The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-19
MURDER UPON RANDALrS ISLAND.
A Juvenile Delinquent Stabbs an 0verseer-
Death Of the victim-The Assassins Antece-
denx-The Deed Done with Shoe Knife.

One OF the most cOld-DlOoded and atr0cious muir
dcrs ever committed was perpetrated last Sunday
evening upon Randal's Island. The victim was
Samuel Calvert, the overseer In the north shop OF
the House OF Refuge, man who appears to have
held high place In the esteem OF all with whom he
came in contact. IN fact deep gloom seems to hang
over the institution, In whose halls his football will
never more be heard, the authorities and the in
mates seeming to feel alike that good man whom
they had every cause to respect has been removed
from their midst.
THE UNFORTUNATE MAN
was born IN Ireland about forty years ago and came
to This country soon after attaining his majority.
Since 1852 he was connected with the House OF
Refuge on kandals Island, and flied the position
Oh overseer Tor the past nine years. He leaves
widow and one child to mourn his untimely end.
The murderer, Justus Dunn, stands registered
upon the books OF the institution as No. H. $40, and
Is the subject OF very dark record. He was born
In Ulster county, New York, In 1855, ana sent to
the Institution when only thirteen years Old as q
vagrant: HIS mother died about eight years ago,
but his father Justus s. Dunn, still resides at New
burg, Is in the employ Of the Pennsylvania Coal
Company. and, according to all accounts, appears to
be a very respectable man. On the death OF his
mother the prisoners aunt Mrs. Margaret Has
brouck, who lives IN East Sixteenth street, took
charge Of him. but In consequence of his repeated
truancy she had him sent to the Juvenile Asylum for
two years. On obtaining his discharge he went 10
Newburg. Mr.. Israel Jones, the superintendent Of
the Refuge, states that young Dunn Is
CONFIRMED LIAR
and one Of the worst boys ne ever had In charge
The facts OF the murder are simply these:-At half
past SIX O'Clock, on Sunday evening" Mr. Calvert
was locking the doors In the third nall OF the second
DIVISION. Dunn's door was the last but one upon
the tier and as the deceased was putting his key into
the lock the prisoner sprang out With shoe knife
IN his hand and commenced a furious attack upon
him. The overseer mad no means or defending him.
sell except by endeavortng to kick of his assaant
but the youthful assassin followed up his attack
soon lay welterlng IN gore upon the ground. Cal.
vert sustained several cuts, but the fatal de-
lvered BY the prisoner struck the unfortunate
man IN the right leg, Just above the knee joint,
sEvERING THE FEMoRAL ARTERY.
James Brennan, No. III, 544, a monitor who was on
the opposite side OF the tier, ran to Caverts aid,
succeeded In disarming Dunn and gave the alarm.
When some OF the officers Of the institution arrived
upon the scene OF the conflict Calvert had tainted
diately taken to his room, where his wounds were
dressed by Drs Colby and IL. Pierce. NOtwith-
standing every effort OF the two medical gentlemen,
however, Calvert expired shortly after ten O'Clock
The same night.
The prisoner does not seem particularly affected
that places MIN at once in the shadow o. the gal.
lows. He Is not very bad looking boy, IS we'll
Ss a Sas has
he owns to the fact or his having shot his
uncle when only ten years OF age. The weapon with
which the ghastly deed was consummated Is well
similar to that with which "Jack'' Reynolds slew
Townsend, and for which he paid penalty upon the
weeks ago from boy named DObDins, since which
time he has Kept II carefully concealed. The only
the deceased had, during the past week. reported
him for some violation OF the rules OF the institu-
ton, and that he was marked for It, The Coroner
remains OF the murdered man to-day. Mean while
Dunn occupies cell IN the TOmbs.