailing toward Kingston.
A lite while aiterward Consta oes leoaTd Of Brsnt.
fo,d aud Flanders of Garfield arrested Bowes with
the aid of the Hamilton police. Hing was captured
near that city ard BryGon some 20 miles north OF
Toronto. An th,ee were tired end condemned to
death. The frst two were huIg at Cayuga the pen
atty of the third computeo "a perpetual inpIson-
ment in conside eraton Of the disclosures which he
made.
robbery AZ the house Of Mr.. Graiuer near Port Rob
jusop who pursued the robber and came upon him a.
,be house OF a widow named Jordan. Sure tn st no
was at her house, Mr.. Graicer went for constabe
and poiuted Townsend out TO him. The constable,
named RitcLie arrested the assassin at the door oil
ler house. . , -, H.. 49,,
.Unhand me or / sliail shnot," said Townsend,
struggling and drawing pistol from his pocket.
Richie attempted to drag him along; Townsend re-
poated his alternative and finding that the constaoe
did not release him. blew bis brains out. tie then ran
of a. fast as his legs could carry him, striking ior the
canal.
We lose sight Of Townsend thcrceforth until the
itants Of London, Markham Woodstock, etc, CON-
planned OF numerous depredations which msny per-
soIs attributed to him.
II is probable tlat Townsend Joined the troupe Of
Van An.buTgh Stone. Bryson declares that he was
great soept IN RymnaSto exercises. In August 1912
Flan6cts, learning that "his man" was at Keokut
vly far out West, pursued him as far as AleIands.
Buf Townsend was always off AZ the very moment in