The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-21
Arrest and Confession of the Muir
derer's Accomplish.
A COLD-BLOODED PLOT.
81 Finished Him. Had 10 Hunt Some
Time for The IIatchet"
BENJAMIN HUNTER IN THE GAGE

Tho mystery surrounding tho terrible murder OF
John n. Armstrong the music publisher. ~ Camden,
n. j., has at last been penetrated. The crime was
planned and executed with GOODNESS and SKILL and the
murderer evidently believed that no had successfully
covered his tracks, linx by link the chain OF ev'
dcnce has boon forged, and the guilty man Is now
so tightly cnyelopcd in the iron coll that there
ia vcry little chance his escape Tho murderer is
believed to % NO other than Benjamin Hunter, the
intimate friend and business partner OF tho dead man.
his coundant and the most trusted OF all his asso-
c,atea Hunter has for some tlmo been under arrest
OF Suspicion, but until O'Clock this morn
ing there legal evidence OF his
participation in tho assassination. Within the past
twelve hours Hunters accomplish has been dis
covered and arrested and he has made full and COM
p,ete confession. His evidence Is damning and con-
elusive. and conv,cts Hunter OF a coid-blooded
a,rocy Ho FUSED his friends life to be insured for
s26 oOo paid three months premium in advance and
thcn deliberately laid in wait opportunity to
Kin Armstrong Tor the purpose OF getting the insur
lnce money.
cLEw.
Shortly after tho arrest OF Hunter Detective Yodor
had his attention drawn the relations existing, be-
ween Hunter aud Thomas Graham, young man
rho had boon an apprentice Hunters shop and
uierward a journoyman In his employ. This man
was kina OF necr do-wel and addicted 10 drink, and
While naturally not a very bad man Of the
,ort who may be very brutal when on drunken
,pree, He WIS watched. Ills habits Of living ascer.
.ained and bis haunts and companions shadowed. II
was found that whole manner OF life changed when
be accidentally learned that he under police
veiliance. From this limo he no longer irequented
The hau nts where he accustomed TO his time,
aud secluded himself. To the shrewd actec-
tive this proof that Graham dreaded
tho police Officer Yodcr therefore followed him ike
a shndow. Sun no could get no evidence against
him, AMI Saturday last, after consultation with
Prosecutor jenkins. Of Camden ana Sner,
for murder. There absolutely no proof against
him and only the detectives instinct as reason for
detective and Sheriff waited Tor their prisoner.
Graham, who is twenty.nne years OF age, has a
Seventh street. For two nights this house was
watched unsucccssiuly, but on Tuesday night
tapped him on the shoulder, and told him
looking for him. Graham spoke to him pleasantly,
calling him by name, anu said nc would 20 with
sThen,n said Yoaer, s'pcrbaps you will not object
TO over TO Camden to SEQ The District Attorney
Graham answered that he would 60 anywhere with
him, but that he did not know anything of import
ance about Hunter. He laughed, cha1ed the officers
about tho trouble they had taken for nothing and
treated his arres, AS good joke Graham up 10 this
time did not know that there warrant for his
arrest Tor murder, as IL had not been shown.
On tho way the detective said, 'Graham, we've got
you dead on this thing You helped TO kill Armstrong
You struck tho first blow and Hunter flushed him."
Graham's face did not betray tho slightest emotion,
and the detective began to think no had ovcrshot Inc
mark.
90 arriving in Camden the party wont direct to the
residence OF Mr. Jenkins, Prosecutor OF the Pleas II
atm At bic case and nnconcernod, then formally
oxamtaAd ~ 70 Ms kp0wledee o. tho murder pciofe
inasOn, but denied oil knowledge of tho After
two hours had been spent IN this way Graham sud-
GRAHAMs CONFESSION
"WelL won't stand this thing any longer. I'll
tell you all know. do know all about the murder,
he then proceeded to make the following formal
statement, his words being taken down 10 regular
: lily name is Thomas Graham. am twenty nine
years OF age. live At No 1913 south seventh street,
and have vito and one child. am a range makcr
was Mr.. Hunters apprentice and journeyman Tor
eight yearsr mako this statement without any PROM
iscs threats Of any kind whatever knowing the fear
Sui responsibility OF what am saying. was spoken
20 by Mr.. Hunter 1rst about this matter the early
part OF December. was In Reed street, below Ninth
Asms.ronss', said yes" He said, "Arms,rong
owes me lot OF money and he has got to
bc kilicc.n ! said, "Docs he?n Hunter then said,
II viii give you $500 to do you don't you are
NO friend OF mine" Aitor a few more words agreed
10 do tho murder. Had been drinking. met Hunter
the following week at his place oil business nj Six
teenth and Chcrry. waited for him and got him TO
give me So. went again TO Sixteenth anu Cherry
two or three tmos during tho month. don't remem.
Der the dates. l wanted. to get moro money, but
sdidnt Hunter. did not intend to DO tho murder
lot s him think * would d.' promised him would
follow Armstrong and watch my chance TO kill
HIM ! next met Hunter alterward on New
me. he said, ''rake this hammer This Is what II
has got to be done with. IL has got mans name
on, J. W. u. (meaning this man Davsl XIII Arm
Otrong With Ii, lot the hamlno lay aud It will be
blamed on him, al Davis owed Armstrong money"
This hammer was the one found near the body.
Invent to his house on Saturday night before New
Years and got IS. One Of Hunters twnstet me in
the place where was wC-ging, corner OF Second and
Quarry streets. Ho gave me u plan or drawing OF tho
,stuaiion OF the house whcro DAVIS lived in Camden,
show cd me the whole location, and said could kill
Armstrong when no went TO Camden and
could put his BODY into one of the cellars in
aho neianborhood. lie told he was going
10 Virginia, ana he would send me some
money, but he dd not. He told me TO do tho murder
Mble no was in Virginia did not MIN again
until Tuesday, the day before the murder. The day
before no was a. my house 10 sec me, Jour or i've
limos, but did not see him. He was also at my
Mothers ana sisters. This Tuesday, when saw
-Sm, Mr.. Hunter said, you've had rough ltime
DO account ofArms,rong's working late every night"
gesting chance to Kill him; but had not watched
Armstrong, and added ''Ips got to be done tonight
He gave postal card directed to DAVIS IN Camden,
Saiiug that Armstrong would be 10 Camden lnat
night Tho postal said:--
viii 30 u seven p. NJ. J. MA
put II in tho mail box Thirteenth and Arch
streets. he charged me to be sure be over |
baad can right" but did not 10. went up TO six.
Isenth and Arch next morning. Told Hunter that
queer" He said he would 80 to Armstrong; elce
aud see, ami ! should meet him at Eighth
xs,,od I bali an hour, %aen Hunter A' ca M.
He said Armstrong had boon ovcr to Camden.
said If did lot soc him." Hunter said, "welI IT'S
Ali right; / have made arrangements to go over to-
hight with him myself" Then We went down Pass
1unk avenue to spsliskeys nat store, and Hunter
sought soft hat for ST. left him after srrangin g
70 meet him that evening at six T. M at Eighth aud
SAMSON streets 10 80 over to Camden and
went around drinking. went home, got
The BANNER and put in my pantaloons
Auckst. Let the handle come under my vest. ] had
bne Ratchet too. Huntcr gavc II to Inc. then went
~ moot Hunter at Eighth and SAMSON. Hunter was
there ie had on icIt hat and handkerchief
tor then said to me, "waik down TO seventh street
and watch" He bnd previously told me TO follow him
Camden and TO strike Armstrong when he gave the
signal Hunter came down opposite Armstrong;
cfncc Armstrong came down stairs 10 the pavement
md stopped and talked few minutes with his journey
man. The journeym man went away and Hunter walked
across, took Armstrong by the arm. They walked
down SAMSON street. | followed them. They went
through independence square and tho Post Olco.
Armxrong dropped package of letters and papers