Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-16
THE PHILADELPHIA TRAGEDY.
Further Interesting Particulars.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer of Saturday we
CLEAN the following in reference to the recent murder
of eight persons in that city,
The accused murderer, Antoine Ganther, or Probs,
is native of Strasburg % years of age, about
feet IL inches in height of broad built, muscular
frame He has no superfluous flesh on his body is
large limbed, has large hands and feet, Is round
shouldered, and has dsagreeable habit OF resting
his chin against his breast and glazing out from his
half-hid eyes. He has a broad, square face, head
quite fiat at the crown, and bullying bulet-shaped at
the base very high cheek homes ford complex
ion, very light brown hair, and the stubble oil ght
mOustache, recently shaved off. His eyes are small,
deep SET, of pale blue, verging somewhat upon
gray, and has a covering look, falling beneath
anOther's gaze. His nose small, concaye and up
turning physognomically indicative of feebleness
of character, the utter reverse in form OF the boldly
outlined Roman, while his large mouth had nat,
roughly modelled lips. He was dressed in suit oil
grey, and wore large light colored slouched hat,
drawn down upon his low forehead. His expression
was stolid and morose, and his whole personal bear
ing impressed one with the belief that he was an ig-
norant, coarse grained man, unreasoning, passion
ate, devoid OF strength Of character or human sym
patty.
He was noticed on Thursday evening ON Market
street. the Permanent Bridge, in the neighbor-
hood of Twenty-third street. He was suspected by
officer Dorsey, who was in company with officers
Weldon and Atkinson, through the long strides he
maue III WdlhluH. OIlCeT dorsey, stepping up
him said" You are a German" TO which the ac-
cused replied " am not am Frenchman." He
was then arrested and taken to the Station House,
where he was detained. Yesterday morning
lengthy examination took place, the prisoner being
closely questioned by Chief Detective Franklin, in
reference to the charges which had been preferred
against him. Before the prisoner had this hearing
Mrs Dolan, mother of one of the murdered victims,
was taken into his presence and Immediately recog-
nized him as the man who had been employed on
the farm of Mr.. bearing. On being questioned he
stated that he had killed the boy by chopping him
with a new axe, as he was on his way to the hay
stack, where the mutated body subsequently
found The prisoner, at this stage of the proceed
ings in response to questions put to him by Chief
Franklin, stated that he had an accomplish with him,
named Jacob Younger, who is 80 or SO years OF age
The private examination before the Mayor ELECTED
the fact that the murder was committed in the fol-
lowing manner: On friday last Ganthers accom-
plice in the terrible tragedy came over to DIR. Dear
ings and proposed to the prisoner that they should
murder the family and rob the house. Ganther
consented to the plan proposed by his accomplce,
and it was arranged that the prisoner should murder
the boy while the other despatched the rest OF
Mr. bearings family. About 10 o'clock on Satur
day morning the accomplish persuaded Mrs. bearing
to come to the barn, short distance from the house.
and getting her there struck her in the head with an
axe and then cut her throat with the edge of that
instrument He then pitched her body into the corn
crib adjoining the barn, and then proceeding to the
house, took the children one by one to the barn.
when their heads were knocked in with the butt
end of the axe and their Threats cut. As fast as
one was dealt with in this manner its body was
thrown into the corn crib, and the process contin-
ued until the whole family were disposed Of While
the accomplice was thus engaged, Ganther pro-
ceeded to murder the boy Conelius He overlook
him at the haystack and struck him on the back of
the head with an axe, after which, he cut his throat
and then hid the body under the hay The flemish
plot being accomplished, the two murderers proceed.
ed to the house and lay in wait for Mr. bearing and
Elizabeth Dolan. They arrived home about IL
o'clock, and as soon as Mr.. bearing had deposited
his carriage in the wagon-house the accompllce,
according to the prisoners statement) attacked
them both, knocking them in the head and cutting
their Threats after which, the bodies were carried
to the barn, and placed where they were discovered.
The precious pair then proceeded to the house. and
after collecting together all the valuabes they
could gather, deliberately sat down and eat their
dinner when they left and came to the city.
At the conclusion of the private hearing in Mayor
McMichaers Office prompt and efficient measures
were taken for the safe removal of the prisoner, that
no breach of the peace might ensue. Such protec-
tive care was absolutely necessary to insure the life
of the criminal. At an early hour yesterday morn
ing crowd began to gather around the Central Sta.
ton. As the hours rolled on the numbers grew, I'M
til thousands were surrounding the neghb0rh0od OF
9th and Chestnut streets. About liz o'clock Chief
Ruggles had passageway opened; the prisoner was
placed between StalWart leutenahts, surrounded by
about thirty picked men of the force; the word was
given and on a double quick the little posse drove
into the dense crowd. From the Mayors office to
the Photographic gallery opposite, on the southeast
corner of 9th and Chestnut though only thirty yards
the run was thrilling and difficult one. "Stop
him. Hang hmm Lynch him" Hanging
is too good for him. broke out hundreds of voices,
and the rushing crowds sought to break through the
little group of policemen. Had the road been lon
ger one the law might never have had to pronounce
the feon's doom but discipline conquered that time.
By the skillful arrangements of Chief Ruggles the
crowd was decoyed with the notion that he would be
brought out the front door, and led to the prison van
on 9th street. But at the proper moment the Lieu
tenants and a dozen policemen sprang up the stair
way the door was bolted behind them, and in few
minutes loud shouts from 9th street told that the
prisoner had been rushed out the back way, had been
placed in the van, upon which sprang number of
officers and had been driven off at full speed towards
Moyamensing Prison, with hundreds desperately but
iruitlessly in chase.