The New York herald., 1876-10-09
4 MURDERER CUTS HIS THROAT
IN JAIL

From the San Francisco Examiner, September so
The last chapter in the Bttenbender tragedy occurred
at n few to eleven O'Clock this morning the
County JAIL when Edward q. Bttcnbendcr, the mur-
dercr of his brother foed the ends of justice by
ting his throat from TO ear, from which he bcd to
death in less Than minute.
of the fratrcide and suicide stl fresh in the minds
oil our reaoers trial the formor only being
pleted Friday afternoon last The story briefly
foiows:on september IL OF last year Edward G. and
his brot her. George W. Blttenbcndcr, had a quarrel
Edward Ranking under The ndlgnity, he nursed his
wrath until the evening" when he met George on
Washington street in company with some friends He
approached him. and pulling revolver from his
pocket fired at his brother hitting him in the head.
George died in short time and Edward was arrested
tor murder.
OF the accused was commenced Wednesday last and
he Was dele nded by The best counsel IN ths CIV The
prosecutor made a clear OF murder, and tho
defence set up the plea OF INSANITY which they pre-
scented 10 the jury on Friday evening After nearly two
days argument and lengthy charge by Judge Morr
son the case given to the jury. Tho latter
only out dcbcrating for . short time and returned
with verdict OF murder IN the rst degree, fixing the
penalty at Imprisonment in the State Prson for the
term OF natural LIE. Monday al ten O'Clock
the time set ior passing sentence when Judge Qunt
OF his counsel gave notice that ne would move or
new trai the During the entirc trial Bitten
bender msna aincd stod indifference TO everything,
and did not speak single word to any one Even
when the verdict was announced he did not change
color, did muscle move which was perceptioie.
JAIL.
Bittenbcnder taken back to the County Jail and
incarccracd in cell No. 26 the west side OF tho
lower corridor, fronting the jail yard. II Is about
ten feet deep and i've wide At tho back OF the room
IL small shelf used holding small articles In tho
cell with Bit,enbendcr Robert Cass, young man
charged with perjury, aud H. W. Hawvor, who was az
rested on charge OF attempting TO leave the state with
the intention OF dcirauding bis creditors The keep
who, oy the way arc apparently guilty OF gross
careIessncss, permitted Howvor to take with him into
the coll his vase, which, among other things, con-
tanned razor Howvor, who 10 attend court this
morning. shaved himself early, and alter completing
ablutons laid the the shelf at tho OF
the cell He was then taken TO the City Hall, leaving
Cass aud Bittenbender alsnc In the cell.
THK DEED ACCOMPLISHED
Cass states that few minutes before eleven he was
standing the small hole In the door Of the cell smok
ing pipe and looking out into the corridor, when he
heard shssng sound as f air was escaping, and look
ing around Bittcnbcnder on his hands and knees
on the door, directly behind him. He picked him up,
and he did so the fell from his right hand TO
tue loor. He jumped 10 the door and hammered
tac as TO give the alarm The keepers rushed
to the cell and found Cass holding Bttcnbendcr around
the waist They turned the suicide over on his back
aud
BLOOD sPrHrED or TO THE cHfLrSG
and be spattercd the walls with the fluid Tho floor
fairly covered with pool OF blood and he was still
bleeding He was taken into the corridor and lard on q
Mattress but life had aed before be was moved the last
time