The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-09
HISTORY OF THE CRIMES.
THE MURDER OF BENTON.

1140HoSsX OE THE CAIMESu
MURDER OF BENTON.
For the purpose of bringing directly to the minds
OF our readers all the circumstances and incidents
surrounding this heart-rending spectacle it will be
necessary to go back in the narration of events to
the first act in the great tragedy-the murder of
police officer Benjamin Benton.
On the night of the 22d of September, 1858, a
private party was being held at the house of Mrs
Green, on Bddle street, near Pennsy ylvania avenue
party OF young men, among whom we're Henry
Gambrill, David Houck and John Eisenhardt, ap-
preached the house and demanded admittance; the
shutters of the front windows were opened by the
inmates and entrance refused, whereupon Eisen-
hardt climbed into the window, and Houck and
others entered by the front door The cry of
"watch' was raised, and several police officers
among whom were Benton and RigdOn, repaired to
the spot. The house was entered by the officers and
lsenhardt being the most disorderlv, was arrest
ed and brought into the street. As the officers
were taking him towards Pennsylvania avenue
David Houck approached and attempted rescue
he was Immediately taken into custody by officers
Benton and Rigdon, who started along BiddIe
street, for the purpose of conveying him to the
Western police station. They had progressed only
far as the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and
Bddle street, when man ran up behind them pis-
tol in hand and deliberately fired, the load taking
effect on the left side of the head OF Benton from
the effects of which wound he almost instantly died
The man who fired the pistol, then ran off down
Pennsylvania avenue towards Franklin street. and
this man recognized by officer Rigdon to have
been Henry Gambrill Upon this information Gam
brill was, on the same night, arrested at the house
of James Morgan on Eutaw street, by Captain Lii
neweaver and other officers, and committed to ail
upon the charge of murder.
TRIAL OF GAMBRILL.
The Grand Jury Immediately found true bill
against Henry Gambrill on the above charge and
the 2Sth day of October he was arraigned before
Judge Stump, of the Criminal Court, and pleaded
"Not guilty" to the indictment. The trial lasted
six days, and during its progress created a great
deal of excitement and interest in the community,
the Court room and the avenues leading thereto be
ing daily crowded by persons anxious to hear, and
discussing the testimony as it was elected
The prosecution was conducted by Milton Whit
ney, Esq, States Attorney, assisted by Edward
Duffy, Esq, the prisoner being ably defended by
Charles H. Pitts and Oliver F. Hack, Esqrs
On Friday, the 5th of November, at II O'Clock NJ
the States Attorney finished the closing argument
for the prosecution, when the indictment hand
ed to the jury, who at halEpast five O'Clock returned
into Court and rendered verdict of Guilty Of
murder in the first degree''
Officer Robert NJ. Rigdon was in this trial the
principal witness on the part of the State, he hav-
ing positively to the identity of Henry Gam
brill, as the man who fired the fatal shot. During
the progress of the trial, officer Rigdon was re
called to the stand by the State for the purpose OF
rebutting the testimony of the defence, and during
the cross-examnation bv Mr. Pitts the question
was asked him, "why he did not arrest Gambrill at
the time of the murder?" his reply was ''that he
had not the presence of mind to make the arrest
then; he knew Gambrill, and he knew he could get
him at any time"
TO question from Mr.. Whitney in regard to the
arrest, Rigdon replied, "My reason for not follow
ing Gambrill was, to speak candidly, that was
afraid my light would be put out
Mr.. Pitts-"Why, how many officers were within
call?'
Rgdon-"How many officers were within call
when ofhcer Benton was shot? My life has been
threatened many a time before"
The sequel proved that the officers apprehensions
Tor his life not without foundation
Upon the rendition of the verdict the prisoner
showed but little outward emotion; he was deathy
pare ana alter taxing his seat, for moment
ed his face with his hands, he was then taken from
the prisoners box to the lookup, and thence to the
Jail.
When the jury entered the box with the verdict
the Court house was crowded to excess with per
sons anxious to hear the result. Among the crowd
was large number of the friends of Henry Gam
brill, who had waited on the trial dav after day
manifesting the greatest interest in every stare of
It, During the trial and even previous to it, it was
currently reported that If the jury brought i'll
verdict of guilty effort would be made to rescue
the prisoner. When the verdict was read there
audible demonstration, either of approba-
ton or disapprobatiOn, but a low whisper ran
through the crowd. The authorities had not paid
much attention to the threats which had been ru-
mored abroad, and, with the exception of small
squad of police, under Captain Mitchell and Lieu
tenant Carmichael, the Sherif1's deputies were
compelled to rely wholly on themselves. They
soon became convinced however, that they would
have trouble in taking the prisoner to Jail,
tain. He suggested the proprety of de
ceiving the crowd, and of conveying Gam
brill to prison by stratagem. Accordingly a
hack was placed on Lexington street, and immedi-
atey after another hack placed at the mouth
of the Gmor House alley on Calvert street.
feint made though the prisoner was about
to be placed in the hack on Lexington street. but
instead OF that course being pursued he was taken
down the alley and placed in the hack on Calvert
street. Scarcely were he and the Sheriff's officers
seated in the carriage, when the crowd discovered
the ruse, and with frantic shouts started in pursuit
The vehicle was driven rapidly down Calvert street
to Lombard, and thence to Cav, when the crowd
had swelled to such numbers, and gave such evi-
dence OF intended violence, that the officers ordered
the hack to be driven to the Middle district police
station. The prisoner was then taken from the
hack and locked up in the station house.
Marshal Herring collected a detachment of about
fifty policemen and armed them with muskets,
loaded with ball. The police then formed a hollow
square, and Gambrill brought out and placed
in the centre. Marshal Herring Captain Mitchell,
Lieutenant Carmichael and the Sherif's officers
walked at the side of the prisoner, and the party
proceeded up Holiday street, crossed the Falls at
the Foundry street BRIDGE passed along French
street and through Madison to the jail. No effort
was made to rescue
THE KILLING OF RIGDoy.
After the demonstration at the Court house. and
the attempt to rescue Henry Gambrill, the crowd
dispersed. Marion Cropp and Peter Corrie were
appears that, after the failure of their efforts, they
proceeded to the western part of the city. They
were observed lettering about Baltimore street, be-
tween Green and Pine streets; they couyersed with
different persons the subject of the trial and
conviction of Gambrill, and even held converse
ton with Robert NJ. Rigdon, and their conduct to
wards him at the time they talking to him
gave no evidence of hostility or shaJoyed forth
the dreadful deed which at that Zine thev were
bent upon committing. Rigdon's friends felt So
licitous, and warned him of danger, but he only
smiled when he left the police station that eve
ming for his residence-46S West Baltimore street
he was cautioned by Captain Lineweaver to re
main at home until the excitement attending the
rendition of the verdict against Henry Gambrill had
subsidized He proceeded to his house, and had been
there but short time when the assassination took
place, whilst he standing leaning against the
mantel-piece in the sitting-room of his house in
conversation with his wife, who was sitting near
by, while small child, whom he had found in the
street and taken into his family was PLAYING at his
feet. Within two feet of where he was standing
a small window opened into the ward in the rear Of
the dwelling, and the assassns had gained access
TO tne vard oy way OF the alley, and fired through
TINS wlndow-the weapon used being an old fowng-
piece cut down to length of about eighteen inches
and heavily loaded with slugs. simultaneously
with the discharge of the weapon Rigdon exclam-
eo Il am shot! and instantly fell to the floor; the
only subsequent signs of life that he gave being
the utterance of a single groan.
oincer John Cook was opposite RigdOn's dwell
ling when he heard the report of pistol and as he
eldrleu across the street he observed a man come
out of the alley at the side of Rigdons house. The
moment this person reached the pavement he start
ed to run down Baltimore street, west, and officer
Cook started in pursuit of him. AS soon as the man
found he was pursued he turned and fired at the
officer, and at intervals fired three shots. Cook fired
twice in return and followed in close pursuit through
Baltimore, Pine and German streets, when the man
turned into Penn street, where officer Jamlson met
him and arrested his further flight This man proved
to be Peter Corrie He was conveyed to the vest
ern district police station where the news OF the
murder of Rigdon had been heard.
Intelligence of the murder having oeen commun-
Gated 10 Navor Swami and Deputy States Attorney
Pinkney they proceeded the station house, where
Marshal Herring had already arrived, and made the
the prisoner being arraigned before the Mayor, he