The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-02
the MURDERED PRIZE FIGHTER.
The Trial of Five Pugiiists for the Killing Of
Philip IA osteI.

SALEM, n. j., Nov. 1.-The excitement
here to-day is intense over the trial Of weeden.
sam Collyer. Fiddler Neary, Goodwin, and
Clark for the murder OF Philip Roster in the
prize ring. The court room was densely
ianmed, and the prisoners showed all the
careless coolness they did on nrst being
arraigned, evidently not at all appreciating Z
the position they occupy under the New Jer-
sey law. Philip Roster. alias Walker, tho muir.
dered man. was the principal in the so-called
walker weeden prize nght that was contested
at PennsgrOve, a Methodist camp meeting
ground, eight miles from this city. His father
was the nrst witness He testified that he had
ence with bis son and friends to prevent IL. He
had also made the spiked shoes which his son
wn.a wore ON the me gay ne was pounded to death 6y
Ia The prize light, or contemplating any such use
Ellsworth Ireland. n boy. testified to seeing
the defendants near the ring during the fight,
save Clark.
Edward Buzby swore that the eyes OF Roster
were closed during tho last two rounds. and
that he al to be led no to the scratch. and I'll at
the last blow he received from Weeden knocked
him nfteen inches Into the air and backward a
Sherin Hines isstined to the murderous ten
dencies OF the crowd that witnessed the
neht; and to how he fred bullets into them in
return for missiles which they threw at him.
Charles Roster, a brother OF deceased tighter.
swore that he saw the night from beginning TO
end, and that he did not think his brother was
dead when they tOlu MN he was
J. Harrington, who saw the nght. testified
that Roster vas the stronger man OF I he two, and
was generally SO regarded. Up to the seventy
NTH round he had undoubtedly tho best Of the
light, but In that round he seemed suddenly
TO give out AT the end of that round he raised
his hands feeby and SCENE exhausted. When
Roster was finally removed and placed in the
boat, he WAS carelossly handled, and his head
was allowed to strike the centre board. causing
at least a severe bruise. No sufficient care what
ever was taken Of him.
Frank Day and John Weoden, a brother OF the
principal, who 10 most directly responsible for
the murder, testified that on the seventy -Gfth h
round. on which Roster first showed symptoms
OF falling. Woedeu's friends had put poison on
his hRnd4.
with this testimony the State rested, the two
Important points If the days testimony being
that Roster was neglected ana injured when
placed IN the boat aud that Weedsn's hands
were poisoned.
James NJ. scovell. ex President OF the Senate.
and counsel for Weeden. opened for the
defence 10y alleging that they should
prove that Roster did not die OF
wounds, but OF exposure, and that Weeden
did not 60 willingly into the fight but was driven
into 1t. Dr. Bloomer Of PHI deiphla testified
that after the long exposure and treatment to
which Weeden had been subjected on the boat
and otherwise after the fight IL would be I'M
possible to determine with any degree of ac-
curacy the cause OF death.
The principal, Weeden, then testified In the
most positive manner that nothing whatever
also corroborated the tesumOney OF other wit
nesses in several respects. A number OF wit
! nesses were called 10 prove weedens good
reputation.