National Republican., 1876-10-25
THE PRIzE-RINa MURDER.
A Gloomy Look, for the Professors Of the
"Maulv Artn

manly ART"
A correspondent of the New York Herald,
writing from Salem, N. j., October %, says:
The trials of James Weeden, Sam Collyer,
Fiddler Neary, Richard Goodwin, alias Spring
| Dick, and Johnny Clark. all Jointly indicted
| for murder in having caused the death of
young Walker, the prize-fghter, last August,
in the ring, eight miles distant from here, at q
place called Pennsville, will commence to NOR
| rev mon ing, providing the defense is ready,
as the prosecuting counsel, Alfred Hope, in
formed me just now that he, representing the
State Of New jersey, is ready. The trial will
take place In the courthouse, In Market
street, which is next door to the county Jail,
in which the prize-fghters are confined.
Probably no prize-fghters were ever placed
in as serious a predicament in the United
States as these five men are in at present, but
they do not realize the fact, as they are in
good spirits and eat their three meals every
day. All the five men will have to suffer the
same penalty If convicted, and as the indict-
ment is for murder there Is very little chance
for fun in the matter. The trial will take
place in the Court of Oyer and Terminer of
Salem county, before Judge Alfred Reed, as
sisted by Judges Maskell, Ware and William
Summell.
.r. STATUTORY PENALTIES.
If found guilty of murder in the second de-
gre the penalty under New Jersey statutes is
twenty. one years.
Spectators attending the fight woull be
guilty of manslaughter under the same law.
The sheriff regrets that he did not have the
opportunity Of arresting the press reporters
who attended the fight, they also, by the
statute, being guilty Of manslaughter.
No one but the counsel and relatives are
permitted to see the prisoners, and two very
showily- dressed young women, who called to
see Collyer, under pretenee OF being relatives,
did not obtain admission to the jail.
WITNESSES UNWILLING TO APPEAR.
The result of the trial is looked for with
considerable interest, as it will settle forever
the status of prize fighters in the State of New
Jersey. A number OF witnesses could be pro-
cured for the defense, and 1t is said that their
testimony would materially aid it; but any
that were present at the fight on appearing in
this town would be arrested by the sheriff i'm
mediately, and for this reason Arthur Cham
bers and Tom Reilly, of Philadelphia, have
refused to come as witnesses, thus leaving the
defer Sc in a bad position, as it is hinted that
they could testify that Walker died of expo
sure after the night had occurred, were all
witnesses granted immunity from prosecution
by the State.
Salem is town of 5000 inhabitants, and
goes Democratic yearly, while the county of
Salem is Republican. Four OF the twelve
jurymen are residents of the town, the remain
ing eight are from different parts of Salem
county. The trial will be largely attended,
and is causing good deal of excitement. l
have not been permitted to see the prisoners,
as the regulations are very strict.
THE TRIAL POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT wEDNEs-
DAY.
SALEM, N. j., Oct. 24.-The trial of the
Penhsville prize fighters, which was set down
for to-day, has been postponed until Wednes-
day next