The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-25
HUNTER TELLS Ills STORY.
ARMS TRONG'S dLLEGED MURDERER
IEsTIETING FOR HIMSELF.



arong'- Iifc-Depytnu that lie Hired nm
Assn-,in aud that hc Tore Open the Vie
TINS wounds-Under Cross ~ n animation.
CAMDEN, June 2i.--At the trial of Hunter
to-day for the murder Of Armstrong. the pris-
oncr went upon the witness stand and testified
In his own trbehnlf His evidence was given in
about four hours. aud then tho Prosecutor bo-
gan a cross.cxamination. which was not more
than half finished before the Court adjourned
for the day
Hunter did not seem at all nervous as he
walked into the court room. although his coun-
sci had reminded him that there was no moro
irving place than the witness stand Tor an ac-
cuscd man. He mad changed his clothing. and
appeared in n sleek black broadcloth coat. light
trousers and white vest He was newly
shaven. aud n barber had evidently made the
most OF his scanty hair. His attitude WAS rev.
erental as he kissed the Bible He held 1t in
both hands. bending his head low over 1t. and
as the crisr pronounced tho hst words OF the
oath he stopped. in II iowly manner. and pressed
his lips 70 the book. Then he turned with a
very solemn face and walked to tho witness
chair.
Ex-Secreiary Robcson had In his hands some
huge folios. the leaves o.. which he slowly turn
cd over as Hunter braced himself in his chair
The eN- Secretary looked worn and weary this
y.
the prisoner the first question. The immense
throng in the court room were so quiet that the
low tone in which Judge woodhul spoke to
tne Prosecutorsabout some trivial matter could
Be heard all over the room.
Prosecutor jenkins. with a bunch OF legal
documents In his hands. sat within reaching
distance OF Hunter. MIR. jenkins was grim.
only once smiling at some locose remark made
to him in n whisper by eN-Secretary Robeson.
You are the accused in this case. Mr.. Hun
terY" asked ex Secretary Robeson. at length. in
The same tone that he would have asked him
what his business was
IL nrh sir" replied Hunter. clearing his
hroat and then rubbing his hand over the bald
spoi on his head Hunters voice is high keyed
inl faint. and his enunciaton is very indistinct.
He went on to say that he wis "a years OF age.
had always lived in Philadelphia. was a manu-
'acturer Of boilers and ranges. and the patentee
,i valuable range boiler.
Did you know J. NJ Armstrong? asked ex-
Secretary Robeson after tho preliminares were
ended and carelessly taking off his glasses and
rubbing them.
Yes. sir; have known him about thirteen
years was his silent partner for four years.
The partnership ending June l. 1871" Hunter
Etroked his beard he said this. and then
tapped on the railing OF the witness stand
How much money did you put into the busi
ness ?" inquired the counsel rs he put his glasses
back.
Five thousand dollars. sir. mortgaged one
ofmy houses TO do it,"
How many notes did Armstrong give you 2"
Hunter paused and then put his hand to his
brehead as II his memory failed him. At length
be said. Eight In all. believe ! may be wrong
General. as my memory since have been over
here has been greatly shattered"
Then ex-Secretary Robeson asked him to ex-
plain about the insurance policies on Arm
Hrongs life.
Hunter hardly allowed the counsel to finish
lhe question. He soid in low voice. but very
rapidly: "One morning l had an interview
with Armstrong in his Office. and | said to him.
Mr. Armstrong. now that yoa are indebted to
me in n considerable amount. 1t is no more
than fair that you should get your life insured
Tor my benefit. as l have no security He
serced to this very readily. and named $26,00O
rs the amount. for fear. he said, that his other
creditors might come in for some OF 1t. told
him that might not be able to carry so much.
and he replied that. for my kindness to him and
his family. he was not going TO let me be stuck.
So the next day / called at the New York
Mutual. the Manhattan. and the Provident COM
panles. and made arrangements"
Here Hunter paused 10 take breath. We'll"
suggested ex-Secretary Robson at length.
We'll. | then went down to Mr.. Armstrong s
Office. and as he was not in sat down and wrote
him few lines telling him that he might 10 to
the three companies and be examined. told
hi. TO leave Off his truss. for knew he was not
ruptured enough to interfere with his swim
ming or playing hide and whoop."
Did YOU take the policies to Armstrong ?"
On yes. We both examined them together.
Then took them home. and had hardly got
them home before they were, after mo for this
murder. But with an air OF resignation and
awlv" Of rs hand toward Prosecutor jenkins
don't blame them
Hunter then continued that tho last time he
saw Armstrong was on the day OF the murder.
y went out with Armstrong in the morning.
Put he did not, say anything 70 Armstrong
about Davis and made no appointment to go
with Armstrong to Dnvs's house in Camden
mat evening lnstend however. he went after
n1 ans dinner i, t. Mr. Hnfhss's p9ce ohHHhsineILs L
walked out 10 Mr. Epps place OF business IN
Oxford street He wrni 10 'Epp's in response to
hFtier that Eup had sent him IN the morning
ehl shy"d At Epp's about three,quarters OF an
hour, THEN he walked along Oxford street 10
tenth A. pc was crossing Broad street he
tutp'l ana helped a man whose buggy niid
broken down. nnd then chatted with n lady
whom he met. Then he got on the ear and met
conductor Young and reached his home at
What did YOU do tho morning after the as
sh.t p asked X-Secretary RObeson.
was no to Mr. Epp's house Mr.. Arm
srlngs son asked me 10 locate myself on the
h.ght ~ tAg murder SO got Mr.. Epp's state
mchi t,.t was ~ his house. II WAS satsfac-
"gyr9 Mr.. Arm strong's family"
whit .lid Mr. Epp say? p
Nht Mr. Epp said Prosecutor Jenkins obs
lecled 10 ."ng told. II Epp was such good
lFleni of Hunters he would como over TO Cam
e'h aul O. stiiy himself especially as il was to
saVf ,iri'uds lli'. possibly But, If Hunter
ws % hr allowed to say whAt Epp said, then
we 'Fros"'ulor r'mlrkod to the Court that he
t1u,l claim tls right 20 present an affidavit
Mgl Lpp made 10 him. denying that Hunter was
IulS mousse nn nae night that Armstrong was
vuIler"d, When the Prosecutor SAID this ex,
eF" w RobesOn Withdrew the question: and
s'Aei Hunter whether h. saw Armstrong in
we 1lwrn0on Of the day after Armstrong was
M1ck Town iu Camden.
h certainly" replied Hunter in an. almost
'n"vvr} voice. wont up 20 his room.
81 ln didn't DO au3thine to him therc?"
Al, lhdord Hunter replied earnestly " |
AZ tiiaiIi r'nlt for him; got chair and put 1t
.PH YOU put anything on his head?"
~ WnR pat a clean towel on his head. which
'Gr' from tic servant girl"
-? }ou kn0w Thomas Graham"
~ uo' from his youth up my relations with
ttu'uds were always worry pleasant. ] was as
mhoh.I - hear from tho evidence here that he
vnr.a'rl v.I Ia' yea So b!dly, for he had always been II