The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-27
M u r D E R E r S
The Murder of James Graham at
Little Neck, L. l.
COnvicts in the Massachusetts State Prison
Confess to the Deed.
How the Robbery and Butchery
We're Accomplished.

We're Accomplished.
BOSTON, Sept 20, 1873.
Another mysterious murder has been cleared up
by the confession Of the murderer himself The
murder was committed In Little Neck, Long Island,
N Y, and the murderer is an inmate Of the Massa-
chusetts State Prison, having been confined there
on q conviction for burglary. His name is John
Green, alias John Mcdonald, and he was sentenced
on the I'd OF June last, for highway robbery at
Springfield. few days ago he called Waroen
Chamberlain his cell, and informed him that there
was heavy burden on his mind which must be
relieved. He then stated that he and Michael
Lynch, who Is also confined in the prison,
and another man entered the store OF James
Graham at Little Neck, L. l., February T. 1873.
While there, in order to escape detection, they
mnrdered him.
THE VICTIM.
James Graham. the victim OF the tragedy was .
bOOtmaker, and kept a shop at Little Neck, Long
Island N. Y. He was person OF retired and lonely
habits unmarried, and lived entirely alone. He
was also an eccentric individual, for he
would sometimes work in one room OF his
house and at other times in another. He
was also somewhat OF mser. He sell
dom-if ever-banked any OF his money,
but would conceal it, In various small
either In cigar boxes jars and even between the
plastering Of the walls. The murder was planned
In the house of Michael Lynch, who then lived in
Roosevelt street, New York city, by Lynch,
Green and q third party. Michael Lynch, whom
Green states did the deed is about forty years OF
OF age, and has face which at once stamps him az
q villain Of the darkest hue. Green has a more
pleasant countenance, and previous TO the mur-
der he was farm laborer, being employed
by Mr.. Cary, at Little Neck. within
q quarter OF mile OF Mr.. Grahams
shop. The third confederate. whose name
is now withheld, was . tramp, who went
about ostensiby to peddle pictures, but really to
spot places which he and his chums could plumber.
The murder was committed Green thinks on the
evening OF February Z, 1873, and at six O'Clock In
THE START FOR LITTLE NECK.
The three left New York city by way Of Hunters
Point and at the latter place took the cars Tor
Little Neck, where they arrived about seven O'Clock.
They then had about two and . half miles to walk,
and they finally reached Little Neck between eight
and nine O'Clock The night was stormy, which
Wen suited the murderers. As they neared Ora
hams shop, Green states that he objected to &C.
companylng his companions until they went
s be y Of ne ne
tramp" went TO the store, where he found Mr..
Graham counting some money which he Placed in
cigar box and had 1t under q staircase. As
the 'tramp" entered the latter stated that he had
some friends who were coming to the store to pur-
federates and all three returned 10 Graham's store
The proprietor stood IN the doorway awaiting their
arrival
LYNCH MURDERS THE SHOEMAKER
On entering some one OF the party called for a
pair OF boots and after he had put them on Graham
VncS drew SeaVv har Of IRON Which Se had Son.
cealed about him and dealt Graham murderous
blow on the back Of the head. The tramp" then
The blow did not kill Its victim outright for he
attempted to rise; but Lynch caught him by the
throat and struck him several blows across the
head and temple, remarking the tramp" that he
was the hardest cuss he had ever killed. Green
and the tramp were both witnesses to the most
horrible cold blooded murder. The tramp" after
the deed was committed, stepped over the body
and went into back room and found the cigar
1ederates A thorough search Of the premises was
then made, which resulted in the
DISCOVERY OF CONSIDERABLE SUN OF MONEY.
towards Flushing, Lynch carrying ali the while the
iron bar with which he committed the terrible
pseions he threw it over into ed near the se
OF the road. The three separated soon after this
and took various roads after agreeing upon Lynch's
house IN New York as q rendezvous. Here they
all arrived by daybreak the morning alter the muir
deA and began counting over the blood money.
the plumber could not be ascertained. After this
Lynch and Green started upon q tramp in
New York State towards Massachusetts. they
New York city, alter shooting him in the
neck and hand. Finally Lynch promised TO go to
SpTlnHUeiu anu TOD u udu utulcu lcTcuCo " Dou
nell a wealthy farmer. but OH arriving there they
found that he had sold out ana gone away. One
night they stopped man riding along the high
way and, by presenting revolver to bis head
forced him to pass over what money he had. 1t
was for this they were apprehended, tried and
sentenced to the state Prison for twenty years
While in jail Lynch made partial disclosure TO
the Sherin. but did not proceed far enough to let
the authorities into his terrible secret. But this
has caused Green to make clean breast OF IL since
his arrival at the state Prison.
The murder until the present time has been amys
terry, and number OF persons, including two rela-
tves of the deceased, have been arrested for COM
uniting the deed, but for want OF evidence were
discharged from custody.
Yesterday morning Warden Chamberlain tee.
graphed TO the authorities OF Little Neck, and tubs
morning two officers OF that place visited the
prison and conversed with Green, who made an AMI
uavlt TO the facts stated by him to warden Cham
berlain. He also mInutely described the store the
way In which the body Of Mr. Graham was left and
made such other statements that the Little Neck
omcers became satisfied that the murder was COM
United by Green and his two companions. The
Omcers left Tor New York this afternoon. They
VIII PROBABLY return In a few days and remove
Green ana Lynch They stand u lair chance L. SUI
Ierlng the extreme penalty OF the law.