The New York herald., 1868-05-18
THE SING SING MURDER.


Sing in consequence Of the murder Of Charles Nd.
Jeferds at the prison there notice Of which ap-
peared in the HERALD of Friday. A coroner's jury
was empaneled ana some evidence taken, but no
clue to the perperator has yet been scovered. JEFF
ferds has been inmate Of the State Prison since
February, 1862, where he was confined under sem
tence OF death for the murder Of one Matthews,
whom he shot while pursuing him in order to arrest
him for the shooting Of his Ueferds sepfather Wal
ton. The sentence passed upon him on the 4th Of
January, 1862 by Recorder Hoffman was 'that he
should be confined in Sing Sing Prison for
one year, and on the Goth day Of February,
in the following year should suffer DEATH" The
year elapsed, the day appointed passed without the
Jenerds with two other men under the same SEN
tence have ever since remained In prison with that
awful sentence hanging over them. Efforts have
been lately to obtain their release but the
has not yet been brought before the higher courts.
s' was Sniformeiy good good, and he was accordingly
allowed greater liberty than the strict discipline Of
prison warranted; and he appears never to have
with all the inmates except one, named
Thomas Burns, generally called "Brickley,"
him. and otherwise given evidence Of III will, in
sequence OF Jeferds' having stated that he had
caught him tBrck'ey) In the commission OF most
discussing act. The evidence adduced before the
cor, ners jury went to show that Jeierds had been
at work fyr some time in the stable and barn, that
In u
obtained from the warden special permit excusing
him from attending dinner At the ordinary time In
the general messroom. Oh Thursday the l4th inst,
Jereris was seen about eleven O'Clock In the hay
loft above the stable, sitting on q bale OF hay,
reading book which he had obtained from
the PRISON library. lie was then facing q window
opposite the guard house. At fifteen minutes to
twelve the hell rang Tor dinner the cOnvicts all,
with the exception OF Jeerds flied in order and as
usual marched at four minutes after twelve TO the
measrooin. Gu returning from dinner one OF the
convcls named John X. Rhodes, now serving his
fourth term In prison discovered Jenerds body In the
same place where he had been seen sitting. He was
then dead, with i've dreadful gashes on the face and
head. One Just above the eye, the next on the upper
part OF the forehead ana three others on the top
and back OF the head. The alarm was instantly
given, and Mr.. Young the guard. and other prison
officials, took what steps they could to discover
the perpetrator; but apparently no trace had been
LEFT. That Burns or Brickley had strong Ill FEELING
against Jenerds. and had been heard TO say that he
would kill him lJefertis) before he Burns) left the
prison, was posIt vey proved before the coroner >
Jury. Another witness, convict Wilson, testified TO
having seen Burns ard Wilmington, who had asso-
ciated himself with Burns in the quarrel against Jef-
ferds, 90 TO the barn on the morning Of Thursday,
and observing their movements to be somewhat
guard to the fact. This part OF tue
evidence was corroborated by the guard,
wno however, not distinctly understanding Wilson
al the time, took no notice OF II. Burns and Whit
tlngton both went into dinner with the others and
nothng peculiar was observed In their manner or
appearance. Immediately after the discovery, Dr.
rryne, resident physician made post mortem exa-
| mnaton and discovered the cuts on the head each
one more OF less Tue SKULL Ally Ouc VI bie
cuts. he testified would have been sufficient TO pro-
dice DEATH Any one OF four Of them must certainly
have done So One, supposed TO be the fret inflicted
might have produccd iDsensbility only. The cuts
were made with sharp instrument, probably
| All axe, possibly hatohet. one blow had cnl
| through the cap and had also cut the hair In
| such manner as nothing but sharp
axe could have done. lie then proceeded Ia
the yard examined carefully the person, dress and
axe OF Barns, Wilmington and Others but could lind
no evidence of guilt. The axes used by these men,
II was thought by Dr. Pryne and DIR. Woodcock, whC
also gave evidence, could not have cut the hair IN
sharper axe was found In the stable. That mlgh
| have done II. IL also bore marks which might bt
| blood but without subjccting them to microscopic
| test witnesses could not say they were blood. A
that po.nt the evidence leaves this strange mystery
! No motive can be assigned for the commission %
/ the deed unless the quarrel with Burns b'
Sufficient, for Jefords had no money In III
poseC sslOn as has been erroneousy stated. lie hat
/ received 800 fron his friend, but had paid III
whole Of IL TO his counsel, who Was endeavorng u
effect his release. Beyond that quarrel no motive
exists, unless some vague hints dropped at variou
times by Jeiierds or revenge on the part 0f Waiton
| friends should point out one The Coroner grante'
| permit TO Nils. Walton, JefYerds mother, 10 tax
the body away for burial. ltwas brought TO TINS ci
| early ON Saturday, and then taken TO washington
| where 10 will be Inferred to-day. The Inquest !
| adjourned til Saturday next, before which time u J
| TO be hoped some clue will be obtained when WI
| throw some light on this bloody and mysteriou
| AFFAIR.
About two hours before his death Jenerds wrot
| the following note 10 his lawyer
| Mr. BAKEn-Peasc drop line, and let me soow VIA
vou Intend doing in my essc and obige yours