The Morning herald., 1878-06-12
THE ARMSTRONG MURDER.

~ Il
THE TRIAL OF BENZ. HUNTER-GRAHAM,
THE AccoMPLIcE, ON THE sTAND-HIs
STORY OF THE CRIME @i got
The Armstrong murder case was on trial
yesterday at Camden, N. j. Thomas Gra-
ham, Hunters accomplice, took the stand
and made his confession of the terrible
murder. Graham said X, "a ..,...--ss, '
live at 1888 South Seventh street, Phila-
delphla; am 70 years; am married and have
one child living; am an iron worker by
trade, and learned the business fifteen years
ago; served my apprenticeship with Benz.
Hunter; was fifteen years and seven
months old when I commenced with him;
Hunter was then o dealer In stoves and
ranges at 53l South Tenth street; stayed
with him about two years after the close of
my apprenticeship, he then selling out !; this
was five or six years ago. .,.,,. ....: b..
While working for Stiles 7 did not see
much Of Hunter l was then boarding with
Mrs. Ulrich On North Seveath street; In the
early part of December last saw Hunter; I
was then working for Stiles; saw him on
Reed street on Sunday don't recollect
the day, only month, had conversion with
him at that time; Hunter then said II
don't want anybody to hear us; he told me
that Armstrong had to be killed he said If
you do 1t will give you $500 and If you
don't do 1t you are no friend of mine. I re-
piled all right. Then he began to tell me
what - scoHndrel he was, and how
much money he owed him and Others, and
said it would be good thing to have him
out of the world; we parted with the In
junction that he e'was to see me; | next saw
him on the Saturday before New Years I
went to his house; John McKenna, boy en-
ployed there, WAS present; he gave me .
draft OF the situation OF the house on Vine
street, Camden; Hunter then treated me to
drinks Z -r
The next time saw him 1t WAS at MH
CURES tavern on ,Sixth street; he then
pulled out hammer and gave 1t to me
saying, "Ohl came near forgetting this:N
he'sAld he wanted me to Kill Armstrong
with the hammer; 1t was done up In paper;
ne afterwards gave me postal card ad-
dressed to Davis, and said, "This thing has
got to De done tonight" put the card to
letter-box on the corner OF Thirteenth and
Arch Streets.
he Then told me to meet him that night
at six O'Clock and he would 20 over to
Camden with me; l got the hammer and
put IT 10 nay pants pocket and walked slowly
10 Eighth and SAMSON street; I saw Hunter
at the N. W. cor; he had his hat jerked
over his eyes End handkerchief around his
neck; ne told me to 60 down to Seventh
street; se'feral young men came down from
Arsms' '>cong's place; one Of them stood and.
TAXED with Armstrong; Hunter came up
toIS Armstrong away; they went down
,, SAMSON street on their way to the ferry;
| followed after them; they paid their fare
and got on the boat; I did the same thing;
after leaving the ferry on the Camden side
Armstrong and Hunter went up Vine ST..
above Fifth and I followed behind them !;
Hunter went up the alley aud when he
came down heard him say "yes"
then went; drew the hammer to hit
Armstrong; l struck him in the face saw
ght IN the cellar of q house right by me:
Hunter cried ''Hit him bit him !" My
heart failed me, and, throwing the instrU-
| ment away, ran and got down In cellar,
and after remaining there few minutes
made my way TO the beat Hunter came out
| OF the alley and said ''yes that was the
sig.al r me to strike Armstrong" I
found H1ater Standing on the boat by the
cabin. LII first words were, We'll, | finished
him" When we reached the city I asked
him for some money; he gave me quarter,
sensation]; be said, eve had better part
here" and went and got drink and
afterwards went down town to Robnson's
hotel; ] then went home, saw Hunter next
day; he told me to meet him at Broad and
Girard avenue at half-past O'Clock. l met
him there. ..... ......