News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-02-08
ABOUT THE BURDELL MURDER.
The Story Told at Pittsburg by a Former
New York Police Clerk.

A letter from Pittsburg, Pa, says
William B. Moore, now treasurer OF a
theatrical company here, but formerly
clerk at Police Headquarters III New
York, said, in an interview, that the
famous DR.. Brdell murder was com
mitted by a man named Charles Jetterds.
Moore was detailed to work up the case OF
Jefferds. who was suspected OF the murder
of John Walton and John w. Mathews
in 1860, and became very well acquainted
with Jefferds. He said: Gone day we
attended a picnic at Cutchogue, l.. l.
He was about to take number OF young
ladies out sailing. Before he showed off
he attempted to pull up the sail. The
rings were of rope and did not let 90.
They let go suddenly and Jefferds fell
overheard, the boat shooting out from
the shore and over him, holding him in
the water He was unconscious when
taken out, but was resuscitated after
much time and trouble. When he re-
gained his senses he said to me: Moore,
pray that when you come to die you may
meet death by drowning.
"'What ? said I, do you pray?
''I believe there is a God, he replied
quickly. oh, I heard such beautiful
music and saw such wonderful sights.
This narrow escape from death" con-
tinued Mr.. Moore, ''seemed to cause him
to become conscience-stricken, and he
then confessed to me that he was guilty
of the murder of Mathews. He used to
take me into a gUn-shOp, and l made up
nv mind that in that shop he had pu-
chased the revolver, which was of
peculiar make. and found that he had.
BY conveying to the owner the impress
sion that Jetferds had himself told me
that he had made the purchase there the
g1lnsmith fell into the trap, and admit
ted that he had not only sold Jefferds
the weapon but had loaded it for him.
Jefferds was indicted for both murders,
but was acquitted of the charge of TAX
ing Waltons life and found guilty of
killing Mathews. He was sent to Sing
Sing, where he was himself killed by a
couple of burglars confined there.
''While in another confidential mood,
Jefferds told me that it was he who
killed DIR. Brdell. You will remember
that it was thought that woman COM
mitted the deed, because there were six
teen knife wounds found ON the body
Well Charley told me, that when he be-
gan the attack the Doctor fought hard,
and at one time came very near getting
the best of him; but said Charley: i
got round behind him, and gave it to
him Just so in the side, and that fixed
him.. I told Superintendent Wallin9
all this, but he threw up his hands and
said that the working up of that murder
would spoil the other. As Jefferds was
convicted of the Mathew murder, there
was no need to try him for the killing of
DR.. Burdell There was a man named
Ecllles whose profile was the counter
part of Jefferds's, who was arrested on
suspicion and discharged That mistake
saved Jeferds from being arrested.
What was the motive? Well, he was III
innate with the woman Cunningham and
the. of course, instigated the crime"
eff Jefferds was sent to Sing Sing for
life for the killing of Mathews why was
he not tried for the murder Of DR.. Bur
dell and hung?" asked the reporter.
'Tn tell you why" said Mr.. Moore.
'"The law fixing the punishment for
murder was changed to read thus: One
year in the penitentiary and then to be
put to death, to obviate the necessity of
hanging Mrs. Harding. Under such a
law no Governor could be induced to
sign a death-warTant, and so convicted
m1wdercrs were sent to Sing Sing for life
to await capital punishment. As he
would stay in Sing Sing all his life, and
as that was the extreme punishment,
there was no use in again bringing him
/ 70 trial -