The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
BARNEY FERRoN's MURDERER.

JOHN n. WRIGHT coNFEssRs hrs CRIME AND
MENT TO HERALD REPORTER.
John II. Wright tho SELF confessed murderer OF
Bernard Fcrron, tho boatman, was taken TO Police
Headquarters, in the Brooklyn MUNICIPAL BUILDING
yesterday forenoon charge OF his captors Captain
Reilly Of tho Eleventh precinct, Detectives
Looncy and Daley. After . brief interview with
Superintendent Campbell the prisoner was
taken 10 tho photographers, where an
excellent picture OF him was obtained for
tho Roeues' Gallery Wright then conveyed In
. carriage tho First District Court corner OF Court
and Butler Streets whore he was followed by crowd
Of curious people, The prisoner was somewhat nor
vous At 1rst, but speedily regaincd his composure
Whom no brought before the bar to pload
made by Captain Edward Roilly upon inforna-
tion and belief" charged John IL Wright
malice aioresnough., murdered Bernard Ferrcn on
March IT, 1878" The prisoner pleaded guilty 10 the
charge saying, Il KILLED him, and am sorry Tor II"
His voluntary examination was then taken, In which
he said that no 10 twenty years OF age was born on
Indian River, Maine, and mad followed tho sca for
livelihood for the past three years. He was thcn
formally committed 10 the Raymond Street Jail Tho
prisoner. who Is blue eyed, fair haired "down East"
lad has a Simple, aawkish air about lin, which for
eign to tho wonted ideal or impression OF tho cold
boodcd murderer. In the jail no was conlnod In cell
No. 9. with two Other prisoners
A HORRIBLE CONFESSION
The prisoner, IN tho course OF an interview with
reporter yesterday gave the details OF tho story con-
ncclcd with tho murder, which substantially rc
Ixtod IN thc HERALD Of yesterday. He said that on
March ~ Ernest Talbot and no were board tho
schooner Mary b. Harris In tho Eric Basin; that
carly the forenoon Talbot, tho mate, ie the
sci TO TO New York 10 purchase provisions leaving
him (Wrght) In charge lie took two or three drinks
OF tho gin which was kept IN the mates room and
was engaged III cleaning lamps m tho pantry when
Ferron camo on board, and approaching him sad,
"Hclo, how are you todayY" They had drink OF KIN
together after which Fcrrou won't the cabin, where
he took seat Ferron then wanted "a buy
coifco which no saw IN bag but Wright would
soil Some words passed. and tho deceased, ac-
cording to tho prisoners statement hit NJ the latter
but ala not strike Wright said, 81 tnon had
wrestlo with him. aud on breaking ioosc struck him
and knocked HIM down; no jumped into the mates
room and made another blow Tor me. but knocked
him and he fell against the stove. He began TO
cry out and jumped GU him and Jammcd IN his
! hoad with my ncavy boots could hear MS skull
crash, and us no ceased 10 shout thought Ind
finished niin. When l saw what had done l
rby scared, and went ON the quarter deck and looked
around. II was then my intention 10 go ashore aud
tell what had Iaken place. butt went back and
my mind. found hc was dead
1ho prisoner stated That no then Allied tho canvas
bag with ron, astsncd the body with rope TO IT, and
dropped u overheard. lilo said hs did not place any
rope the mouth OF the deceased could tell
how the gag there. DO orc throwing tho body
took Ferron's boat ashore, and returned 10 tho
schooner IN tho yawi which fabbott hal taken WIN
him the morning. lie never brcnthsd word Of tho
killing TO Tabbott when the latter returned 10 the
Sol. ana the mate did not suspect anything. Wright
said Ia conclusion:-"i worried over tho killing Nh 4
frequently thought nbout telling H. Ium very sorry
Tor wuat have donc but when nrst struck tho old
man was afraid he might kali mo-"
rabbot, the mate, VINO arrived nj Philadelphia yes.
terday the Mary Is. Harris. TO which vessel no has
been all along attached IN no way connected with
on TO Brooklyn aod give such evidence as may be In
his power TO furnish In tho case.