New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-08
THE WESTPoEE MASS. MURDER.

PREVIOUS STATEMENTS CoNTRADIcrFD THE
MURDER COMMITTED BY A YOUNG COLORED
BOY-HIs CONFESSION.
Boston, Dec. THE statement that Benz.
Howard was brutaly murdered by two boys at West
port gave the tragedy such peculiar phase that II 10
being discussed in all circles OF society all the state
The young colorod boy who was first arrested under the
name Of Cufce and who made confession that another
boy named John Petis, Petty, committed the deed,
has since made another confession which gives the case
altogether q different appearance. The Acl0 BcdJ0rd
Mercury Of this morning gives the following additional
facts in the case:
At5s o'clock yesterday morning the officers returned
from WestpOTt with the boy, john Edward Petty, IN
custody lie was found at the residence OF his father
Potter Petty, on by-road thrcequarteE5 OF a mile
OF the MURDER and said he had nothing 70 do VITA IT,
He about 10 years o. the uai 57c Cor that age K pot
lie physical ability or courage TO commit such de ID.
= appears that the colored boys real name Hal. and
he was known Cufee because he had hycd Wlth ms
grandfather, Samuel Culee, and his uncle Jonn ounce
YeIfefIy morming Hall sent for Marsha, smaey aud
made a full confess iOn of the deed differing macriay
with the statement made to the officers Monday night
any suspicion repeated IN the presence Of oar re-
porter last evening, aud is substantially as follows;
Hall says he about o'clock Tuesday morning
took his gun. and went to Howars house Wltn the h-
tcntUn OF robbns hun Arriving thgIe, ne mao an VI
successful attempt open the window ana door NI q
crUwbar but fearing 70 alarm tie old man, ga'r II up,
Intending 20 the house when Howard went a. milk
He hid himself behind the orchard wall, and the old man
soon came out with his milkpail and went 70 the Darn
Instead OF going to the house. Hall remained behind tie
wall waiting for Howard TO return men tie ola man
returned with his mipa In his hand aud - ne reached
snot between the wall and the house Hal rested the
c1lh on the wall and fired. The old said What
YOU abOutw and walked as aras the front door, when ue
fell backward the doorstep The boy then struck MN
vice on the head with a wooden wdStpOuuder, WHICH
ne found near the house ana killed him. Hall says MS
victim never spoke after his fSt CauatOh, and 2rd
stirred The wallet and key taken from his pocket
aud the body then dragged 10 The meadow, where
Hall dug grave. He placed the corpse IN II, but IL
deep enough and he took II out and cut Oh the
leg IL grew light this time aud he Durredy covered
10 with leaves aud went home again, throwing TIE wal
let and KEY which he took from the body into the woods
and also the pistol which he had with him. The whole
deed waiting for the old man, committing the murder
and Inuatng and hiding the body occupied about three
hours and shortly after O'Clock tie boy returned home
Law down on his bed and afterward etc breakfast On
The way home Hall took the money S2 co. from the wal
let and threw that and the key In the bushes.
Hall says he thought yesterjaJ morning, mat " was
wrong charge Petty with the crime ana, after THINK
ing over what Officer Dayton told mm IN regard 10 ne
wrong OF charging an innocent boy with the murder
concluded il best 70 tell the truth. de says frty
had nothing do with It, and that his previous story
so far a. il concerned Petty, was he. District
Attorney MarstOn Is satisfied Of the truth or the nara
tive ana Petty will he sent back 70 lis nome to-day
Hall does not appear to realize the danger OF lis p0
gitou or the magnitude Of the crime which ne has com
mted He was perfectly cool during the recital OF the
saturday aud sorry that he murdered Howard. lie
saws he knew he should tel all about II some time aud Is
glad that the matter Is of his mind The boy talks WELL
sbowe considerable shire wdness aud by no means as
ignorant and simple he sometimes appears HIS per-
sOupl appearance not prepOssessng. He IL nNe itet
eight inches hight, has thorough negro face with
very forehead aud thick DusDy hAI. Ee VIII De eA-
umined to-day or tomorrow.