Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-12-23
prom TIC Hartford Tgmes.)


Terrible Tragedy in New Britain, Conn.
A foul attempt at robbery and murder was
made on Friday by four men in New-Britair.
The robbers entered the house of Samuel
Smith. situated some two miles north of the
village and attacked Smith with hatchet
and clubs, intending to murder him for his
money; two hired men came to the rescue
and bloody fight ensued, resulting IN the !
fight of the robbers, leaving the old man
Smith wetering in his blood. We have now i
to announce the arrest of three Of the robbers /!
and would be- murderers. and their trial be- |
fore Justices Court at New Britain The
fourth one has escaped. The examination
has developed facts Of an astounding charae
ter, that show this 10 have been one OF the
most deliberate and cold -bloeded schemes of
murder and robbery that was ever known.
The parties arrested were examined on Sat
urday night Their names are Edward Wes-
tower, American, twenty five years of age,
Edmund Gilbert, American, twenty-five years
of age; Frederick Fitch, American. twenty
five years of age. The fourth is Thomas
Yeusel, of New Britain, aged twenty-five,
who has escaped. SamueISmith, upon whom
the murderous onslaught commenced, isnear-
ly sixty years old. He is1z, bachelor, living
with his aged mother, and the common belief
for years past has ascribed to him the posses
sion of misers hoard of some thousands Of
dollars in hard con, locked up il strong
box which he keeps in his house. 1t was to
/ obtain this money that the scheme against his
life and others was planned and so nearly ex-
ccuted.
! Westoyer, in his confession, says that The
/ party of four had planned the murder and
robbery some ten days ago. 1t was arranged
( 10 kill Smith iirsG, ard then the Two Irish
! men, who were known to be present at the
( house, should also he killed if necessary
Disguised in slouched hats, which were slash
/ ed open a; the top SO as to admit Of being
drawn down over their faces leayin two holes
in front Of the eyes for sight, the despcradocs
approached the house. Looking in at the
shutterless windows, they saw Smith, seated
near the FIRE, and with no other light than
freight in the room, charming. Near him
we're the two IrisLlnen in his employ, crack
ing wanuts.
Il was arranged that Fitch should kill the
old man, and that Westover, Gilbert and
Yensel should take the irishmen. They open
ed the door, and without utterring 4 word
rushed upon the unsuspccting inmates OF the
house Fitch aimed blow at the old man S
head with hatchet, and the stroke laid bare
the skull. if it did not fracture ii. Covered
with MS blood Smith, whom the blow had
felled to the floor, sprung up and received tive
mere blows upon the head. The Ratchet was
dull or he would probably have been killed
at the first blow. The two Irishmeu were a
the instant set upon with hickory clubs, ant
one of them succeeded in opening his knife
which, however was shut upon him, cutting
lis ha0d and covering his assailanrs club viii
blood.
The Irishmcn resolutely fought with chairs
and to such purpose that Smiths life was 81
vcI-that is, if lie now receivers. One Of tn
IrisLmen, bruised and battered, finally csca
ped from the door, and shouted murder :
-whcrcupon the robbers, who would sool
have finished lis companion and Smith, turn
ed and fed The light was desperate on
on both sides. Ia tbe course Of it, locke
had been dropped or pulled from Wcstover'
pocket. Il was the picture of one Wbately
a friend of Wcstoyer's, who IS now in Jail 70
. rape committed in New Britain. This lock
, ct, which Westover was known to have re
deemed from pawn but day previous, led t
his arrest and the subsequent developments
Upwards of quart of blood remained on th
floor on Saturday. in the spot where Suit
had been attacked