Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-06
LIFE IN BALTIMORE.
The Conviction of GambriIl,

In Baltimore, yesterday, about night fall, the
jury in the case Of Henry Gambrill, charged with
the murder Of Police Officer Benjamin Benton
found the accused guilty Of murder In the frs
degree.
Ii was nearly O'Clock when the Court ad.
lourned, and there being large conconrse of the
friends OF the prisoner about the Court house
Mayor Swan had kept over one hundred police
officers, fully armed. under command of Marshal
Herring to escort him to Jail. Two hacks had
been procured so as TO divide the attention of tue
crowd. One was placed on Lexington street,
and the other on Calvert street in front Of the
Gilmor House. The main portion Of the
crowd gathered In Lexington street and il was
determined to place the prisoner i'm the othe r
carriage. This was successfully DONE but not
without an attempt to create disturbance Cant
James and Capt. Owens, Warden and Deputy
Warden OF the Jail got into the carriage and di-
rected the driver to proceed directly to the Jail
The driver either confused or intimdated drove
down Calvert street t. Little Water when IL was
feared he PLAYED false, and Capt Owens me-
naced him with his pistol, threatening to shoot
him unless he changed his course Capt James
then directed the diver to proceed down Sarato-
ga stree; with all speed to the middle station,
and The prisoner Yves quickly lodged in one of
the cells. Marshal Herring mmed lately ordered
fifty OIL GERS to prepare their muskets for escort
duty, and at 8 O'Clock the prisoner was conveyed
To the Jail without further Interruption.
REVENGE FOR THE CONVICTION OF GAMBRILL
A couple Of hours later, police officer George
10
brill trial, was brutality murdered In his own
house, on Baltimore street, where his wife keeps
small dry goods store. AT s O'Clock he left the
Western station house for his home ana was
cautioned by Capt Lineweaver not to 90 out. As
threats had been made against his life on account
OF the testimony he bad given in the case OF
Gambrifi, to the effect that he should die on the
day that Cambria was convicted On leaving
the station house he proceeded direct to his
home, and was in his sitting room ad Joining the
store talking 10 his wife at the time OF his death
Al the corner OF the sitting room a small window
opens into the yard, and Mr. Rigdon was stand
ing leaning on the mantel piece, with his back
10 the window, from which he was not two feet
distant. His wife was sitting on the other side
OF the room, and little lost child, which he had
picked up in the street. was sitting on the Garnet
at his feet. The assassin went up a small alley
at the side of the house, and with large horse
pistol fred at him through the window, heavy
load OF slsgs entering his right side and causing
Instant death. He exclaimed only-"I am shot, y
and fell dead on the floor, having ceased breathing
after one heavy groan. Five bullets entered his
shoulder and side, each about one inch apart
Police officer John Cook was on the opposite
side OF Baltimore street, and hearing the report
OF the pistol, started across to Mr. Rigdon,s
house, when 4 man came running ont Of the side
alley, with revolver in his hand, and as officer
Cook started to arrest him he fred twice at him,
neither of which took effect. The officer imme.
diately drew his revolver, and started In pursuit
exchanging shots with the fugitive, who was
overhauled, and proved to he Peter Corrie, a
s..
The Mayor Immediately ordered Corrie 10 be
brought before him, when he made full confess
sion OF his participation in the murder, decIar-
Ing, however, that he did not commit the deed
himself, but that he remained at the mouth of
the alley on Baltimore street, whilst Marion
Crops went up the alley aud fred the pistol
warrant was Immediately issued for the arrest of
Crops, and the Mayor committed Eorrie as an
accessory to the murder. and also charged with
attempting the life of officer Cook. Crops was
brought before the Mayor, and fully committed
to jail on the charge Of murder.
There was strong disposition at the Western
station, on the part of the neighbors and friends
OF officer Rigdon, who was highly esteemed as
an officer and d citizen, to lynch Corrie
II will be remembered that officer Rigdon ties.
titled on the Gambrill trial that he had hold of
David Houck, along with officer Benton, at the
time that Gambrill came up aud shot Beaton
testifying positively to his Identification of Gam.
brill as the murderer. He had been lust two
years on the police, was a stout athletic man.
and a most excellent and fearless officer. He
leaves wife but no children to mourn his loss.
He was IS years Of age, and to-day would have
been the seventh anniversary Of his marriage he
to his wife yesterday.