Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-03
w. D, WALLACH.
THE WALTON-MATTHEW TRAGEDY.
Re-arrest Of Charles Jefferd..
INTERESTING EyrpyNcr

INTERESTING EVIDENCE.
The re-arrest Of Charles Jefferds on Sunday
last, by sfhcers Rooney and Moore of the 18th
Precinct, has created considerable gossip in
the city in relation to the matter, and great
expectations" are looked for from the secresy
with which the case was worked up and the
mystery still surroundingit 1t. The working no
OF the Walton-Msthews tragedy is one of the
best things that the District Attorney apd Su-
perintendent Kennedy have ever done in their
lives. Not only is the mystery surrounding
this double murder, to be cleared up, but, If
our informationis to be relied upon, a glimmer
Of light win also be thrown on the great Bur-
dell tragedy, in which Jeferds Is said to be in
some way mixed up.
About four months ago, Mr. Moore, formerly
treasurer Of allack 8 Theater, was appoint ted
on the police. As soon as he was sworn in he
was sent fer by Mr.. Kennedy, and placed on
especial duty" that dsty not a single man in
the city, save the Superintendent Of Police and
the District Attorney, knew. He was instruc-
ted to become the companion and bosom friend
of Jeffsrds and his mother, and worm from
them the secrets Of that midnight double as
sassination.
This was about three months ago. Moore
obtained an Introduction to Jeferds, and the
two went on a round Of sprees together The
first two weeks Of their fellowship nothing spe-
eial occurred, until Jeferds his mother. and
on Long Island Sound, on a picnic excursion
Moore and all hands went out q boating, and
when Charley was raising q sail, q gust of
wind struck 1t, which threw him in the water
There was little fear of his drowning, as he is
an excellent swimmer; but the boat, it appears
foated over him, and 80 stunned him that he
was unable to swim. He was finally picked
out OF the water insensible, and but for the
prompt exertions Of Moore, who understood
how to revive life in such cases, Jefferds would
not now be alive in the Tombs awaiting his
trial for the murder of Mr.. Matthews Even
when life was restored, he acted as If insane
and jumped into the water again. He was
rescued from a watery grave and conveyed to
his hotel. TWAS at this point he made con-
fdant Of Moore, and told him what a sneak of
chap old Walton was, and how he came to
shsot him.
Mr.. Moore of course acquiesced in all he
heard, and said that had he been similarly
placed he would have done the same thing.
Jsferds told him that he was to have got 50, 600
for killing Mr.. Walton, but that he had never
got the first "red'' for his services further
than his grub" when be lay in the Tombs
He said he was sorry to kill Matthews, but he
could not help it. He told him twice he would
shoot If he followed him, and it was Just as he
was about to be seized he turned and fired on
Matthews. On receiving the shot Matthews
gave grosn, doubled up, and fell forward on
the pavement q corpse. Jefferds then threw
the pistol from him, and hid himself under a
doorstep, where he waited until his pursuers
had gone ahead in every direction, when he
took the cars and reached BROOKLYN before I2
o'clock, or shortly after it. From that time
until Sunday last he enjoyed the utmost cor
hdence of Jeferds and the mother
Two months ago the mother charged Moore
with being detective, and one time when j eff.
fords and Moore were out alone boating Char
ley said if he supposed Moore was a detective
ha unF1IH pif0 4f IL L..
rest the suspicious Of the mother and son, by
stating that he had been in the service once,
but resigned because he had been meanly
treated by his superiors. He slept, ate and
drank with Jeferds and his mother, went on
pleasure excursions with them, and took them
to the theater. Moore and Jefferds were
scarcely day separated; and, when they left
letters passed between them, some of which are
OF the utmost Importance, and will be used on
the trial Mrs. Walton twice supposed that
Moore was detective, and but for her suspi-
cions lately the arest would not have been ef-
fected yet. On Friday last Moore and Jefferds
went up to Mr. Walton's store, the brother of
Mr. Walton deceased, and had drinks.
When getting drinks, Charley threw the
money on the counter, and in a hoarse voice
asked Mr.. Walton If he knew who he was, and
without waiting for reply, exclaimed p" I'm
Jeferds, that shot yeur brother" Mr. Wal
ton refused to take the murderer's money, and
his pistol and threatened to shoot Mr.. Walton
when Moore interfered, and took him out of
the place. When they got outside Jefferds
leveled his pistol at Mr.. Walton, and would
have shot him through the window had not
Moore seized his arm and wrenched the pistol
frsm him. Moore now began to get alarmed,
and thought it was about time he was arrest
ed. Moore took Jefferds pistol home with him
on Friday and fred of the charges, and then
placed fresh caps on, making il look as II IL
was still loaded. On Sunday, when arrested,
he took il all as joke until he entered the
Tombs.
Moore accompanied him to prison, and there
revealed to him his true character Jefferds
then took him aside and said, "Bill, il you 20
back on me, you'll be q dead man within a
month" Jeferds feels less communicative now
than when last in the Toombs; indeed be looks
rather low spirited, and has said he guessed
he would have to hang for it His mother is
also working hard for him, notwithstanding
her declaration that sde would have nothing
mere to do with him She has circulated the
report that if she had known Charley was in
the city that night, the murder would not have
been committed. Jefferds feels almost as bad
now as when be was rescued from drowning
he then declared that when consciousness left
him, the whole scene Of the murder was again
brought before him, but after that a pleasant
vision rose up TO view. This Is probably one
of the most extraordinary murder cases that
ever occurred in this city
Jeferds was arrested for q double murder,
and after lying in prison q year, he was tried
for the murder Of Walton, and acquitted One
Of his counsel was Mr. A. Oakley Hall, for whom
no man in the city worked harder on election
day than Charles Jeferds. Mr.. Hall has been
elected District Attorney, and he now becomes
the prosecutor Of his former client But it is
hardly possible that he will prosecute the case
when it is brought up for trial. That there is
very strong additional proof Of his guilt there
is not doubt, but it would be improper Just
now to disclose IL. They have found the party
that sold the pistol to Jefsrds and loaded 1t for
him. 1t would be strange indeed If the full
and unqualified confessions Of a murderer,
when sober as well as drunk, should not lead
to the desired result.-Nsv York paper.