Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-06-09
EVENING STAR.

TIE HOMICIDE AT 81. LoUI-.-we have already
given a Geographic report of the killing OF MI
Joseph Charles an old and esteemed resident OF
ST Louis, by Joseph w. Thornton, against whom
Mr. Charles had once appeared as witness in
trial for bank enlightenment. We CLEAN from the
Republican's account of the affair, the following
particulars:
Several years ago, the % Bsatmen's Saving In
stitutOn'' was mysteriously robbed Of between
SIS, 200 and $1,000, in notes of tie Bank Of the
state Of Missouri, and gold. At that time, the
business of that institution was done mainly IN
Missouri paper and coin: Joseph w Thorn, ION
was Secretary and principal book keeper OF ue
concern, and had filed that place from an early
period Of its history. There were those VINO, on
the discovery of the abstraction OF the iunuh ulu
nO5 e 70 point 20 n be was under the strict
watch of the police, and vet the Board retained
him i'm his Office for some time afterwards After
awhile, Thornton was gs. OF re, ns
place in the office, ana IL was niied py some one
Two or three years ago Mr. Thornton caused to
be presented at the Bank Of the State Of Missouri,
for redemption, some 81 200 Of obliterated and
soiled NOTES. This excited suspicion, and on being
questioned rs To the manner in which they came
into his possession, II was stated that they
found buried under the stump Of tree which had
been pulled up by a steamboat to which IL had
fastened its cable. and that he had purchased them
This increased the suspicion. Mr.. Charles, the
President Of the State Bank at that time notified
thus discovered.
At subsequent term of the grand jury, Thorn
ton was indicted for the embeZzlenemt of the
money Of the Boatmen's Institution. Mr. Char
less as his duty required him to do appeared be-
fore the court and testified TO all the facts within
his knOwledge; he could not escape, il he had been
DESTROYS Of doing from his duty In this respect
Mr.. Blood the president, and Mr.. Gaylord, the
teller also gave their testimony in the CASE and
is said that Thornton has made threats against
both Of these gentlemen since that time. The
jury, on the trial Of the case. acquitted Thornton
of the embeZZlenent, and he has since been going
about the city with as il would seem, very few
associates or sympathizers.
On Friday morning last, Mr.. Charles was on
the south side of Market street, between Third
and Fourth, going down, when he was met by
Joseph w. Thornton, coming up, who, without
any alteration, without saying word, took from
his breast Colts revolver, which he presented
Mr.. c. and fired. The ball took effect in the left
side of Mr.. Charles, passing upward obliuuely
and to the right, and penetrating through the All
dOminal cavity, and going entirely through the
body. Mr. Charles fell upon his knees and
hands, and while in this position Thornton fired
again, the bullet taking effect in the back The
wounded man crept into the trimming and varie-
ty store Of p. J. Thompson, in front Of which tile
occurrence took place, and eXclaiming that he was
shot, sank upon the floor.
He was taken to his residence and died OH Sat
urday morning. Before he died, he freely forgave
the unhappy man by whose hands he fell, at the
same time stating that his conduct towards Thorn
ton had never been actuated by the least feeling of
revenge, and That he was entirely conscientious in
whatever he had said or thought about him.
Joseph w. Thornton is an unmarried man. in
lis 10Th year In his cell he appears TO be quite
calm and collected, and this appearance was I'M
changed throughout the exciting proceedings
tramp, tramp, of the military. and orders of the
commanders, in the Jail yard seemed not TO affect
him in the least He preserved a moody tacitur
nifty. and refused To enter into any conversation
Iced wi hsh "A