The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-13
MURDER AT SING SING PRISON.
A CONVICT'S REV ENGE.
Driving an Adze Through q Negroes Brain
How the Murderer Was Discovered and Iden-
tiied-Coroner's Inquest and Verdict Of
the Jury-Statsment of the Accused.

An inquest was held at Sing Sing Prison yester-
day, by Coroner Smith, on the body OF negro con-
Wet named Joseph Walker. whose death was caused
by injuries received at the hands OF fellow convict
on the SOth day of June last
1t seems that shortly after two O'Clock on the af-
ternoon OF that day convict at work In one OF The
lime kilns informed his keeper, James Fulton, that
man had been STRUCK" fastening TO a small shed
situated underneath a cooper shop, where barrels
are made, Fulton saw the negro,
COVERED WITH BLOOD
and having CORY adze In one hand Walker was
staggering about, while another convict was en-.
deavoring to support him. On beng asked what was
the matter with him, Walker at first replied II don't
know but Immediately after stated that Edward
Morgan had struck him with the adze. The injured
man having been conveyed to the hospital, DR..
Collins the prison physician on examination found
that the had penetrated the skull at the juno
ton OF the temporal and occipital bone, splitting
o6vthe latter, and had
PASSED THROUGH THE BRAIN
n a lateral direction to the extent OF about
two inches. Walker was then told that
he could not survive. and on his re-
lterating that it was Morgan who dealt
the murderous blow, the latter was brought to the
bedside Of the injured man, who, while conscious Of
his fast approaching end, fully Identified Morgan in
presence OF several witnesses. The accused stoutly
DENIED HIS GUILT.
yeIl.taie spot OF fresh blood was discovered on
his cap, and for which he tried to account by
saying that he had killed an obnoxious
insect with Ii. The suspicious against Morgan were
sill! further confirmed by another convict VINO saw
the accused and his victim alone IN the shed not
many seconds before
THE FATAL BLOW
was struck. Other circumstances connected with
the tragedy point almost unerringly TO the guilt of
the accused, VINO persists III a total denial Of the
charge against him. From all that can be ascer-
tanned 1t woud appear That Morgan did not lack
a motive for the murderous deed, as 1t
is asserted among the convicts that Walker divulged
particulars OF nameless and horrible offence which
Morgan mad frequently committed upon him by
mutual consent. Notwithstanding the fact that
Walkers skull was laid open and his brain terribly
lacerated with the keen edge OF the adze, he sur
vived eleven days, retaining Iull
CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE LAST.
This Is partly accounted for by the excessive
ton OF the brain. Deceased. who freedman,
was found guilty OF the CRIME OF murder by q mill
tary commission, convened at Camden, :. G., Jam
meDt at sing Sing. he was about twenty-one years
old.
THE INQUEST.
In his testimony before the jury of inquest Or. Col
lns forth the TACT stated above regarding the
,ure ana extent OF me prisoners INJURIES ana the
also testified that death was occasioned by the
wound already described Having heard the EVIL
dence or several other witnesses the jury rendered
verdict that Walker came TO his death rom wound
Inflicted by an adze In the hands OF Edward Nor
gan.
WHAT THE ACCUSED SAYS.
Accompanied 10y Mr.. +. l.. Lafn inspector IN
charge the HERALD representative visited the
prisoner IN his cell for the purpose OF taking any
statement when he might wish to make In regard
To the crime. Morgan, who is rather prepossesslng
In appearance, quietly protested his innocence or
the alleged mnrrier, and SAID that he and the de-
ceased had always been on tue most friendly terms
lie also said that he was In The habit OF
teaching the deceased TO read, and this
was one reason why ne was suspected OF having
been near Walker when the assault was made.
While admitting that circumstances were against
him, the accused expressed himself being able to
prove his innocence when the proper time arrived.
Morgan was convicted In Westchester county Of
grand larceny In october. 1870 and sentenced by
Judge Cochran to three years. penal servitude The
prisoner q native or the city OF New York, and Is
about invent one years old.