The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-22
THE WALTON-MhTHEWS TRAGEDY.


Trial OF Charles M JeGerds for the Murder
OF John w. Mathews-Closc of the Evil
dencc for the Prosccution-A Eacy Letter
from Jcfrerd's 10 his s'frirnd' Moore
Testimony FOR the Dcfenee--Ladies Of tho
Town on the stanti--Evidenee OF Mrs.
Walton, the Mother Of the Prisoner &c.
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Recorder Holman.
FOURTH DAY.
Dec 2lThe trial Of Charles oerds for tho murder Or
John W Mathews was continued. The court room WAS
even more crowded than the previous days, and the
interest increases The trial draws towards close
The District Attorney called
George H. Webb, who testified as follows
rcsdc at ASS Second avenue assisted in arestng the
prisoner and took him to the Tombs he asked what he
was arrested for and told him that no arrested In
the Mathews case: ] showed him my shield, and he
wanted to know if that all the authority had told
him "no;' officer Rooney showed him the warrant; no
read it, and said ho supposed this the District At
torncy's dongs and that he had defeated him in tho
election he wanted us to release hold, and
We told him would not he wanted us TO
treat him as gentleman that he was no
losfer, and If we put on any airs would have
TO carry him; he said to Moore, "Btl, 90 mother
and Oakley Hall; you know what to do' and think he
said ''don't 60 back me- we took him the Tombs
gave his pistol TO Moore
Cross.examincd-I believe the warran. was dated on
the 18TH Mr. Allen Of the Assistant District Attor
neys stated that the warrant for Jeerds' arrest was
made out on Sunday but It was dated the 10th.
Terence Dolen, sworn-I reside at 95 East Sixteenth
street knew the late John Walton remember the night
Of tho MURDER have worked for him three years be
the few minutes after eleven he sat aw e on the
barrel taking TO me before he loft; Pascal for
him and rolled in tho barrel and prepared to 90 home
Cross examined-I have seen Jererds at Mr. Walton S
and know him we'll saw Jcferds sitting in tho ONCE
several times with Mr. Walton remember he was there
at Christmas or New Years but do not remember whe-
thor he there aftcr that not Pascal came three
nights week for Mr.. Walton and Ambrose ONe was in
the habit OF going homo with him.
Robert Cunningham cxamined--I am Keeper in the City
Prison. remember when Jeferds brought in on tho
nth OF November he asked what the charge was in
tho warrant and he asked who the person murdered
he said II the old charge and 'they can't do any
thpg TO me for that said "Non he called for mo into
the cell once and asked whether they could usc tho
testimony the former trial in the Mathews case and
told him, "Ccrtainiy."
Cross-examned-I should not think he had been drink
ing tho night before, and did suppose be had
been SPREE
Coroner Jacknan testified tnusAt the inquest ofcor
Nunroe handed me pistol he found in Sixteenth street
the one now shown ME is the one two chambers were
discharged, and the other three were loaded and had
caps on.
To Mr.. Brady-The inquest lasted several days; \
lawyer named Smith acted for the prosecution Charles
Jserds and his mother examined witnesses bis
brother Edward WAS treated as of the accused
0Glcer Hutchinson sad-I was at the drug store
corner Of Seventeenth street and Third avenue on the
night Of the murder and took the bodies OF Walton and
q ne nj Maths
but Walton not
Counsel the defendant admitted that Mathews camo
was guilty Of murder.
Joseph Brennan connected with the Distrc. Attorneys
oce testified that he had been under the front soop Of
the house 81 East Sixteenth street. the can be seen
passing up the Fourth avenue and the passengers
ears the railing in front Of the yard is stone and
two and half to three feet high.
George Young said he was clerk in the Post Office:
Know tho prisoner for tho last six years. he
acerk in the Post once; think the signature to this
paper is JefIcrd's.
Crossexamned-I cannot identify the ''Charles NJ
but can "Jefferds' positively.
Anthony Yeoman, also clerk in the Post Office who
knew JeGerds when he clerk there said he saw
him write svory day for three years think 'Jeferds
Mr. Brady objected Offering of the paper in evi
dsnce, . tho proofo the handwriting Of JeGerds was
The Cour. ovsrruled the objection to which All excep
ton was taken. Counsel then objected receiving the
paper In evidence ON the ground that its
irrelevant to the case.
His Honor after perusng the letter decided TO admit it
in evidence.
Tho District Attorney then read the following letter
which was written by Jcferds to Moore
LErrER OF JEFrERDs TO DETECTIVE MOORE.
CCTcaoGuK, Oct. Q, 1851
FRIEND WILLIAM have Just received your Kind and
friendly letter and very much Obliged to YOU for
your oor OF assistance but you don know the old lady
- well as do. guess can stick it out here until she
comes down with her good American soap. She always
grumbles like the devil when ask her for money She
has got 70 send It to me III play he'll when do 20
home She don't know she is taking about haH t6e
time When you see ber tell her for mo tina, she has
IS right She had better not put any airs me-
for am not IN the hurnor TO stand them If she i'll pay
mo what she owes me, tell her that I'll hor
Tor another cent in the world Why the hell don't
raise mortgage her estate she hard up9
She has played that story just about long enough but
suppose you don't care about hearing Of family jars
80 will change the subject Fred Drake home again
op Monday. had devil Of with Dr. Goldsmith |
caught him cheating, and going to break his head
with pitcher He gave mo four tens and had four queens
In his own hand Charley Belts separated Dr. Gold.
smith is called "fonr qnesns all over Cutchoque. have
not seen him but since. He gets mad the devil
whenever any calls him four queens has knocked
me out Of over SIS by his cheating. but nppcd him at
cards did you. Mrs Fleet had baby Inst night siri
Every one in this house is quite delighted There GO
ing to be race hero tomorrow for sulky Come up
here for two or three days, will you sometimes go
back in tho Locust Grove and look Of your old
relics. was going to put dry piece up in my room,
but thought wouldn't, as Kate might not appreciate
my feelings. have never Hull Moore since that
day. l will settle all damages myself with him went
TO GroeDport yesterday and had quite a good time. I
gave your love TO Kate. Annie and arc mad al one
another and don't speak. Tell Frank have got a live
for him, or will give him to Lester II he wants
him. You can learn them to do almost anything The
bay quito lively with ducks You would be asto.
nished TO the difference this storm has made has
driven thousands Of ducks here
had splendid shot at a flock while ding on
the shore but did not have any gun. Try como up
here for day or two win you and will both go down
together Call and see the old lady for more,
and toll her had tooth pulled which took all my
money had left after raging for my washing See il
that won fetch her. and after get to the city once bet
get what want out Of her She won't put any with
begin to my health and spirits have been
very well lately. Jim an going TO make lot Of
cider to-day I'll FOR you when you come up
For Chrsts sake do come up ain rs lonely church
mouse. miss that old dcmohn Of yours buy this
COMPOUNDED sweetened STUFF up here wish to thunder
you had borrowed about ton dollars when you was Nh
here that damned old four queens could have got
out or me have just received leter from the old lady
She is telling what he'll Of sacrifice she has
making for Moore write and toll where she lives
and whrs kind Of house and Beghborhood it is in.
She writes to me aboct reforming, &c What the devil
does she mean hope ynn have not been indscreet
70 mention sag Harbor sprseY Write and let
know. Well. must cose now. Give my respects to all
your sstimabe family. IA rspoir. Yours truly,
CHARLES N. EEFERDS
Answer Immediately, please.
Bernard MeGee--I reside in West Twenty ninth street,