Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-11


stopped work for tn, present week.
The Camden n. j Tragedy.
The trial of Bonj Hunter for the murder Of
John NJ. Armstrong, on the 2'd OF last January
was commenced at Camden yesterday. Counsel
for tho defense desired 10 withdraw tho plos of
not guilty, and moved to qussh tho Indictment
on tho ground that, although the fatal blow WAS
struck in New Jersey, the victim died in Penn
sylvania, so that toe accused could only DO tried
in New Jersey for assault and battery with in.
tent to kill After speeches on both sides 70.
garding this point the court overruled tho mo-
ton to quash and the jury was selected. Pro-
secutor Jenkins then delivered the opening ar.
gumcnt after which the court adj ournod until
to day.
The following are tho principal point; in the
case !: On Wednesday evening, January 70, last
Jrc w. Armstrong. music typogrspher. doing
business in PhIsdelphis, went to Camden. i'll
tending to cell on MIR. +. w. Davis and settle q
financial matter in which Davis had made him.
self liable to criminal prosecution. In passing
along Vine street near Fifth, Camden, few
doors from Davis dwelling, Mr.. Armstrong was
beaten about the head go severely that the skull
was fractured and he WAS rendered insensiblo.
Death resulted on tho following Friday, with
out Mr.. Armstrong rogsining CONSCIOUSNESS.
Two men was seen hastily leaving the spot
and mechanics hammer, bearing the initials +.
W. D., found lying near the scene of the assault.
Davis was arrested in Camden and his lsto part
ner, Mr.. Demaris in Philadelphia, both charged
with bang concerned in the murder. On the
29.h Of January Benjamin Hunter, we'll
know business man CT Philadelphia, WAS ar
rested upon the charge Of being an accessory
to the murder of Armstrong 1t was discover
ed that q few months before tho murder look
place Hunter had effected assurances in tho sum
CT S2G coo on the Tito of Armstrong, 70 SECURE.
as he said at the time, certain debts which the
latter owed him. On February LIST Davis and
Demaris were released on bond. The next dsy
Hunters examination took place, and he was
Committed to stand trial. On March:2O James
Graham was arrested on the charge of murder
ing Armstrong, and at once confessed his guilt,
but stated that he was hired by Hunter TO com.
NIT the deed The most startling part of Ora
hams confession was where he detailed how
Hunter visited the house of the wounded man
when he was at the point of death, end going to
the bedside Of Armstrong, in the sb3ence of
lady member Of the family who was acting as
nurse pressed his victims head and made the
wounds bleed afrosh
On April 10 prisoner in the jail named Ellis
| made affidavit that Hunter had approached him
and offered him $500 to put poison in Graham'5
food in order that the latter might not live to
that one of Hunters counsel Hon. James NJ
Scovel, would pay the money, and understood
what it was to DO paid for. The story, how
ever, obtained little credence. On May : the
grand jury found q true bill against Hunter. and
yesterday his trial began On Msy be pleaded
not guilty TO an Indictment of six counts
A MISSOURI POLLING CUSTOM The late
Senator Bogy used to illustrate the settled char
actor of the average Missourisn's political faith
by story of his experience when living in the
tbooc ootio Of ho or Tho
districts of that section were always good for
full vote. No matter what the weather or cir
cumstances tho returns always showed the en-
tire strength of both parties. Bogy said he
never understood this until upon one occasion
he happened to spend day at the polling place
of one of these country districts The voting
went on in the ordinary manner until about three
O. clock. Then the judges took the list, and going
over the names of all who had not appeared, they
voted every man on it, ono or the other of the
judges vouching to the rest for the respective
voters political predictions, ard his vote being
cast for the candidate Of his party. Upon III
curry Bogy said be found that this was the COM
mon practice in the country districts, no man
being allowed to lose his vote if any. of the
judges know 10 which party he belonged, and it
whose political complexion could not be prompt
~ siven.-Chicdgo Times.
INSANE IN THE PULrIT.-Victor Smith, The
young assistant of DR.. Shsckelford of the Pro.
testant Episcopal Church of Eighty-socond
street and Fourth avenue, suddenly lost his rea.
son on Sunday while assisting at the Sabbath
services of this church, and has been sent to the
Insane Asylum, his friends being reluctantly
compelled to adopt this course in consequence of
the violence of his disease. Previous to Sunday
ofsst week young Smith had shown no signs Of
alteration of mind. but it is said insanity is
hereditary in his family. 1t was noticed on the
vices that his voice trembled, and he showed |
signs of great feeling and religious forvor at the
end of his reading. After the words, ''hcre
ondeth the first lesson" the worshipers were as
tonished by Smiths suddenly springing into the |
air and down the aisle. shouting Christ is come
and am his disciple!" The unfortunate young |
mans broth or and Doctor Shsckelford endeav- |
ored to pacify him, but he tore their clothing |
from them and became very violent. Finally, |
he was induced to leave the church. Young |
Smith WAS finely nducAtad and paYa promise OF |