The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-29
Death OF CHRISTIAN BERGER
The Murderer is Found Dead in His
Cell This Morning.
Death Supposed from Natural Causes.
A FULL INVESTIGATION TO Be MADE.
Christian Berger died this morning in his cell

Christian Berger died this morning in his cell
in Moyamensing Prison.
The great shock that went to the heart of the
whole community Philadelphia, on the an
nouncement of the brutal murder of an aged
woman Miss Mary Watt, at Germantown, but
few months ago, for the obvious design OF
plunder, can never be forgotten. Stern Justice
pursued uutiringly the investigations OF the
crime from the slight clue that could be found.
On Saturday, january 9th, about seven o'clock
in the morning the murder was committed and
by nightof the same day, the suspected murder
eT Christian Berger, was apprehended. On the
Coroner's inquest at Germantown, on January
18th, a confession of the prisoner to the afro
Cious crime was detailed by Detective Taggart,
and Berger was committed for trial. BY the re-
quirements of the law of evidence his comics
sion was not allowed to be submitted but after
q thorough and able defense, he was found
guilty of murder of the first degree, and SEN
fenced to death on the following day.
On March II Governor Curtin issued his war
rant Tor the execution of Christian Berger on the
9th of April. This sentence of death was read
to the prisoner by Sheriff Howell on the morn
ing of Tuesday, March 20, IN the presence of
several witnesses, and the tldngs we're received
by him without the slightest apparent emotion.
PARTICULARS OF THE DEATH OF THE MURDERER
During the lapse of time from the reading of
the death-warrant, the prisoner has maintained a
quiet demeanor, except at intervals, when he
would make boisterous demonstrations; but on
being threatened with the application OF the
ball and chain, he subsidized IN q tranquil man.
ner. For day or two past, the prisoner has
been quite unWell, and he received medical at
tendance at the hand of Dr. Klapp. Last even
ing, about halfpast O'Clock, DR.. Klapp paid
visit to the prisoner in his CELL and asked him
how he felt. The prisoner was partly sitting up,
and replied he thought he was little better.
| His wants being properly attended 10, the cell
| door was locked, and he was lett tor the night.
This morning his attendant on entering the
CELL discovered him lying on mis- bed, and an eX-
| animation proved that lite was extinct The
| body was yet warm, and he had evidently been
dead but short time. His head was resting a
little on one side, and his face exhibited slight
disColoration. The expression of his features
indicated that he had not given up life without
a struggle, as his face exhibited vivid
signs of suffering. DIR. Klapp rests firmly under
the belief that he died from natural causes. OF
late the prisoner has eaten very heartily, which,
added to the circumstance of the entire absence
OF any physical exercise, gives rise to the belief
| that he died in fit OF apoplexy.
THE SHERIFF NOTIFIED OF THE OCCURRENCE.
Sheriff Howell was at once notified of the
death OF the murderer and that official lost no
time in proceeding to the cell. The facts OBJ
| tanned by him in the process Of investigation
| we're submitted as related above
THE GOVERNOR TELEGRAPHED.
Sheriff Howell at once telegrephed to Cover
nor Curtin OF the occurrence, aud Coroner Taylor
was then notified, and a full investigation of
| everything connected with the death OF Chus-
tian Berger will take place this afternoon, under
| the supervision of DR.. Tay lor. 1t is his inten-
tlon TO have thorough post mortem examina-
ton made, and every individual who has visited
the prisoner within the last fifteen days will be
| subpGnaed and closely examined.
Information of the circumstance was also for
! warded to the family of the deceased. The body
| has not been removed from tne cell, but will
remain in thepositIon in which it was discovered
this morning, subject to the action OF the
| Coroner.
Thus ends the career of one, the crownng deed
| of whose life was as black as night, but who,
| phrenolcgsts inform us, had in him the ele-
| ments OF higher battling with earthly duties,
| kindred vices.