The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-19
FRIDAY MORNING., MARCH 10, 1869.
THE PoYDRAs STREET TRAGEDY.
Arrest of Fifth Negro, Accused
of the Deed. fsaI
He is Identified by An Eye-Witness.


Az We had anticipated, new and important de.
developments yesterday trsnspired In relation 70
the attempt at murder on Poydrss steet, on Wed.
nesday morning. the discussion Of which formed a
frequent topic Of conversation yesterday, on &C.
account Of the mystery attending its commission.
But the developments were made sooner than
most had anticipated, for II seems that Special
Officer Dipert, having become interested in the
working up Of the case, and hardly satisfied that
any one of the four negroes arrested was the
guilty party, sailed out alone toward the neigh
borhood of Poydras and Galvez streets, about two
O'Clock In the morning, for the purpose of making
further Investigation He had besn during the
day. tracing up two negroes, one named Edward
johnson, the other Owen Carpenter, to the
former Of whom his suspicious had been directed.
lDquiIing at one or two places where this johnson
had lived, he was told that the man had moved
away. Yet. persevering, he discovered that the
object Of his search had for two nights past been
sleeping at house on Poydras street, about four
squsres away from the scene of the tragedy. To
this place alone officer Dipert went He found 1t
frame cottage, neat enough in outward appear
ance, and entering by an alley way. raped gently
atthe back door, pistol 10 hand. "who dar!'' said
gruff voice from within. The officer then push
ed open the door, and, quickly striking match,
found himself confronted by the interlocutor to
whom he unconcernedly recommended silence,
and stated that he wanted those men johnson and
Carpenter, and was going to take them. The man
thus taken by surprise, offered no objection. Off
Ger Dipert says that by the partial light of the
match in his hand he saw the floor covered with
sleeping negroes of either sex, over whom step
ping he reached ladder or steep steps leading
up into garret where his men were. Ascending.
q match burning in one hand, his cooked pistol in
the other. he found johnson and Carpenter both
lying sound asleep under one blanket and only af-
ter several forcible applications of his foot
awakened them. "Whst the hi does all this
mean?" said johnson, raising himself up. at
MEANS" said the officer, "that you are suspected
of connection with this mgrdsr.n johnson an
swered, "Well, you've come pretty soon, any.
how.n
"Get up and put on your coa,s,u continued
Officer Dipert keeping the room Lit meanwhile by
single chips he had picked up. The men both
arose and put on their coats, which had been
under their heads as pillows. johnson, arising
sndputng on his coatsnd hat disclosed himself ar.
ray ed in black hat, black coat and blue army pants
the dress said 10 have been worn by the assailant
There were also found under Johnson's coat two
folded white towels, recently ironed, and sack
rags.
All this time Mr.. Dipert's position was no com.
Portable one. alone as he was, upstairs with two
desperate characters. (for Carpenter and johnson
are both said TO be well known as sueh) and with
bis avenne of departure below crowded with
their friends. he made Carpenter, who is lame,
go down the ladder first, johnson in the middle and
himself last, and in this way followed them out
INTO the alley, 10 the sidewalk and all the way to
l. I7.-sn a. - -.
about three O'Clock A. NJ, about two hours before
daylight. johnson was grumbling all the way
boasting of his ability to beat those fellows mean
ng bis sssociates) at gambling. and at times
swearing terribly. A search Of their pockets by
The turnkey at the station brought TO light roll
of dimes. tied up In rag with q string, in pre-.
cisely the way the husband of the wounded
woman had described roll of dimes stolen
rom his house when the affair occurred.
where did you get this money!" inquired the
pointing to johnson. Officer Dipert then took
Carpenter aside. and obtained from him the fol.
owing statements: He said johnson had come
,ome that night at twelve O'Clock; that he (Csr.
1enter) bad ssid, johnson, there is q great st-nk
1eIng kicked up about this murder to-day" that
Johnson answered be had been all day on the
evee; that he (Carpenter) replied "You could
'ot have been there, or would have seen your
bat johnson then pulled the roll of dimes from
lis pocket and handed them TO him, saying,
Don't say anything more about it."
After these statements by Carpenter both men
we're locked up. In the morning johnson was
confronted with the colored man Charley Grant,
Who had said he had seen the blow struck. and |
Who identified him as being, in his opinion, the
nan who struck ii. The seven negroes, Jones,
smith, Grant, Major johnson, Lorenzo. Edward |
Johnson and Carpenter, were then all brought in |
o the superintendent's Office, and taken thence !
emporarily into the little back room adjoining it.
The husband Boraffskie mot Borowska, as re-
orted yesterday,) was then brought in and asked |
be could point out the negro, according to the |
escription given by his wife? HE thought he
ould, )" he said, and was thereupon told to turn |
is back for few moments. The seven colored ]
len were then brought out and placed in row at |
he opposite side Of the room, after which Boraff. |
ki was directed TO face TO the front gain look at
be seven and point out the man answering the de. |
cription given him. The seven stood there, four |
countenances and rsggedly clad |
rames. Boraffski looked for moment and point.
q bis finger toward Edward johnson, who stood |
be third from the right of the line.
During the morning, the seven were arraigned
efore Recorder Becker, all upon one affidavit.
sadipg as follows:
The State of Louisiana, First District, city OF
ew Orleans; the state VS.. Richard Jones, Chas.
rant. Major johnson, Charles Lorenzo ,, Ed. John
)hn, Wesley Smith and Owen Carpenter.
Personally appeared before me, John p. Becker,
ecorder OF the First District of the city of New
feans, and justice of the peace, duly commits
oned and sworn: special Dipert, central police
alton, who having been duly sworn doth depose
I'D say, that from information received one
ichard Jones, one Charles Grant. one Major
Dhnson, one Charles Lorenzo, one Ed. Johnson,
ad one Owen Csrpenier. did on Wednesday. March
III, lS6y, between the hours OF and II O'CLOCK 4
NJ, on Poydras street, in this district and CITY,
ssult ard wound on the head, dangerously, with
weapon supposed to be an AK. with intent to
II and murder, enc Mrs. Mary Bofaffskie also
e said prisoners did feloniously take, steal. and
lrry away from the person Of said Mrs. Mary
orsfskie, after she was wounded, the sum OF
)out S45 in currency. Wherefore he charges the
i'd prisoners above named with robbery, and at
npt TO kill and murder, in violation Of law, and
lsinst the peace and dignity Of the State Of
ouisiana. And, therefore, deponent prays that
q aforaoafd Efchard Ionao Nharlao raot Maior |