The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-08-01
Murder a. tba AIm,bouse.

James Reynolds, ageu 20 years, ny Cn0iA os
Hunter, a colored young man.
For some time past Reynolds was the
object of considerable fun for number
of the younger inmates, and he always
appeared to take the fun in good part.
On Saturday Hunter again began tan
talizing Reynolds, who appeared to be-
come incensed, for the young man was
very persistent. Finally Reynolds made
an attempt to draw a pocket knife
to attack his tormentor, but before he
could use it young Hunter sprang upon
him and thrust a knife blade into the
victims chest, causing death at once.
Hunter was locked up and Coroners
Kelly, of Bordentown, and Hibberd, OF
Beverly. were sent for. Kelly arrived
first, so he conducted the inquest, which
took place at Davis hotel, Pemberton,
yesterday.
The following jury was called: WINS
Davis, William w. Lippincott, Frank
Earl, James Leighton, Daniel w. Bodine,
Charles Carpenter, Allen Clevenger,
Charles R. Haines and Caleb Southland.
Prosecutor Budd represented the State;
Samuel A. Atkinson, the defendant.
The warrant for Hunters arrest was
issued by Justice White, of Pemberton'
and the prisoner was taken to the jail on
Sunday.
Joseph George. colored, an inmate Of
the aim shouse, testified that he was the
first person to arrive on the scene after
the murder had been committed. Rey-
nolds was dead, and Hunter stood there
looking at his victim, but said nothing
Witness never heard Hunter make any
threats, but had seen him plague the old
man on various occasions, as did many
other of the inmates.
On Saturday Reynolds appeared to be
out of humor "He had blood in his
eye," said the witness, land he looked
as if he had been drunk. He seemed
to have something on his mind"
Joseph Ellis, another inmate, saw Hun
ter With the bloody pocket knife in his
hand Immediately after the occurrence.
"What did you do it for ?" asked witness.
al intended to do it," replied Hunter, and
he repeated the declaration to Mrs. Gas
kill, wife of the steward
Continuing, the witness said Last
week Hunter said to me. If person
kills anybody can they go TO heavenT
On Saturday morning he told me there
was going to be some fuss around here
Charlie is a bad fellow, and is not crazy,
either. He had a rag wrapped around
the handle of the knife when ne struck
the old man.
"At one time Hunter bit piece of hesh
from Joseph Emmons' cheek, and on an
other occasion he had trouble with Joseph
Clatts, striking the latter while locked
up. Charlie has not had any fits for four
weeks"
DR.. Edward E. French, of Bordentown,
and DIR. John w. Webb, of Pemberton,
made post-mortem examination of the
body. They found wound from sharp
instrument in the chest, slightly on the
right side, penetrating diagonally into the
right auricle. The wound was about three
and a-half inches deep. Death was caused
by internal hemorrhage.
The mans heart, placed on plate,
was passed around for inspection at the
inquest. 1t will be produced at the trial
at court.
The jury rendered the following YER
dict:
eve find that James Reynolds came to
his death by stab wound penetrating
the right auricle of the heart by knife
in the hands of Charles Hunter, on the |
29th day of July, 1898, at the Burlington
County Almshouse."
Steward Theodore B. Gaskill said that
Hunter was very quiet and peace
able, but he is subject to fits, and before |
they come on he is quarrelsome. He has
been in the almshouse about five years.
At one time he was in the employ of
the late DIR. Grigg, of Mount Holly, and |
was by him sent back to the county house
The murdered man was quite well |
known in the vicinity of Bordentown.
At one time he was the driver of stage |
between that city and Recklesstown-
There came near being another tragedy
at this same institution yesterday morn
ing. A tramp by the name of Scattergood
applied for something to eat, and was Or
dered to do days work by Joseph Clatts
foreman of the premises. This the tramp
was not willing to do. and becom-
ing angry at the conversation that
ensued between himself and the nostler,
Joseph Ellis, deliberately pulled out re-
volver and threatened to shoot the latter.
Ellis exhibited considerable bravery and
stood his ground, and with the assistance
of Patrick Murphy, the fellow was dis
armed and thrown into cell.
The arrest of Hunter makes six persons
who are now confined in the Mount Holly
Jail on the charge of murder.