The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-20

H!.ss,oss. on or about me eth Of November, ls7s
natlocs vas then saken to jail 70 await
sOa,s: q the ne BIC nenardson a' la%ily we're
buried in the Potter's Field on December 49, The
discovery OF who the murdered FAMILY were the
MAKER on receipt Of Geographic inquiry from ms
MURDER. answered as foows VS.. = '''' '''l' = '
Nan who :. murs.rsa !. d Roll, No., Pee: Y ls7s
q %s ON the
"a or ~ q November and was going to Texas with
time ~ ' ' "' NAM 4L iSsSt CIR ohRh us iaS'
on the person Of Matlocx, when searched after
his arrest, the following was found, together Win
silver watch and a half dollar
Received Of Gray as5ssh T. %"
sheriff oliver received the following on Deem
Der 20:-
To sHERIrr Little Rock
wlI star, tomorrow Hold property an fshsrd
Mr.. Byles, the lather OF Laura Ann Richardson,
the murdered wife. and two brothers Of the mur-
dered man came 70 Little Rock soon after the
finding OF the bodies. The bodies were exhnmeh
and recognized by all as the son.in-law daughter
wagon, dog and effects were also ldentlfed.
THE TRIAL.
The trial OF Matlock Tor the murder OF tho
Richardson family was set down for March :, 1874,
in the Criminal Court OF this county. Judge Red
mond presiding. Attorney General ionley and
Quoted the prosecution Tor the State. Colonel
Barnes and Mr.. Cherry defended Matlock. Tho
lury were all WillLe ana eACepIlOudly lntcllgcnLs
There had been three indictments iound by tho
Grand Jury. The prosecuting attorney nolle pressed
the hrst indictment by leave OF the Court as the
name mentioned was John Madison Richardson,
instead OF James Madison Richardson. lie was
then arraigned upon the indictment Tor the MUIR
der oil the two-year old cnild Laura Ellen Ilchard-
son. The evidence was substantially the same as
that given before the Cor0ner's jury. The ldentn-
cation of the album, the clothing OF the ather
Mr.. Byles and the Richardson brother was very
aflecting the witnesses, attorneys and spectators
graph OF the child IN the album was identified as
being that OF the murdered Laura Ellen. The
also identified, the defence finding it m
possible to shake the testimony by cross
lied to having accompanied the murdered
family several miles on their way. During the
trial it came out that Matlock wore when arrested
blu oyercoat belonging to his victim, and
stained with his blood me couuse Tor Tie
defence objected to questioning wltncss as 10
whether '.the yellow dog' recognized III any way
Mr.. Byles. The bill OF sale was the subject OF =
good deal OF discussion. 1t was proved that tho
at the bottom OF the bill OF sale, with room be-
tween; ''thls' had been written above and the
mark below. The words ''hls marx" had been
document read as II signed by John Helhe son.
Matiock's son, ten years old. was put IN Lhe box
did not understand the nature OF an oath. but he
had sufficiently vivid idea TO suit the lawyers and
tell the truth Ills testimony corrobcratcd that Of
his mother, given before the Coroner's jury lie
stated the following IN ADDITION, however, as 10
what Matlock SAID just after the murder ne
SAID to ma, Ive got the mues;' ma SAID. Did
your father said Yes, I've nit the naIl ON the
head to-day" During the time he vas on the
stand the boy cried silently, but at last broke
down and could go no iurtner. He was taken out
OF court for lew minutes, until composed, ana
then resumed his testimony.
THE DEFENCE
called but three witnesses, who testified merely as
to localities, and rested their without calling
any more this created some surprise. The line
OF argument OF the defence seemed to be TO try
and destroy the testimony OF the prosecution Wit
nesses without producing any OF Their own. On
Monday, March IL, the case was glven ~ tne jury,
who remained out an hour and brOusht IN q YER
dict OF murder IN the first degree. An application
was Immediately made for . new trial ana arrest
Of judgment upon technical points. After due
consideration. however, Ills was refused. During
counsel Tor the defence and the Judge had many
tits Colonel Barn es taking endless "eXcrptlons.h
The attorneys noth sides lost tnelr temper sew.
era times, and the scene was highly Interesting ia
with negroes during the trial, and the general sem
timent among them seemed to be that MatiOcs
was guilty.
MallocK on the conclusion OF the trial was taken
to the Penitentlary and was brought INTO Court .
few days afterwards and sentenced 10 he hanged
on Tuesday, May &c. On May 70, however, he was
respited until to-day. MauOck was line spect
men OF a genuine pure blooded Airican-ond
times turn out TO be exceptionally good men, He
is or medium height, solid head and aquiline nose
large piercing eyes and wears luli beard He
has been very sullen since his sentence, and
attempts to escape, though he to the last moment
protested his innocence. The scaffOld WAS erected
in an open lot near the Penltentarv. Deputy
sheriff Coun IS managed the execution. which took
place at eleven O'Clock precisely. large crowd
was present, the negroes being out en- alasse