The New York herald., 1870-04-15
ANOTHER STROKE OF LIGHTNING.
A Shocking Crime and It's
TIetributiom.
An Aged Broker Robbed and Almost Murdered
at His Office at Midday-The Jack shep.
pards Sent by Judge Bedford to
the State Prison for Nineteen
Years and Six Months

Yesterday, In the General Sessions, one OF the
most important and most thrilling cases Of crtmo
ever tried In this or any criminal court was disposed
OF by Cunning 8. Bedford, Jr our efficient and inde-
pendent City judge Two men. named Francis
began and Daniel Whtner were arragned charged
with robbery in the irst degree, and also with feo-
nious assault and battery, the complainant being
Joseph A. Jackson. The accused pleaded not guilty,
and the prosecuting o[icer proceeded to try them
upon the indictment for robbery.
Joseph A. Jackson, an aged ana venerable looking
old gentleman, tOttered to the stand and told
STARTLING TALE.
It appeared that he carried on the business OF q
broker at No. S Amity street, and that about noon
on the 18th OF March the prisoners entered, looked
around, saw Mr. Jackson and his clerk and said.
"Oh, we have made mistake" and then went out.
Fifteen minutes afterwards they came back. tho
clerk having left in the meantime, and said, II
guess we are right. Is your name Jacksons" to
which the old gentleman replied "Yes." Whitner
then handed Mr.. Jackson letter, which he pro-
ceeded 10 read and while reading /. he was Knocked
senseless with some iron instrument, in1cting
cash upon the head, which the old gentleman ex.
ONCE clothes perfectly saturated with blood and
that for two weeks he was so PROSTATE and uncOn.
scious from OF the beating he received that
he could not recognize his own wife. Mr.. Jackson
had stolen from him gold watch aud chain, yaiu-
able diamond pin. gold match SAFE, bunch OF Keys
and pocketoo0k, the aggregate value Of which was
robert J. Rosenthal, clerk in Mr.. Jacksons en-
ploy, was the next witness who testified that on the
day OF the occurrence between twelve and one
O'Clock, he left Mr.. Jackson alone in the office per-
fecty well IN every respect but when he returned,
three-quarters OF an hour afterwards, he was
FRIGHTENED By THE SPECTACLE
which met his gaze. lie found hls employer lying
on the floor covered with blood; there was not only
large hole in his head, but he was perfectly I'M
were covered with gore. He procured assistance
ana had Mr.. Jackson removed. The clerk described
stating that he saw him have the gold watch and
chain ana the diamond pin IN his SHIRT but on ny
return the pockets were riaed and the vauablcs
DR.. Butles described the physical condition Of Mr..
Jackson when he rst saw num- the me- most sd %a
inches long, in the region OF the ear. The doctor
stated that he was still attending him three times
each 0aY, and expressed the opinion that Mr. jack
| son would finally recover.
OHcers King and Lyon OF the detective force,
testified that they arrested the prisoners on the
Division street. Degan mad MIR. Jackson's gold
| watch and seventy-twO dollars in his pocket and
| Whltner subsequently told the otllcer that II he
| would bring him to Mr.. Jackson he would tell him
This was the case for the people, and after brief
and eloquent address by Mr.. KNITTING, whom tue
Court assigned to defend the prisoners, Mr. Fellows
poured hot shot into the jury box for fifteen min
utes, which resulted in the rendition OF
AvERDICr or GUILTY
| by the Jury without leaving their seats
Judge Bedford called oflcer King 10 state the an
tecedents OF the prisoners who drew rather dark
gan was twice convicted Of burglary, and Whituer
| was arrested several times for different crlmes
TO the usual inquiry which tho clerk prop0undS,
'What Is your occupation" one OF the highwaymen
replied that he was pasterer and the other said he
was a blacksmith. The evidence showed that be-
| tween them old Mr. jackson was pretty well plas-
| tered and pounded by the heartless rufians.
| SENTENCE OF THE COURT.
| Judge Bedford, IN passing sentence, sald:-Fran-
els Degan and Daniel Whitner, you stand convicted
prove conclusvey that you are guilty OF diabolical
outrage 1t is In evidence that on the 18th day or
March you entered the store OF Mr. Joseph A. jack
| son, respectable, gray.halred old gentleman, and
kindly proceeding to comply with your request you
both. like couple of c0wardly assassns, attacked
him, telling him to the ground by striking him on
| the head with heavy iron bar, and beating him In
most fearful manner endangerlng his lie and con-
! lnlng him to his room. where he lay III dellrous
| condition for two weeks. While your vic.
tim lay bleeding, insenslbe and PROSTATE
upon the floor you robbed him OF u
watch. chain and diamond pin worth $1,000, and then
| endeavored to escape but, happily for the ends OF
But yesterday for the protection and welfare OF So
| ciety, was called upon to sentence notorious
rufan to the State Prison for long term. To-day
society demands that should act again, and shall
| act promptly. Such monsters as you are should be
Gagged for life The sentence OF the Court s that you
each be confined in the State Prison, at hard labor,
| for the term Of nineteen years and six months.
The spectators who crowded the court room could
not refrain from
| EXPRESSING THEIR APPROPRIATION
at this just sentence but gave vent 10 their feelings
| In enthusiastic applause. The audience listened
| with breahess attention TO the shocking develop
| ments made by the witnesses in this case, and the
| court room presented much yelier spectacle tnan
tile other branch or the court where the m0not0n0ua
| details OF the Mcfarland case are being evolved.