The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-15


Trial OF Atkerson mt Hacikcnsacix, N. j., for
the Murder Of Peter Stokull at Upper Fns-
cack.
The Times tribune and World rather astonished
the good people of Hackensack, N. j. by publishing
In their issues OF yesterday account OF the open
ing Of the trial OF Dickey the murderer. in the Ber-
gen County Court, at HackeDsack, ON Monday, at
which trial. according to them. "a large number OF
witnesses were summoned, several OF whom were
sworn and testled.n The fact Is tnat Dickeys trial
does not come Off until next Thursday.
The trial OF Atkerson for the murder OF Peter
stokum, ON The 18th of October last, nAs. however
begun on Monday afternoon at the Court o: Oyer and
Terminer and was continued yesterday. Several
witnesses sworn, who testified to the following
facts:-That on the day OF the night the murder Is
supposed to have taken place Atkerson and Stokum
went TO New York together, where they sold
some baskets, both being basket makers,
and stokum an employe Of Atkerson; that
they both visited drinking saloons together,
when Atkerson took i've dollar bill out OF Stokum's
pocket aud refused to give IL back to him; that
whenever they bad drinks afterwards they were
paid for out OF this i've dollars: mat leaving the
last saloon (Wortendyke'sl they visited Atkerson
told Stosun to bid all his friends IN the place fare
we;n the latter VINO was by that time very mucn
under the influence Of liquor. did as he was bid.
md then both ieit together; this was tue last seen
Of Slokum alive.
Two witnesses syore 10 seeing on the night OF the
murder o man beating another on the road al IA.
cack: they did not go 10 his assistance being
AFRAID they were not willing 10 swear that the
man who was on the ground was Stosum, or that
the one who was beating hun was Atkerson.
The Coroner WHO held the inquest on the body OF
the deceased was the last witness sworn Yesterday.
He testified thai Atkerson before he was arrested or
accused Of the murder, said he 'felt badly about
being the last one who had been seen In Company
Of Stoknm, The night OF the murdern and at another
time that people might believe because Of this fact,
that he was the murderer" and added, rd sooner
blow ont brains with DstOl than XII one. ~
and that 10 would oc wrong ito think that he was
the murderer, as he aud Pete had always got along
well together, aud he Atkersonl never had had any
thing against him. The Coroner also testliled
tnat when Atgerson, after his arrest, was
told ne could If ne liked make q statement
under oath, ne said ne was entirely Ignof-
he didn't know what 10 do and asked the Coroner's
advice az 10 whether not IL would be better Tor
him 70 make statement: the Coroner then testi-
fed as 20 the arrest as fNlows:-An officer sent
10 Atkerson VINO told him he had TO 20 along with
MIN; the prisoner seemed nj the time To feel very
badly over The arrest and began 10 cry II was then
that ne SAID that he would sooner blow his brains
out than kin any one; on going with hini 70 his
home pair OF pants II the prisoners was found
hanging % dry on the clothes Inc; on beng asded
he replied that ne nad on these. but it
was afterwards shown that he mad worn
when asked as to why no had them washed he replied
tbat be had bought them and q coat IRON q ssra
road Irsh,r aud that hs wife refused TO let him
wear them before they were washed, as she was
AFRAID that there was ''Iive stockr In them.
The case will ne continued to-day, when the pro-
secution expect to get In all their evidence. The
| defence will ondeavor 10 prove an abi for the
prisoner the night OF the murder. The evidence
against Atkcrson Il entirely crcumstantia. The
advanced In years. and was regarded By his neigh
bors rs suiot and peaceanle citizen "a a general
rue; bni they say that whenever he was aneercd or
! Under any undue excitement ne became almost un-
gg7ernapie md was very violent toward every one
VINO came near niin