The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03
TRAGIC AFFAIR IN MASSACHUSETTS
Highwny Robbery and IIurder-An Old Man
tho Victim and Two Boys the Principals.

tho Victim and Two Boys the Principals.
From the Boston Herald, Dec. IL
The fact that daring highway robbery was COM
mitled at PEABODY last saturday nignt has ALREADY
been announced, anu now II appears thar the lu-
jurIes inflicted upon the victim by his assaliants
have resulted fatally ana that 'murdei most 1ouln
mas been added TO tae CRIME OF highway robbery.
Toe lacls as far W. have Deen aple TO learn,
substantially as foows:-5uorJy alter nine o'c ocx
on SATURDAY. evening an inoifenstve old man named
LORD, whose occupation Was tiat OF stohecutter,
aud who boarded al the Naamkeag House, in Pea
body, maze his appearance at that hotci III SEMI
conscious state caused as was subsequently ascer-
talned, by vioenG GLOW upon his head.
Before ne could relate the circumstances under
winch the injuries were occasioned the old gentle
man became entirely lnsenslOle ana renamed In
taat conuiCion until late hour Monday night,
when ne dled. Meanwhile the matter was carefully
investigated ana II became known tnat several paf-
ties mad been acco5ted Ia PEABODY Saturday nlgnr
and threatened WIN instant death II they did not
deliver their wallets ana purses TO the hignwayuen
laborer named james Murphy informed the police
authorities Cnat wniie returning homewaid through
Foster street he was accosteu ny Two young men,
oae OF whom demanded nl5 ''Oney or MS iile." The
nigna ny man Deng armed WIN heavy c.ub lie
daie ed not huzaru AN encounter witn the lelow anu,
concluding tnit discretion was the better part OF
valor, ne begged on the Plea OF age ana poverty;
but H. er gettng short distance III advance Of the
robbers he cried aoud lor assistance, whereupou
they threatened to blow his brains out II he made
any nlltner outcry lie tnen went nome deter
mined TO INFORM the poc &C authorities or the
attempted ROBBERY at the earnest opportunity.
Sunday morning, wale the particulars OF the
cowardiy attack upon or. Lord were spreading
rapidly through the community lad residing
toward the bake mouse, PICKED up u WHITE OAK pump
handle aoouG two leel niue ncle5 long, witn iron
eyeDo,t tnrough tae ne.lsy end. Tnls was stained
win blood IN several places agd upon taking il
nome the lads father urcading mat
Justice while she winks nj crimes
Stanoes on iunocense sometimes
ordered him to take II back and replace IL as near
the same siot ana position rs he had found IL. The
boy proceeded 10 do rs uirecel ald arrived at tue
pace Just as eX-oilicer SAacAley and Selectman
Airos Merrill were searching Tor traces OF the bloody
deed. THESE ge.teinea tae boy related all nc
knew regarding the affair, aud soon aiJerWar Mr..
Murphy's story was heard
From the aescrp ION OF the highwaymen given by
Murphy GRACE Oh gttiaiits, AaMsd james ID. Kicker
and frank Il. bowers were arrested Dy officer b. ).
Lilteleid aud mir. Shaekiey, and tney were brought
before trial Jusuce Perkins, AT Peabody SuD-e-
quently tney were Identified Dy Murphy and under
THESE circumstances t0ey were freely committed 10
await an examination on Monday morning next.
Kicker Is naLlve Danyers, Is about seventeen
years or age, whae his companion s also IN his
'teeAs.u Both prisoners deny AL knowledge OF the
crime. Bowers was concerned IN setting lire to q
schuuhOuse aDout i've wears ago aud escaped pun
ishment 81 turnlng 9taic'5 evidence Counsel have
been engaged Tor tae prisoners, and II they are IN
nucent TACT will be known ere long. The victim
was married nan, ala formerly Ive1 at Lyn u,
where his wlle anu two sons at present reside.