The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-15
CITY INTELLI G NOE
Fer additional Local Items see Third Page.l

THE GERMANTOWN TRAGEDY.-A lot of
silver Spoons were found on Saturday last on the
line OF the North Pennsylvania Railroad, near
Fishers lane. The spoons bore the initials of
Miss Mary l.. Watts, who was murdered by
Christian Berger, at her residence in German
town. They were found by man who was
passing in the neighborhood, and were scattered
around as if they had been thrown awayin hurry
by some one. These spoons were undoubtedly
taken by Berger at the time he committed the
murder. The murderer is now in Moyamensing
Prison awaiting his trial, which will probably
be commenced this week. He appears rather
broken down, and has but little to say.
On Saturday last we visited his cell, and in
reference TO remark dropped by us in reference
to the horrible tragedy, he replied:-"Yes,
don't know what ever induced me to commit
such a cIime,n although in the same breath he
further stated that he had no recollection of
cutting the old womans throat. One OF the
party in attendance at the time remarked to
him that such deeds were only committed by
those possessed of the Devil, to which the pri-
soner replied that he supposed he must have
been possessed by that noted individual at the
time.
AS we were about leaving him he burst into
tears, and said he wished he could be removed
from his cell TO the one overhead, on the second
floor. We wished to know why, when he SAID,
"Oh, l could then be so much nearer my Lord"
Since his confinement he appears restless and
nervous, although he eats heartily and seems 70
rest well. The prisoner has quite youthful
appearance His father during the eXamina.
ton before the inquest OF the Coroner, testified
that his son was only twenty years of age. The
old man was much agltated at the time, and
evidently made mistake.
We have been informed from other Of his rela-
tives that he is about twenty-five years OF age.
lie is of medium size, and about one hundred
and fifty pounds in weight. In general appear
ance he much resembles young Armstrong, who
was executed in Moyamensing Prison a few
years since for the murder of Crawford. Berger
since his confinement has been visited by hIs
father and other relatives His vile is still
extremely III, and may never recover from the
terrible shock.
The spoons were found not far from where the
razor with which the murder was committed
was lying The prisoner has not since his
arrest, alluded to taking the spoons. His state
ment is that after he had got about mile from
the house, he put his hand in his pocket, and
greenbaCks, about $685. in tens fives, and ones,
taken from Miss Watts. He says he threw the
razor away, and this part OF his story sno doubt
true, as the razor was found at the place where
! he stated.
If the prisoner was crazy then, as he con
| tends it is somewhat singular that ne did not
| throw the money away at the same time. The
| secret of the whole affair is, that he knew the
| razor and the isilver spoons would be strong
| evidence against him, and fearful (as all mur
| derers are) that he might have been seen and
| arrested at any moment before he mad chance
| to dispose of these two articles, he dropped
them as soon as be was out OF sieht OF the house
| The fact Of the hiding of the spoons will, it l:
! thought, be admitted by Berger, when ne il
| questioned in regard to them. Time NAV de
| velop that he has taken many more articles
than those which have been found