The New York herald., 1871-01-22
THE ROGERS lURDER HOAX.

AUBURN, N. Y, Jan. II, 1877.
1t would be hard to say with any degree Of ac-
curacy whether the passion for notorlety or the de-
sire to obtain riches. which are implanted in the
breasts OF all of more or less develop more cases
OF extraordinary infatuation and folly. But when
the two found in full growth in one man NJ the
time 1t is but natural expect results either
absurd or grand. The story am about to give TO
your readers and which is now the talk OF the cOun
try hereabOut, would certainly never enrich
your columns but for the fact that In the breast Of
keeper OF the prison here these two deceptive de-
sres were harbored In secret Fired with ambition
to outdo In cueness all the detectives Of the State
and country and at the same time to utterly demosh
the pretentous pomp OF his hitherto more fortunate
acquaintances by sudden jump into the possession
OF little fortune, A. G. Hoffman persuaded himself
some three weeks since that he and he alone was
destined to unrave the mystery that surrounds the
murder OF Mr. Rogers 1t was his thought by day and
his dream by night; he talked with It, walked with 1t
and sat uponit ncessantly and the more he thought
the matter the more certain seemed the early
| accomplishment Of his hopes. Walking one day
into the state shop In the prison. over which he had
charge as keeper and no DOUBT dreaming, as usual,
| he overheard two convicts speaking. One, named
| Francis Z. Pnton, said:-.I told him to let 60 or
1 me three or four times before struck him;'' and
| some time AFTER
L THAT DAhNEU Nluuhh ON ldE clDEWALhs
| Putting two and two together, as he afterwards
explained, lie saw at once that the convict, who
| was committing himself In this wild way, must be
the desperate rufian who assassinated Mr. Rogers
| In New York. Hencelorth he mad no lin
gering doubts, even While. INDIGESTION griped
linn. Celebrity and wealth were almost
aware tnat IN the detective business profound
secrecy Is everythng that to look as wise as an owl
and maintain perfect silence concerning the busi.
ness In hand are absolutely essential. But this
| knowledge, though 1t encouraged him. worried him
constant and most profound thinking he at length
determined to pour INTO some sympatnizing ear the
q cheerful story Of his hopes This TOO, was puzzllng
take all the credit aud the most OF the reward Tor
the capture OF the murderer, and the other officers
AN INkLlNa OF WHAT WAS ON THE CARPET,
oust him altogether. He resolved to convey his sus
pcions TO the man with whom Francis E. Plnton
tne Fellow who said ~ told hun to let go" &C.,
conversing IN the state shop. An opportunity
| being made, this was done, and there and then
Harris, the conrade and partner OF Pinton, voun-
teered TO find out and get at the whole confession OF
| After a conference with Plnton Harris saw the
Keeper alone and told him long yarn, to the effect
that Pnton had fully confessed to him that he and
''anoJher man. murdered Mr. Rogers The keeper
was wild with delight, and at once set about 'put
ting up Jobn with the assistance OF his lieutenant
| the convict Harris, to overhear the latter drawing
| out Pinton. night was selected when the two
men were together in a CELL HOFFMAN crept to the
door and listened. He very soon heard remarks Of
| much pith and moment.
'Tney are pushing you hard about the MURDER"
II don't care d. carelessly remarked the
bloody minded wretch. "Ill cheat the ga.lows any
now now MY cFaaces nan, to prove myself innocent are
lively against me-a thing ne would not dare to do
| II had chance 10 get my liberty" And much
| And again, on another occasion, the ready
Harris detailed to Hoffman, with much mnuteness,
conversation he had With Pinton While the latter
| was
| LYING on HIS BED AND GRoANING LIKE MAD.
Plnton was made To remark, ~ suppose the fellow
who Is giving me away is the man exchanged coats
| with. had OH the mans coat after the maruer.
out on the sidewalk NY partner ran away, and
SAID, DON'T DO it, had knife IN my hand and
the same who was tried for the murder"
After this Mr. Keeper Hoffman wrote to Mayor
Hall, notifying him OF his Important discovery, and
kelso couldn't see anyth ng In the a1a.r-probably
for the excellent and efficient reason that Plnton
! 1.-THE confessor," was under lock aad key IN the
| Tombs the day the murder OF MIR. Rogers took
place-and didn't Of course, do anything about 1t.
Growing desperate at last Hoffman talked about
| his important discovery TO several people, and the
result was despatch by the Associated Press. Horf
California; but he was as far or the reward as ever
| paid a visit to the prison this morning for tho
Of Of fataomng the t mystery; found that tn the
man. the keeper, were fully satisfied that Pinton's
confession-if, indeed he did "coniess' anything at
| aIl-was an artful dodge, concocted by him and
| Harris Tor their benefit. They expected two things
! to result-arst, that Pinton would be pardoned out
by the Governor before belng put on trial for mur-
| der, and the trial breaking down. as 1t must, his
1 freedom would then be accomplished; second, that
HARRIS WOULD GET HIS TIME SHORTENED
and obtain sum OF money in reward for mis- va,ua-
BILE information and nat this theory Of the officers
| villains made by me abundanIy proved. Pinton
continued to hint that he murdered Mr. Rogers, and
went so far as TO refuse his food as sort Of hint
| that he thought himself unworthy to live; but as
! soon as he dlscovered-as ne did from one Of the
/ Offcers-that under no circumstances would
| he be pardOned he took his 1oOd as usual,
/ and declared that he was "only funnlng''
| Harris about the Rogers murder In proof OF his
cunning he referred the oicers and your corre-
spondent to the records OF the Tombs to prove his
innocence, and sure enough 1t has been ascertaned
that the books Of Warden Tracy showed that PintOn
was In the Tombs on tine day OF the murder.
Plntnn is an intelligent scoundre, English by
| birth, very nervous in his manner and cunning
| villain. His companion, Harris is a powerful,
well knit fellow, OF about thirty years OF age, and
also quite intelligent Although f0ed in their plot,
their hearts, content