Daily national Democrat., 1859-01-06


age, remarkable for his intelligence and
shrewdness, but we'll known by nearly all
the inhabitants of this city from the beGcinp
and thieving propensities by which he sup,
ported himself, was missed, by those who had
been accustomed to his visits Shortly after
this, report became current that he had
been murdered in Emigration Canon on the
eastern road to the States, but nothing fur
ther could be ascertained by those inquiring
about the matter. A few days more, howev-
er, and the rumor assumed more definite
shape, and it was stated that a policeman of
the city, Dane, had committed the deed
The attention of the U. 5. officers having bv
this time been called to the subject, they took
the matter in hand, determined if possible.
to trace it out and detect the murderer. Not
knowing whom they might trust, they exer-
clsed the utmost caution in their inquiries -
Finally, enough was ascertained to Justify
the issue OF warrant by Judge Sinclair for
the arrest of one n. l.. christensen, a police
man OF the city. The difficulty now was to
identify the man. 1t was known that if the
man suspected that he was to be arrested he
would make his escape and that it was not
safe to inquire from any of his brother police
men as to his identity and whereabouts.
Last Monday, Governor Cummings, whose
interest had been excited in the matter, dis
covered that the Mayor, Chief of Police and
Justice of the Peace were and had been
cognizant of the whole matter, but had kent
it profound secret; and, from the inforna-
tion which was derived from Them Christian
sen was Immediately arrested (he attempted
to elude the officers by hiding himsef,) and
the Justice of the Peace, Mayor and others
summoned for examination. 1t now appeared
that the policeman, Nelson Christensen, ac-
knowedged to have killed the boy, but al.
legged that it was done in self-defence and
thot the Mayer, Chief of Police and Justice
of the Peace had learned the facts from the
confession Of the man himself, and had bur.
led the body, keeping the whole crcumstan
ces a secret.
On Wednesday last, preliminary examin-
alton of the case was commenced before
Judge Sinclair which has not yet been con.
cluded. The evidence SO far has been ad.
duccd from reluctant witnesses.
During the whole examination, the wit
nesses have contradcted each other and
themselves, so fatly and so frequently, that
the conviction forces itself upon us that some
Of them have peruTed themselves most deep
ly and basely. Why they did so is II ques-
ton. They had some object in view in thus
deliberately lying. But they found them.
selves caught in their own trap, for they were
called up to testify so Unexpectedly that they
had not time to agree upon the same false
hoods
The body was yesterday dsintcrred by or.
der of the Judge, and post mortem cxami-
nation made 10y DR.. Hugs. The throat was
found cut from ear to ear, and there was ii
pistol ball lodged in the breast He had al
SO pistol ball shot through his leg and one
through his hand. The body was too far de
composed to discern any other marks of vio-
lence. a portion of the clothes were found
thrown off and the body indecently exposed,
although several of the witnesses had sworn
that the clothinglon the body was rot touch
ed 10y any one-,SaA Lake cor Bulletin Dec.
20M
Later news, December 2jth), says:
The examination into the circumstances of
the murder Of deaf and dumb boy in this
city few weeks ago, by one of the destroy.
ing angels" which has created so much in
terest, was concluded on Tuesday last, and
Christensen. the murderer, was fully com
mitted for trial before the United States Dis
trict Court From the evidence adduced,
the crime committed was clearly murder
The poor boy was arrested on a charge of
stealing money, which he denied, although
he acknowledged having on previous occa-
sion taken some. He was taken by this po-
liceman out through the mountains to hunt
for money which he had not taken and was
compelled. 10y the threats of this man to re-
sort to the expedient of travelling from one
spot to the other, in order to delay castiga.
ton which this man had determined to give
him if he did not find some money. Finally,
after travelling about two days, the boy, as
Christensen himself states became desperate
and inflicted slight wound upon him, and,
in return, was shot three times by the man.
In this condition, he was placed upon wag-
on to be brought to the city, but before reach
ing the city, wounded as he was with three
pistol shots, he was again led out unarmed
and weak with the loss of blood his throat
cut from ear to eer 10y a man armed with a
knife, revolver and policemans club-under
the pretence that he had to do it in selfde
fence 1t is confidently anticipated by the
Mormon leaders that petit jury cannot be
found to convict Christensen even under this
testimony We shall see whether such is the
case or not.