The Daily Times. — 1860-06-18 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

JOHNSON INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT 'AND. PARTICULARS OF THE TRAGEDY. Albert W. Hicks, alias Johnson, the murderer of the captain and crew of the sloop E. A. Jdhnson, has made a full confession of his guilt to his keepers at the City Prison. The news was communicated by one of the officials at the Tombs, and may be considered•reliable in every respect. Hicks says that the murders were committed between nine and ten o'clock at night while all the crew were below, except one of the Watts boys. Hicks was steering at the time, while Watts was at the bow on the look out. Hicks stole forward, and with an axe dealt his unsuspecting victim such a blow that he killed him outright. The noise awakened the other Watts who was below, and as the latter was coming up the companionway to see what was the matter Hicks despatched him also with the same weapon. The murderer then started for the cabin, where Captain Btir was lying asleep, and made an attack upon him. The struggle between Hicks and the Captain was a desperate one, and lasted for several minutes ; but at length the murderer overpowered his victim and knocked his brains out with an axe. Hicks says that the captain fought hard, but being unarmed, he was a poor match for him. In reference to the knife marks found on the bulwarks of the sloop, Hicks says that they were not made by him. The bodies were not thrown overboard for an hour or more after the murders had been committed; so that he had no occasion to cut the hands of his victims as they clung to the rail, as was supposed. When asked how he felt on board the sloop after the commission of the murders, he replied that the devil sustained him, and he felt good enough. "He has deserted me now, though," resumed the murderer, "and I feel bad enough." At the conclusion of the confession a long conversation ensued between the culprit and. the keeper, which ran somewhat after the following style : Keeper—You say that the captain struggled hard before he died ? Hicks—Yes, he fought bard, but I brought him at last. Keeper—You say the devil was with you, and sustqined you during the time you were on board with the murdered men ? Hicks—Yes, the devil was the fifth man, and he sustained me throughout the whole scene. He has left me since, though. Keeper—Whereabouts was the sloop when the murders were committed? Hicks—We were about fifty miles out at sea.' They say that one of the bodies has been found. How is that ? Keeper—That is the report. Hicks—l don't believe it. I was too far out at sea, and took good care that they should not come up.. Keeper—How about the murders on the ship Saladin, which you are suspected of being implicated in ? Hicks—Well, I have been mixed up in a great many scrapes. You will hear all about it when my life comes out in pamphlet form. The pamphlet is to be published for the benefit of my widow, and will be issued in a few days. Our reporter was informed that Unitid States Marshal Rynders had given an order not to allow any person to visit Hicks. The gentleLan who visits the prison for the purpose of getting the necessary materials for the biography is an exception, however, and is permitted to enter the cell every morning. Hicks appeared perfectly cool during the time he made this confession. Sometimes, however, he was not disposed to answer freely all the questions put to him by the keeper, and acted as though he was half sorry for having made a confession at all. He has a great desire to see his wife, who is now excluded from his cell and says her presence would add greatly to his ease of mind. The keepers are afraid that Hicks has some idea of making his escape, and will not allow him to see auy one, much less his wife. The prisoner spends the greater part of his time in smoking and looking over illustrated newspapers. Occasionally he indulges in singing some verses of his own composition, and in chatting with his keeper.