The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-08-24
A Famous Murder Case.

In murders perpetrated by the relatives of the
VICTIM IN order to get his money or destroy his
will, the facts which point to the assassins have
often been very slow in coming out. OF this class
was the case of Joseph White an aged, wealthy,
and respectable citizen of Salem, Mass who was
killed by his young kinsman, Richard Crownin-
shield, forty years ago. Connected CroWAinS HELD
were his brother George and two cousins, Frank
ana Joseph Knapp. AT the dead OF night Richard
scaled the rear Of Mr.. Whites dwelling in which
were no except his victim and an intirm house
murdered him in bed.
The public mind was shocked when the deed
became known, large rewards were offered for the
discovery of the assassin, and for two months all
Massachusetts was in a flame or excitement. The
Crowninshields and Knapps were not suspected
until two letters, written in disguised hand, were
received by the committee who had the case in
charge. These letters were finally traced home TO
the hnas and led TO their arrest, and that Of the
CroWninshields.
1t was the intention of the prosecution to try
Richard as the principal and his brother and the
Two hnappS as accessories. While in jail Under
the indictment as principal, Richard, knowing
that his case was hopeless, committed suicidc,
intending thereby TO save his three cOnfederates
HIS death frustrated the plan of the prosecution,
and made 1t necessary to recast their programme.
Frank Knapp was then indicted as principal and
the others as his accessories. ...
Frank was put to the bar, and the great struggle
commenced. Daniel Webster led for the State,
and Franklin Dexter for the prisoner, The con-
test Is memorable in criminal jurisprudence. To
convict Knapp as a principal when the proof
showed that he was not present at the murder,
but was remote from the house when it was COM
mltted, taxed the highest powers of Webster. The
common law ana statutes OF Massachusetts prOVl-
ded that to be a principal in a murder party
must be actually present commit the act him
self
Knapp was tried twice. the jury disagreeing at
the first trial Mr. Webster cOntending that Knapp
was in the adjoining street for the purpose of en-
bOldening CrOWninShield to strike the blow to
keep watch, and aid him, if need be in case of ex-
tremity. Mr.. Webster's address the jury is pub
ished in the earlier volumes of his speeches and
Is model of its kind. His comments upon the
term "being present" are subtle and eloquent, but
are believed TO strain the law to its utmost ten
sion.
The suicide of Crowninshied was in vain.-
Knapp eXpiated his crime upon the scatfold. But
II has been the opinion of many able iurists that
the law the law did not warrant his conviction,
and that he fell victim to the excited state of
the public mind and the overpowering cloquence
of Daniel Webster His brother, Joseph Knapp
was afterwards convicted as his accessory, and
executed. There has never been any question
however that it the foolish attempt to mislead
the Salem committee by false information thrsh
simulated letters, which led to the detection of
Frank Knapp and his fellow conspirators. Their
hearts were not sufficiently schOolcd in crime to