The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-11
THE BOSTON BELFRY MURDERER.

HIS CONFESSION OF MURDERS AND MURDERoUs
ASSAULTS CONFERENCE.-The CAREER AS AN
INcESpIARy.
| BosroS, May 10. 1874
Recent investigations have len no room for doubt out
what the confessions OF Thomas W. Piper, who BIO
hanged on the 26h we're essentially true In every par
ticular It has also ranspired that he has been guilty
OF other crimes than the murder OF Mabel Young
Bridget Laniergan and the attempted murder OF Mary
Tyner Tho account Of his offences was so thorough
in ITSELF and the detail corrcsponded so perfectly with
what was before known the circumstances OF
the Mabel Young and Landergan murders there
was not room for hcsitancy In giving IT credcuce
the murderous assault the Tyner girl also IN
cluded. II is hardly worth tho space to argue the
truihfulness OF what has bcen said, or 10 attempt
either to give detailed statements OF murderous
acts, which would be loatnsome as the nlth OF a
pest house, which statements reported on sale
yesterday even at as high price $4OO and guar
antced to DO blood curdlng the most thrilling
chapters OF "Cord and Creesc," the dongs OF the
thugs OF India, with which on the fatal Sunday the
murderer begued his time. However high the ngurea
placed these statements tho stories were mainly
romantic rehash OF what had already boon given.
No written statement has Piper made, and no
hnf taken asbt Of memoranda from tho Jail. But tho
prisoner himself could not present record OF tho
bery murder which for accuracy could be laid beside
tho theory which the Attorney General clearly and
forcbly argued at tho last trial. And 1t is singular
thing the government was ablo SO perfectly to get az
Mr.. Brown Pper's counsel has dictated full state.
ment OF his interview with Piper when the confession
was made II Is only an elaboration OF what has
already been published
HIS cARKER AS AN IScRxDIARY
As II to make his conduct still monstrous he
conesses to mania for setting fires and has described
the same in recent interview with person who
visited him at the jail He says:-0n the night OF De-
ccmbcr IL, 1873 roaming about the South End
when became possessed of desire to do something
evil On looking about thought how 1t would seem TO
have fire. and tho thought became DESIRE Then
determined that would burn, IL possible, Concord
Hail. situated on Concord street. between Washington
street and shawmut obtaining access TO closet
in the stairway leading over the stores got
rial together and set the ire Waiting see how il would
turn out hung around the building, and before
knew IL, became the object of suspicion. Presently
an an. olicer, William Murphy Of tho Filth police
go with him. and was taken to the station house No
one had seen me enter or leave the building
and felt that should work OF that all right
had out OF other serious scrapcs had been en-
gagged in My manner was 80 cool and my appearance
and discharged. learned that while some
believed ono olse could have accomplished the
That was when my acquaintance with the officers
which spoke Of in my trial really begun, and counted
Mabel Young Without interruption Piper continucd-
There was one other hre want TO speak Of have
referred 70 in tho testimony taken by Coroner vose NJ
tho inquest the death Of Bridget Landergan. Twas
a L
strongly suspected OF that murder but the IRE was
lost sight OF in the excitement and under
| serious charge. have said In my confession that
l cut the club from the shaft OF the wagon IN my
fathers cellar, aud that atterward there Mas an
alarm Of fro and threw the club under
fence and went TO see the lire That was the night
told my brothers would not 20 to church with them
after got started for It. did not feel WELL n
aitor left them that carried out plan to burn
n building, and Briggs store selected. Well in
stead OF going to church wandered Briggs on
Stoughton street, and set IRE Then went and
got my club. The fire brought a good many people
and some women. After that went In pursuit OF
and You know howl killed her That was because the
devil in and wanted what knew not Ny
discovery in tho act which mentioned in the COMES.
son and which told by of tho witnesses tho
inquest, is also confessed. IL was tho desire
crafty that caused me 70 commit that murder that i'm;
Young was not tho girl had made up my mind 70
possess.
This reminds me OF something moro about assault
ing women You remember the assault on young
pcncd sometime In December, five years ago, II I
remember Alright Wen, did not outrage her; I
concealed under a cloak / had on the nrst
blow the head staggered her, but she
was able 10 scream nn Tho street street wa; other.
cry struck her again and run away In this never
have been suspected, but II Is true did IT, As had
cape cloak, some said tho they saw
running looked like n police officer who was that
beat and the suspicion made some trouble for him
then and aiterward What have now said frees my
mind OF three matters which times have led me 10
dependency, but felt like making an avowai
till now.
THE THREE CRIMES CONFIRMED
Upon investigating these statements they are fully
substan,ated. Piper arrested by Officer Murphy,
OF the Filth police district for setting re to Concord
Hall and discharged for want OF proof An cxamina-
on Of me me ;wr,c, oi the Ninth police station
on Dennis street furnishes the following substantial.
ton On the goth OF December 1871, girl oy the
name OF Minnie Sullivan whlo passing through
Dennis street about eleven O'Clock at night she
knocked down by some unknown person and seriously
injured She escaped from her assalIant after being
struck three and took refuge in tho house
Of Mr.. John G. Bennett. No - Dennis street
rfrxR's CONDITION YESTERDAY
was great Improvement what It has been. In
fact he had not appeared we'll from the hour OF his
conviction, and no seemed like one who had boen re-
lieved OF an immense mental burden He spoke Of
his confession and did not desire 10 change anything
say nothing. except The devil was in Inc and made
me do IT, Tho whisksy and audanum he distinctly
sad DID not ncie hun 70 40 me DEEDS u = reported
looking afier but II was another child whom he did
not meet. Concerning the murder OF Kate Lcehan, he
positively states that he did not kill her, and knew
only OF the by what he read, and hc declares
that he has told OF all his most important crmcs.
MOTHER BROTHERS VISIT
II tho OF tho day he talked freely with bic
spiritual adviser and also received his mother and
one OF his brothers. This was their first visit since
Sunday They wanted 10 60 10 him Monday, but
u was not deemed proper they should. and even ycs
terday tho meeting was terribly painful The con.
nrnaiion Of his revelation was all they could
bear up under Hts counsel not present havd
not had an Interview with him since he told Mr.
Brown that the charge against him was true. ana thai
he did kill Bridget Iandergan and thought he had the
riPER's pKrRAvrrY
should have 80 long been covered up Is der ros
come time no accustomed TO frequent certain "a
loon on Washington street and engage In the lowest
pracces tho details OF which 100 shocking pub.
lcaton He gambIed there with dice, Il Is SAID, and
time lost his watch.
lie contracted debts for liquor and ravc the bartender
much trouble by dfsputing his when scttle-
mcnts called for And besides nll this his nlrhy
habits OF nights, IN the church Of which no sexton
were known 10 the police