The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10
The Culprit Admits the Plan
ming OF the Crime.
HOW 1T WAS CARRIED OUT.
Sad Scenes at the Cam
den Jail.

BENJAMIN Hunter has confessed his guilt. He has
made statements to three persons admitting that he
formed and executed the hendish plot for which he
will to morrow suffer DEATH One of tho gentlemen
to whom the confession was made has reduced what
Hunter said to writing One Of the other two took
notes Of what the murderer told him. Both OF
these documents are said to be in existence.
One is alleged to be in the possession Of
the sheriff and may be used upon the forthcoming
trial of Graham, Hunters accomplish. The other,
in the form of notes of conversations with the
dcnncl man, now lies before me. 1t is extraor-
binary document, and the extracts which am per-
mittcd to make from it reveal BENJAMIN Hunter as
possessing the greed Of money to such an insane
degree to render him utterly merciless and re-
morseless to one whom he regarded as coming be-
tween him and his god. His statement OF what led
him to kill Armstrong reveals this. So strong was
his passion this subject that he grew pale with
excitement even in speaking Of it.
WHY HE KILLED ARMSTRONG.
Armstrong owed me money" he says. II loaned
him over $4,000 and took interest in his business,
and besides he and his brother owed nearly
900 more on other matters He wonld give
me any satisfaction about this money. Icouldnt
get back and lie treated coolly after he got my
money, even passing me in the street. Armstrong;
wifes brother, Mr.. Kellar, always said Armstrong
was liar. and found it So He promised to pay me
my money and did. used to get almost
crazy thinking about this, for some Of this money
was my wife's. Armstrong was ambitious 20 live in
better style than he could afford. His music bust
ness was not paying, and saw my money going to
keep up his style. Sometimes. after he moved into
his SAMSON street place, Armstrong wouldn't
speak to me.
"All these things made mad. couldn't sleep at
night and used to brood over this lost money night
and day. used to get up in the morning in q cold
sweat after slecpless night, aud have got up on
cold morning in a burning fever from worriment
HUNTER THINKS OF SUICIDE.
"Once went out into my barn early in the morn
ing to commit suicide. and then idea occurred to
me and stopped TO think" Hunter does
not say so in many words. bu: there
is every Likelihood that the idea Of which
he speaks was tho wicked plan to get back
the money by the death Of his debtor after he hat
insured his life. He does not say Just when he
formed this diabolca design but speaks OF 1t with
sort CT pride deep-laid plot" and exclaimed ct
one time. sswhat damned FOOL was not to make the
insurance his lifo 800 0Do nstead Of what did,.
teasno0 .sTha companies were eager to taxa aay
risk offered. aud might have done it,"
'THIs MAN MUST De KILLED
He then goes on to say that after he had made .
payment each Of the three policies on Armstrong;
life he brooded more than the loss of his
and snid, This man has got to be killed.
Hunter then admits. in answer to questions. that
the detailed story told by Graham on the witness
stand in relation to the plans to waylsy
Armstrong and do the dcel was subs.an.
TALLY correct. He admits arranging with Ora
ham to commit the murder while he
Hunter) should absent himself during trip to vir
ginis. He purchased the Ratchet at junk shop on
South Broad street. Philadelphia, and exults in his
statement that Sheriff Daubman with all his shrewd
ness, able to trace the source whence it
procured. The hammer was one Of his own
He admits that he gave Graham money just before
leaving for Virginia. and ntmates that he expected
to find the murder done when he came back.
"a DREP-LAID PLOT"
hunter takes a subtle pleasure in reciting and
dwelling on what he always insisted was "a deep-aid
plot" These were the words with which he always
designated it. He said occasion THE loss Of
this money kept awake day and night. bpt could
have slept in Armstrong; grave" Again, with in
credible GOODNESS. he says:-"His life to me was
more than tho life Of o dog. Why shouldn't he be
killcd?'
THE MANNER OF THE KILLING.
Hunters narration of the manner Of the murder
docs not differ materially from that Of Graham.
ecpt that tho accomplish sworc that he struck Arm
strong but one blow. that then his heart failed him
and he throw away his weapon and Hunter
rays that Graham struck three blows before he ran
away. Hunter never at any time was induced to say
Just how and where he struck Armstrong. This
seemed to be the only act in the tragedy
which he was oath to psrticnlarize upon. However,
he virtually admits that it his strong which
dealt the terrible blow which crushed in the top
OF Armstrong; head and made hts death certain. for
he says "when saw Graham on the boat I told him
chat had to finish him armstrong;. because he ran
away"
.F FURTHER ADMISSIONS
He admits that he forged the postal card which
purportcd to como from Ford Davis. the Camden
man who owed Armstrong money, and which
the trap to nvegle Armstrong TO his death. He adj
mts the purchase Of tho soft hat at spclsscy a a.
disguise when he accompanied Armstrong, and ID.
ms that the signal for the attack by Graham. who
was lying In wait. the word "Ycs," which Hun
tcr coud pronounce with safety because his friend
and companion somewhat deaf. He described
the separation from Graham on tho Philadelphia
side of the ferry sftcr tho murder. and admits the
promise 70 pay him $500.
THE Alrpr.
Hunter rccitcs how he cndcavored to mako ont his
allbi. and tells very interesting story which for
the nrst timc explains how IL was that Potter
Epp. . reputable tradcsman with whom he had
dealings. was induced to make lying abatement TO
the Armstrong family In declaring that Hunter had
been ut hts Epps house In Philadclphia at the time
the murder was committed in Camden. Hunter is
known to have told the exact truth in this matter rs
II IL now confirmed by snidsvt made by Epp, who
has knowledge until he reads this article OF what
Hunter has said Hunter throws light on the mys-
terry OF the hat which hc bought to conceal his
face. He says that after he went back 20 tho store
TO get his silk hat he threw away the cheap felt ono
which he had bought. He threw II In tho gutter In
Passyunk avenue. and he congratulated himself with
evident satisfaction ON its having been found.
MunpxREns FEARS
The truth is that Hunter 40 anxious to prevent
suspicion attaching to himself that ne ovcrdid the
matter. Ito began forcing his alibi on the dying
Armstrong; family before any one dreamed of &C.
eusing the man who had been Armstrong; old and
intimate friend and business psrtncr.