The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-09
TRAGEDY IN A PHILADELPHIA PRISON.
Suicide of the Paramount Murderer In 21oya
menstBg Prison.


From the Philadelphia Bulletin, Sept. 81
Joseph Snyder, who shot and killed Richard D.
Carter at Paramount on saturday morning last, com.
United suicide IN Moyamensing Prison sometime
during last night or early this morning.
Snyder was in cell IN the Untried Department
The cell Ia on the second moor, the south corridor
Last evening, when the keepers made their usual
rounds snyder was In good health, and apparently
In good spirits. The murder which he committed
was one OF the most atrocious record and etnce
the time the deed perpetrated Snyder has shown
the greatest indifference to his fate. STILL there has
not been the least suppostion that he would take
This morning, abouutwenry minutes before eight
O'CLOCK Keeper Grub entered the cell OF Synder for
the purpose OF giving him his breakfast. He then
discovered that the prisoner was dead. In each OF
the cells there s bu cket OF water for the
to use when bathing themselves. Snyder had lam
down on the moor, placed his head over the bucket
30 that his neck rested the edge and his face
Ia the water. He had taken the mattress from the
DUNK board, and the latter he drew up and laid
across me shoulders and head In such manner as
70 keep his head IN the bucket In this way he was
suicide Ia novel, and shows that there was great de
termination upon the part OF the miserable wretch
70 take ms own NE and thus relieve the Sheriff Of
very unpleasant task.
Coroner Daniels was notified OF the occurrence
summoned Jury and proceeded TO the prison for
the purpose Of holding an inquest IN the case Tho
jury visited the cell and found the body OF Snyder in
the position which we have described. The follow.
ing evidence was elicted:-
William Ii. Grub, keeper, testifed-This morn
Ing, about twenty minutes before eight O'clock I
went 70 snyder's cell and found him dead he was
Vistcu W MS VINO iuet uIBuI. bHe SAID tnat IL
probably the last time that she would see him: she
pited the Carter family and reproached her husband
for having committed the murder she attribute led
the act TO the pistol being In the house and said tha
at one time she had had the pistol taken away as
she was afraid that her husband contemplated sui.
eide; the bucket was one used by the prisoner to
wash In; ! was In the cell last night about ten
O'Clock; Snyder appeared to be composed; he told
me that he forgot to tell his wife about building
association.
William B. Perkins, superintendent testified
on MONDAY J saw snyder IN his cell ha told
me that ne had done the killing In excitement;
saw him again yesterday morning; this morn.
ing was called; found him dead IN the cell;
the doctor examined him and pronounced hun
deao we let the body remain in the same Condition
until the coroner came we never open the cells ct
night unless some alarm is given, It Is not con.
sdered safe the keepers Instructed never to 20
70 cells at night single.handed
Dr. Silas Updegrove te stfed-Made a post NOR.
TEN examination OF the deceased opened the cavity
OF the chest and examined the lungs found them
very much conRested, presenting such evidence OF
strangulatlon or suGoca!0n as Is found In case OF
drowning; the heart was in o sound and natural
condition; the deceased came TO his death from
drowning.
This closed the testimony. and the Jury agreed
upon the following verdct:-''rhat Joseph Snyder
came 10 his death by drowning In q bucket OF water
september 8, 1853, in the County Prson.n