The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-11

day night, January %. Hunter was taken into GUS
| tody. and by clever ruse induced to go to
noninally Tor the purpose of giving his testimony
as witness. This capture was made Just in time.
for Hunter was shaving and had packed his vaiise
PRISON
! Hunter was locked up in the cell in the women 8
| department, now occupied by Thomas Graham and
certain memorandum in his note book and express
sions he made of were found usettl III making up
the case against him. Hunters position as church
member and q man of wealth and his previous good
reputation led many people to denounce this arrest
outrage, and II some time before the COM
munity believed in the possibility of Hunters guilt
on The ID OF February Hunter was given hearing
and committed to the Camden Jail to await the action
OF the Grand jury james NJ Scovel and Aaron
Thompson, Hunters counsel did all in their power
to procure his admission TO bail. aud nearly sue
ceeded at time. for until Grahams arrest in the
March following. there direct legal evidence
against Hunter. 1t is also fact published for
the frst time, that the New York insurance conpa
MES were ready to compromise on the insurance. ana
a draft for $4,000 presented to the counsel which
was declined.
After the binding OF Hunter, in pursuing the
further investigation of the the authorities be-
came satisfied that if Hunter was guilty man he
must have had an accomplice. 1t had already been
discovered that Hunter had forged note from
Davis inviting Armstrong to go to Camden. Thomas
street excited suspicion by reason Of his earlier CON
necion with the Hunters his dssolutc habits in later
years. and his continued absence from his ravorite
haunts after the commission of the crime. He was
saowed by Detective Yoder for weeks and weeks. the
officer engaging rooms and securing the confidence
and child. On the evening OF the 10Th OF March he
arrested and taken to the residence of Prosecutor
Jenkins. in Camden, where he eventually made ms
based its secured the conviction of Hunter.
During that confession he recited Hunters propo-
stion to him to murder Armstrong. followed by u
conversation between them on the afternoon pre-
ceeding the fatal nights how they went together to
Spelissey's hat store, where Hunter bought soft
hat; how they met subsequently, at Eighth and San
som streets, aud how they proceeded thence to Arm
strongs Office, where the twain separated, Graham
foxv nlcp md hon Ia
his victim they journeyed together across the
river. Graham. continuing stated that, reaching
the Camden side Of the river, the two started for
Vine street, on which was located Davis resi-
dence, their destination, and reached the place
where Armstrong found. At signal from
Hunter Graham, who had been close upon their
rear, struck the first blow. He then became fright
eded and ran away Tho accomplices met subse-
quently the ferryboat, and Graham, anxious to
know the result Of the nights work. said, with some
agitation, "Well?' to which Hunter replied. ~ fin
ished him" and added that he had hunt for the
hatchet. but could not find it.
On the 7th Of May true bill was found against
Dy S s .. Sromnht
pleaded not guilty and was taken back to his cage.
The date tor his trial xed for the 3Oth OF May.
nesses ofsthe Commonwealth until June 10.
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
When the trial begun there was the most intense
public interest in the CASE Ex-Secretary George VI.
Robson retained for Hunter III addition to the
other two counsel and the State was ably represented
by Prosecutor Richard s. Jenkins and his assistant
Wilson Jenkins. Graham told his story i'll dcta and
defence made desperate attempt to overturn his
evidence, but failed. and their lay
in Hunters own denials under oath the
witness stand and tho testimony of nearly
hundred witnesses as TO his good reputation
On the Goth OF juno both sides rested. and the
Sd day July the went to the jury about four
o'clock in the afternoon At halt-past O'Clock
that evening they returned verdict of guilty of
murder in the frst degree.
After the trial and conviction of the prisoner there
was great effort made to his ife but all to
purpose. On the 4th Of last November argument for
q new trial heard by Judge Woodruff in the
Camden Court but on the following Saturday, No
vember .. the motion was overruled and Hunter was
time he ably defended at the Court of Errors and
Appeals by Mr.. Robson; Governor Mcclellan
appealed to, and every influence brought to bear in
his behalf. But all III vain, and to-day Benjamin
Hunter met awful death for the crime Of January
3D. 1878.