The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-08
The WEsTPORT (nASs.) HORROR.
Another Confession by the Negro Boy Cuff
He Pronounces the Petty Boy Innocent and
Declares Himself the Principal 10 the Crime.

Another Confession by the Negro Boy Cuff
He Pronounces the Petty Boy Innocent and
Declares Himself the Principal 10 the Crime.
NEW BEDFORD Mass, Dec. I, 1870.
The Wesiport tragedy, by which Mr.. Howard
was sent to his account In such sudden
and tragic manner, continues to be the
absorbing topic OF conversation In this city
end vicinity. 1t has cast gloom over the whole
community, and the youth Of the murderers does
lot seem to cool the anger OF the people or restrain
them from desire u administer the swift and Sc
we're punishment characteristic Of Judge Lynch. In
my letter to the HERALD or yesterday the fact OF
the arrest of Edwin Petty the alleged accomplice
OF young Cufi, was recorded. He was found at the
residence Of his father. Potter Petty, ON by-roal
tnree-quarters OF mile north OF Mr. Howards
house. Some little objection to allowing the boy TO
be taken was made by the father, but the officers
were nrm and the boy arrested without any
trouble. He denied all knowledge OF the murder
and said he had nothing to do with 1t. He was
about fifteen years Old about the usual size for thai
age, and is rot particularly bright looking, and
does not appear TO have the physical ability
or courage to commit such deed. The other
colored boy heretofore alluded TO as cum is named
Hall, but he was known as Cufiee, for the reason
that he lived with his grandfather, Samuel Cunee
During the day yesterday he retracted his previous
confession, and msde second statement differing
materially from his story Of Monday night and
charged as being the principal In the crime
Hall says he rose about four O'Clock Tuesday morn.
ing took his gun and went to Towards house with
the intention OF robbing hin. Arriving IN sre he
made an unsuccessful attempt TO open the window
and door with crowbar but fearing TO alarm the
old man gave 1t up, intending to enter the house
wnen Howard went TO milk lie hid himself
behind the orchard wall, and the old man
soon came ont with his milk pail and went TO
the barn. Instead OF gong to the Rouse Han
renamed behind the wall waiting for Toward 10
return. When the Gid man returned with his milk
the wall and the house, Hail rested the gun on the
wall and fred. The old man said, "Wnat
are .yon about" AMI walked as far as the
front door, when he fell backwards on the
doorstep. The boy then struck him twice on
found near the house, and Killed him Nail ni'u sa We
his Victim never spoke after his FIRST exclamation
and hardly stirred. The wa let and key were taken
previously described. The whole deed-waiting
for the oid man, committing the murder and null
hours, and shortly afer seven O'CLOCK cs '" the
and Afterwards ate breakfast. on the way
home Hall took the money, $l2 so, from the wallet
and threw that and the key in the bushes. Hall
says he thought Yesterday morning that 1t was
wrong to charge Petty with the crime. and after
thinking over what oilcer Dayton told him in re-
gard to the wrong Of charging an innocent boy with
the murder concluded II was best to tell the truth;
that his previous story so far as II concerne1 Petty
was lie. The District Attorney being satisfied
charged and sent home, and Hall was arraigned
before the Police Court on the charge Of wilfu!
InuTueT, OUT tHe examination was postponed
for week. The young criminal does
not appear to realize the danger OF his position,
or the magnitude Ct the crime which he has
committed. He was perfectly cool during the re-
cital OF the deed and says he felt ashamed when
saw the body on Saturday, and was sorry that he
murdered Howard. He says he knew he should
tell all about some time, and Is glad that the mat
ter Is on his mind The boy talks well, shows con.
siderable shrewdness, and Is by no means as lg-
norant ana simple as he sometimes appears.
The circumstances leading to Halls detection are
interesting, and exemplify the power OF crcum-
slantial evidence. On Sunday afternoon Deputy
Constables Durham and hitch, and officer Dayton,
went 10 the Head of Westport after hearing Of the
murder. Their suspicious were FIRST directed TO
Hall on account Of contradictory state
ment made before the coroner's jury. AMI subse-
quenty they were strengthened by tie fact Of
the money In his possession Captain Perry
arrived on the spot on Monday afternoon, with
Mr.. Marston, and Perry and DAYTON took Hall from
the school ostensiby as guide to the OF the
murder. Here his actions were somewhat sns-
picous, he evidently avoiding looking upon the IN
tended grave, and he was arrested, and state Con-
stable Dunham brought him to his city, The other
proofs were soon obtained and the murderer had no
alternative but a full confession OF the deed.