Litchfield enquirer., 1869-06-03
NEW HAVEN coRREspoNDENoE.


 MR.EDIToR.-In my last communication prom ised to write on the institutions" of New Haven. but have not as yet had opportunity of securing sufficient number of facts to make satisfactory article will therefore content myself by briefly writing of that occurrence which has recently grossed the public mind of this locality.
 Although this city has long sustained the rep utation Of being not only a celebrated seat of learning and refinement, but also of a morality designated by ths svoridls minded ss bordering On tho blue" of our forefathsrs, it ia daily changing it's character in this latter respect and may soon be classed as s successful rival of those great "sinks of iniquity," New York and New Orleans. In all probability the next esnsua will show this city to contain upwards of sixty thousand people; and, judging from the rapid increase of crime and immortality, the iawless and desperate form large per centage of the growth in our population.
 The public have been and are still, greatly exci- ted over the fearful tragedy which oeeurrel in Wallace street, on the the ming of Sunday, May 9th-a deed of blood which for atrocity has never been excelled in this section. It appears, from the evi dence given before the jury of inquest and the City Court that on the above mentioned eyen- ing an Irishmhn named George McVetey, in com pany with one or two other persons, was standing on the pavement near tha New Britain House, on Wallace street, when German acquaintance named Peter Erlacher came across the street to him and was asked by McVetey for a pipe which he was using. Erlacher complied with the request, whereupon McVetey, without further provocation, l So far as can be ascertanei, thrust a knife into him twico, with great force probably for gratif- | cation of some private revenge. Erlacuer fell to ths ground, at the same time calling for one Louis Be nsch--a fellow countryman and roommate of his-who happened to be near and came to his as- l sstance. Upon this, Mcyetey turned upon Bensch, l giving him six fearful stabs one of which would, in all probability, have proved atal,-and from which he died in very few minutes. Erla- cher rose from the ground, and ran int, the New Britain House with his hands pressed upon his | bowels, which protruded from ti,e woand in hls abdomen. McGetey and his companions fed An alarm was at once given by the police, and crowd soon collected at the scene of the murder Search was made for the murderer, which was at first un- successfully but, two or three days alter the occur renee, ne was found concealed within short dis ] tance of the New Britain House. Much excite ment was manifested when it was learned that he WAS aiTeSteu, anu d ctOWu or some two thousand people followed him in his journey to the station house. It was fearei by the officers that an at | tempt would be made to execute summary justice upon him.
 l The body of Bensch was placed ill the dead house under City Hall, where it was visited by thousands of people. His wounds were of the most terrible and ghastly nature, severing the heart Erlacher survived, ia great agony for nearly two weeks after his injuries, aai was bur jed from City Hall, Sunday, May 23.
 1 The murderer is villainous looking specimen ofdepravity, and msnifests no contritiop for his dreadful deed--merey saying he acted in seif-de. fence His trial will probably occur at the Sep. tember term of the Superior Court. ,.d
 In concluding this letter let me say to your read ers if they wish to realize the beauties of the nat tural scenery of the sCity of Elns," now is the time to make us a visit. The trees are cloth cd with luxuriant verdurs. the Green is | gem o beauty, and the weather cannot be excelled.
 1 New Haven, May %, 1869. ..s-s. ]. et.