The New York Herald Newspaper, July 1, 1873, Page 5

, A Further Uplifting of the Curtein—Croel Treatment by Deceased of His Wife at Their Home. FRANK AMONG HIS COMPANIONS. Tn a Sudden Burst of Temper He Assaults His Friend and Then Invites Him Home to Supper. THE SCENE AT THE HOFFMAN HOUSE, The Deceased Attempts to Shoot General Har- din—Narrow Escape of the Gallant Officer. SCENES AND INCIDENTS The unexpected absence of Jacob A. Chamber- lain, one of the jurors in the Walworth case, yes- terday delayed the proceedings until half-past one im the alternoon, The Court met, as agreed, at ten o'clock, when the prisoner, accompanied by his mother, uncle and a number of other relatives, was brought im, and counsel for and against him Sppeared in their seats. The court room was at once filled. A great number of ladies filled seats inside the railing, most of them of that pecu- har class of traditional old women who enjoy murders. They were generally of an intellectual cast of countenance, and might have come to the trial as they would attend a sensational play, for ‘the indescribable pleasure of having their emotions harrowed. All of them kept bp a continual nutter ef {ans as the Court and prisoner quietly awaited the coming of the absent juror, and held among themselves a whispered discussion as to the ap- pearance of the family so deeply interested in the pending proceedings. THE PRISONER, &9 usual, appeared in his black suit and white vest, wearing a white and black check necktie at his throat. His hair was brushed carefully back from his forehead, as if his mother’s hand, even in his prison cell, had tenderly smoothed his curis, and his face looked fresh and clean, as if he were treated to his morning bath every day even in the Tombs. Next him sat his mother—a widow by his hand—dressed in deep mourning, but without the widow’s cap, with a face of Parian marble in its beauty and coldness, and the two held whispered converse all through the long wait for the juror. No anxiety was visible in the countenance of either. Sometimes a ripple of a smile would cross the countenances of both, and again a sudden look Of intense affection would illumime the eyes of each and be gone. Occasionally counsel for the prisoner would consult him, cheerily, always with- drawing with a smile on his features, and the uncle—brother of the murdered man—in dress of clerical cut, would bend forward and say a few words to the motuer and her son. Mrs. Chancellor Walworth, an elderly lady, with the same strong, still handsome cast of countenance as Mrs. Tracy Walworth, sat on the other side of the prisoner. Next her the young Miss Walworth, a girl of about sixteen, dressed in pearl-gray, and just in front of her young Tracy Walworth, the prisoner’s brother, a lad of about twelve. As the hour wore on the Court became impatient at the non-appearance of the juror, and a littie yawn of weariness appeared and was half suppressed on the face of the prisoner. But the flutter of fans in the ladies’ tow continued, the crowd of men on the benches im the rear clung persistently to their seats, and counsel chatted glinly with each other, content to wait in the increasing hope at every minute that the juror might appear. At eleven o'clock, however, the Judge received a @espatch from the absentee to the following effect:—“Train broke down. Delayed two hours.” A short consultation was held with the counsel, Qnd it was agreed that a recess should take place until nalf-past one. But not even a recess for over two hours moved the intent spectators. The ladies settled back into their seats and continued their analysis of the Walworth family, the prisoner retired to the ante-room of the Court, and Judge and Bar seized a few moments for their lunch. At half-past one all the jurors were in their feats, and the trial was continued by recalling Mrs. Walworth to the witness stand. Sixth Day’s Procecdings—The Testimony. MRS. WALWORTH RECALLED. Mrs. Walwerth again took the stand. Mr O’Conor repeated the question of a former day as to acts of violence to denote insanity. Mr. Phelps here interrupted with an objection | that the testimony should be confined to acts indi- cating insanity, and should not include acts of mere violence. Mr. O’Conor argued that abnormal acts of vio- lence were of themselves evidence of insanity. Mr. Phelps cited in support of his view the case of Oxford for shooting at the Queen of England, when such evidence was admitted under the rule stated by him. The question was repeated, the Court permit- ting it. A. Inthe Summer of 1865 I was spending a few @ays at Saratoga and had been on very pleasant terms with Mr. Walworth; time I went out with Cnancelior Walworth and two friends; we visited one of the hotels, staying for a short time and returning about ten o'clock; on my return I found that he was 1n the room and that he had the door locked; after knocking a couple of times he opened the door; he looked with fury at me, and, with a terrible oath, exciaimed, ‘1 will show you how you will leave me of au evening again”; he seized me by:the arm and shook me With great violence; he pushed me against the farniture and itteraliy tore the clothes trom my back; when | took up my iniant to leave thetroom he commanded me in the most threatening manner to lay it down again and myself; im an hour or two he fell asleep and I BACAPED FROM THE ROOM. Q. You stated just now when introducing this | subject that there had been previous acts of great violenve prior to those you have vow referred to; state whut they were. A. | said that when con- Versing on ordinary topics— The Court—You toid ull that before, Q. Were those acts Irequent’ A. Yes; he had been in the habit of actingin avery violent man- mer for a great many years, Q. After this occurrence in 1865 just detailed by you, state any further subsequent acts that recur to you. A. In the Summer of 1869, when my sister had sent me some clothing and other presents of various kinds for the children, without any pre- vious signs of displeasure, he arose suddenly in the night, and swore at his sister in a most vivient manner and commenced to search the house for the articles and destroyed them; at that time his Appearance was very remarkabie, as were also lus words and gestures. : Q. State as well as you can the nature and character of his appearance when he was enraged. A. He was always extremely pale and had THE LOOK OF A WILD BEAST; J.cannot imagine any other expression like it. Q. You spose of that occurrence in reference to clothes sent to the children; had any such occur- ace taken place more than once? A. Yes, a num- r of times; some five or six times. Q@ Do you know of or can you assign any cause for any of these acts’ A. | can assign no cause, Q. State any other instances of this violent con- ductor variety of acts which you then observed. A. At anather time, about nine o'clock, after spending a quiet evening, he came to my foom door, and as I opened the door | saw that he wore the same terrible expression, and ith bow arms uplifted, he uttered those fearful exclamations, “Hardin shall not rob me of my wite and entidren,” although we had not seen m: brother for a long time previously; he then struc’ me viclenty, and raised me in his arms in the most violent manner and threw me on the bed, where I lay for some tte unconscious; on another occasion he suddenly sprung on me and struck 1e. Q. And all this was done suddenly and without Previous cause of excitement? A, Yes. So that nis acts on these occasions were alto- gether unaccountable to you? A. They were. Q. Was his violence on these occasions great and Serious? A, Yes, sir, they were great and serious, Q. And yon stated that these acts were always accompanied with oaths? A. Yes, sir, they were. Q, Can von state any particular instance to pre- one evening at that ) y @ifferent Mustration that appears to you ht account for those acts? A. At the ‘ime rieps every day, to these violent furten, in wilck every day, ese violent furies, In would abuse nd father and brother; he did not expend all his fury on me; he would s*rike the fur- nitore and break it with whatever he might seize in his hand; he did this very frequently after his father’s death, Q. On any of those occasions of this peculiar sort of conduct did you receive any such violence as the use of his teeth upon you? A. Yes, in my finger; HE BIT MY FINGER SEVERELY. Q. Lobserve that in those letters which Mr. Wal- worth adcressed to you to several of them are no ignatures. Do you kuow any reason for that? ‘as that a habit of his? A. lt was not his habit when he wrote ordinary business letters. 7 Q. Colonel Hardin 18'a ful} brother of yours? A. es. Q. He is an oficer in the regular een? A. Yeu. Q. At the period when he Was stopping at the Hoffman House, in this city, what was bis condi- tion as to personal capacity to ight or defend him- self? A. He had been severely injured by a wound 1n the breast, and had also lost an arm. Q. He received those two wounds in two differ- ent actions? A. Yes. i. Now as to Mr. Walworth—what was his con- dition as to strength and height; what sort oO! & man was he physically? A. He was five feet eleven; an unusually muscular and robust man ; in the habit of exercising himseif greatly by long rae he used the dumb bells as long as 1 knew im, CROSS-EXAMINED., By Mr. Phelps—How long prior to your leaving him was the last act of violence? A. About ten days; alter that I was ill. Q Was he aware of your intention to depart be- fore you leit nim? A. He was not. Q. ‘Alter the act of violence which occurred ten days before you left the house, had you any inter- view with ? A. He came to my room; but never without some one being there. Q. At what time did you leave the house? A. In the morning, about ten o’cloc! Q. lunderstood you to Sei that from that time you never saw him? A. I did not see him again. Q. Have you any means of determining in a general way the letters which you received from him .and know the contents of and those which were since shown you? A. Yes; I think 1 can distinguish be- tween them. Q. Can you discriminate between all these let- ters as between those you first saw and thoséal- terwards shown to you? A. There might be a few I could not point out, but as a general thing I wouid know them all. ¥ Would you look at them ? ir. O’Conor said he had not had time to Took at all those letters, but he would deso. No doubt the lady would be able to discriminate between them. ‘he Court—Let the witness see the letters and discriminate between those that were found in the secretary and those she received herself. Witness—I think I saw only four or five; I could pick them out in a few minutes, Q. What was? the last letter you received? A. The letter I received 7th August, 1872. Q. Did you understand that the letters produced in Court and read here were all the letters received by you from Mr, Walworth since you separated? A. Not quite all; Mr. O’Conor has some more, Q. bid you answer any of those letters? A. Idid not; I wrote one letter about two or unree weeks, perhaps, after I left him; I submitted it to a friend— my lawyer; that letter was given to bim, I under- stand: I never sent him a line after that. Q. With the exception of that letter which was submitted by you to a lawyer before sending 1t you have had no communication with him of any description since the separation? A. None at all; I may have had messages from my lawyer. Q. You communicated nothing directly with Mr. Walworth? A. Nothing in any way. Q. The letter dated September, 1872, did you re- ceive that? A, No. ra Have you seen any letters later than August ? . 1 don’t think I have. The witness then left the stand. Two packages of letters were then handed to Mrs, Walworth, which she examined at the table beside which she sat, on the immediate right of the prisioner. After a brief examination of the letters contained in these packages she handed the packages back to Mr. O’Conor, with the letters witidrawn from them which she had herself re- ceived. An entry was here made on the minutes that tne the reading of any letters, and that there was no exception in reference thereto. From package No, 2 she identified letters marked “2; from package No. 9, letters marked ‘7,’ #15" and “417.” Mr. O’Conor observed that letter 15 was the one about which all the discussion was had as to its admissibility in evidence. Q. By Mr. O’Conor—Are those all you received and read prior to the Ist of June? A. Yes; I think that is all. Q. You stated thdt come of those letters found in Frank's sooretary were unopened? A. No; it was some of those that were handed to me that were unopened; this was seven or eight months after the separation; at that time there ‘was a package of letters handed to me, and among these were those unopened ones. Q. What letters were those that were unopened? A, I think they were generally those which CONTAINED POWDER AND BALLS. TESTIMONY OF LEMUEL 8. HARDIN. L, 8. Hardin, uncle to the prisoner, was next put upon the stand. He testified:—I Colonel Hardin and brother of Mrs. Walworth; I live at Louisville, Ky.; 1 lived with my sister in Kentucky (rom 1861, while she was there and her husband was away; | have known frank all his life; I spent my Vacations in Saratoga with the Chancellor; I think Frank is the best boy I ever knew; his devotion to his mother was perfect; [ never heard him speak ill of his father;I never heard anyone speak il! of him. To Mr. Phelps—I never saw him angry; he was fond of sports and cheerful, but not demonstra- tive; he had a fund of humor in him; he was never irritable or irritated ; he was better tempered than mysel!; he was in my office six months about two years ago; 1 can’t fix it nearer; it was before the Separation, at least before I heard of it; I heard Frank was with his mother when that occurred. To the Court—I was opposed to hu: ading law, he was so young, but he seemed so settled and so little disposed to frolic that I assented, TESTIMONY OF GENERAL HARDIN. Martin B. Hardin, another uncle o1 the prisoner’s, called and testified :— By Mr. O’Conor—You are a brother of Mrs, Wal- worthy A. Yes. | _Q. Were you at New York at or about the time at which your sister finally separated trom ner hus- be A. | was; 1 was stopping at the Hoffman jouse. Q. What was your condition as to health at that time? A. 1 bad been invalided for some years, partly on account of wounds and partly trom disease 1 contracted in the army; at that time I had not entirely recevered from my wounds, nor have L yet; I was suffering from severe wounds, as well a8 having lost an arm; I was, in fact, hardly | abie to ge avout at the time, and it was enly excite- | ment that kept me up. Q. Did you receive a visit from Mr. Walworth while you were at the Hoffman House’? A. I did. Q. At what hour of the day or night was it? A. It was about four o’clock in the morning; I was asleep at the time. Q. Was there any one else in the room with you at the time? A. Yes; there was a lawyer there, wrung, _Q. Your sister’s lawyer was there writing? A. es. . Q. Drawing up papers for the purpose of be- ginning the divorce case? A. 1e8; we had been engaged with them through the night; I went to bed about two o'clock; was asleep when | was awakened. Q. By what were you awakened? A. By a vio- | lent knocking at the’door. Q. What then happened? A, The lawyer ;umpeu | up and opéned the door; Walworth camé in and | waiked quietly up to the foot of my bed; he kept his hand by nis 21dé To titis manner (witness holds | his hands close to his side); 1 was still lying in bed; 1 watched him closely; he asked me, “WHERE IS MY WIFE?” he kept questioning me; | told him to keep quiet und allow me to dress; he was very much excited; I arose and was Ls on my pants, still keeping my eye on him closel, suddentiy jumped towards the door, got througn the door and drew it alter | me; he pursued and ferced the door open; le had HIS PISTOL IN HIS HAND; he presented it at me, but I escaped behind a doubie arch that was in the hall; people then came rusuing to the spot; the lawyer had rung the vell | and this gathered them; in a few secouds a police- mau came and arrested him. q. Have you haa much knowledge or intercourse with your nephew, Frank’ A. I have seen him very Often, but jor shoft periods at atime; my duties kept me in tne field; he was at my house two or three weeks at one time, and I may say I know the boy very weil. Q. Lask you, as lar as your own observation goes and from what you have heard in tie /amily or any- where else, what is his character? A. He is a very good, excellent boy. TESTIMONY OF CHARLES L. POND. Mr. Pond testified that he was a student of Union College, Schenectady; was an intimate friend of the prisoner; for the last year and a hail he had noticed a great change in bis manner, and he ve- came morose ana moody; he on one occasion called out loudly in his sleep, and when witness went tosee What was the matter he found him sleeping heavily; witness had aiso noticed his pillow Wet in the morning with @ rusty stains the prisoner, Wally Barbour, his cousin, and the wit- ness had, in April last, started for & walk; they had gone but a short distance when the prisoner suddenly attacked him and threw him down; upon asking What he meant Frank made no answer, did not even look at his questioner, and soon after wanted him to take tea with him; he never made any aliusion to his strange conduct and acted as ifhe was not aware of what he had done; witness was with him on the Sunday previ- ous to the shooting, when he acted as if he was sick; they had made arrangeme’ for an excursion to the woods to provure some flowers; he went part of the way, gathered one or two and then went home, witness and Waliy Barbour con- tinuing; when they returned they found him asleep; the next morning he told them he might go away on Monday. Mr..Poelps’ cross-examination elicited nothing new. TESTIMONY OF WALWORTH BARBOUR, Mr. Barbour testified—Kesides at Saratoga; is second cousin to Frank; have known him almost all mis life; knew his general character in the neighborhood and among his friends as being ver; good; never heard a word against him; hear the testimony given by the previous wisness, Mr. District Attorney had withdrawn his objection to | am @ son of Pond; it was correct so far as he remembered all the circumstances. On the Sanday before the occurrence aid 5 og) notice anything unusual in his countenance? A. I noticed that he was extremely pale and that the muscles of his face were contracted. Nothing of importance was elicited in the cross- examination. TESTIMONY OF C. W. SMITH. Mr. Smith, a resident of Saratoga, testified :— By Mr. O’Conor—On Sunday, the Ist of July, Frank and Mr, Pond called at my place; we talked about various things; finally Frank asked me to let him have some money, that he was going awa: on the nextday and would be back on Tuesday; told him I had no movey with me, but if he came to my store on Monday morning | would give him some ; he came on the Monday, and I gave him $15; he said he would be home on ‘Tuesday and make it all right with me, Q. How long did you know him? A. Three or four years, Q. What was his general character’ A. Very good, Mdeed; I never heard anything against him, By Mr. Phelps—What is the 1are from Saratuga to New York? A, Four dollars and @ hall. Q. What was the conversation about on Sunday? A. About various things; he came to the store the next morning a little before the train started, Augustus Von Below, recalled—When first he knew Frank he was studious and capable, but latterly he seemed not to loge his capacity, but his memory; he learned German with witness, and he spake it pretty well and wrote it with case; words that he learned and remembered in his earher studies he had forgotten, as if he had never learned them; latterly, instead of his usaal cheer- ful manner, he became gloomy, morose; som. mes it was painful to see him; he would complain of great weariness and be long in bed; his face would ush and suddenly turn pale, and a strange rattle was in his throat, ‘The cross-examination was unimportant. Mr. Ansom M, Boyle wanted to tell a long fishing story ; but ne wasso slow and circumstantial about it that the Court and counsel both agreed in cut- ting him short, and he was dismissed. Some amusement was created by his evident reluctance ene telling his story; but he finally had to sub- side, Winnifred Roach was housekeeper for the Wal- worth’s tn Saratoga; knew Frank yell; the morn- img after he had gone she noticed bad stains on the pillow—bloow stains; heard screams from his room during ‘the night; had observed these stains many times before that, during Winter and Spring, ana had heard him scream two or three times before; his appearance was very strange sometimes—very pale and Holt esac he'd travel around the room and around the yard as if he was lost entirely and ready to drop away; he’d come down to rélock the doors as late as twelve o'clock; he was the only male in the house except Tracy. By Mr. Phelps—He would come down at midnight and unieck and then reluck the house; in my room I could teil his movements ; sometimes he'd go out; he would do this very near every night; once in a while he’d go out; sometimes he looked irightened 5 he’d walk fast; Saturday evening before he leit heme noticed this, Joseph W. Hill, recalled—Has known Frank for over @ year; when he first came to his law office he was studious, but soou he observed something that made him believe Frank had something ab- sorbing on his mind; he wouldn’t convérse as usual, and made no progress in his studies; these habits continued, until finally he would come to the office and notice nobody, sitting there unoccu- } pled for two hours, nd then leaving ; he complained Of being languid and sick. Dorothy Smith (colored)—Had been servant of the family all her life; knew Frank since he was born; when he was seven or eight years old he fell trom a car and was hurt back of his head, it was bleeding; last Summer his pillows where he had slept over night were stained a kind of brownisu yellow; seen them three diferent | times; used to hear him scream in his sleep; in 1862 he laid for two days with a sort of headache, and then had convulsions, frothing at the mouth; had been fishing and thought it might be the sun; the day before the Southern tourna- ment in Saree im August, he was sick again and | found him in convulsions; I bathed him with warm water; don’t know if it was the effect of the sun. ‘ Thomas W. Todd said—I reside at Syracuse; I knew the prisoner in 1870; he was playing a game at ball; Frank became insensible for half an hour, but no one eige did; the next sey he was languid ; he hurt his nose and his forehead. John L. Barber said he had known Mansfield Tracy Walworth; knew him twelve years ago; [ have known him all the time since; in 1861 or 1862 | 1 saw hin put on a Coniederate uniform, and he said that he held a commission in the Confederate army; this was at the time Walworth was in Wash- ington; I told the Secretary of State, and, on sub- sequent inquiry, I found that the story was not true; I think he said he was a captain in the army; he told me at the time he was in the employ of Colonel Stuart; I know Frank Walworth; I have observed tat he has appeared very moody and occupied; 1 have frequently met him on the side- walk and he has never noticed me; 1 have noticed that his face was peculiarly pale and there were twitchings of his face. Dr. Grant said—i reside at Saratoga Springs una resided there for some years; am a physician and surgeon; had known ‘the prisoner for several years, and his character generally was good, By ex-Judge Garvin—During the years you have known Frank Walworth have you ‘noticed any change in him ? Witness—I noticed a decided change in him six or seven months ago; he came to my office in the aiternoon; he was in the habit of coming there once or twice a week to play billiards, 1 asked him to go upstairs; we went up and he sat by the win- dow; he looked out and looked up; I said to him “Have you tired yourself out so quickly?’ he made no reply; I took off my coat and took up my cue; he went to the table and put the white balls, where red balls should go; just before striking the red balls he noticed his mistake’ and said that was not the way to begin a game; he then placed his balls properly and piayed half an hour or 80; | notaced tuat he had a peculiar ap- pearance for a day or two aiterwards; the second Ume | noticed any peculiarity was when he called one evening and We played; | said te him it was his turn to play; he made no remark, and | said to him again, ‘Frank, it is your turn to play;” he spoke in @ sharp, unnatural voice and suid, “He was ready; he sprang up from his seat and struck the’balls with great force; the stroke counted, but instead ot playing the ball again he struck one of the red balis se hard that it dropped on the floor, and almost instantly he dropped into the chair; his face twitched violently; be was breathit very heavily and he was snoring; I sat by his side and said, ‘Frank, what ails you?’ he made no reply, but made an effort to open his eyes; I think he raised his nead ang repeated my question ina listless voice; after @ree or four seconds he put on his coat; | asked him where he was going; he said he was going home; he also said it was near six o'clock and he promised to be home at six; [ asked him if he would not stay and finish the game; he said, “No, he had to be home at 81x o'clock ;”’ at the same time he began to take off nis coat; this was about five or six o’clock; I did not notice any decided symptoms of change until about five or six weeks ago; he got into a carriage to ride with me; we were talking about typhoid fever; after several minutes had passed and he did not make any remark, I looked at him and saw he Was staring right ahead, and his face was livid; 1 said to him, “Frank, are you sick?” he did@ not say anything but continued to stare; I then put my hand on ius shoulder amd said, “Frank, are you sick?’ he did not say anything, but continued to stare; he then gave me a wild look, and said, “How far is it to the springs?” I then said to him, “Frank, what is it you complain of” he then repeated, again and again, the word “fruit,” ‘“druit;” his arm was very rigid aud his muscle relaxed; he said, “Did you think I was going to truity’’ Tsaid, “You acted so strangely I did not know what to think of it;” Lasked him what he meant when he Was going to strike me; he put his hand up to his head and said he could not conceive any reason We %: : ould Neue me. . tl you please state ina general way wnat these thithoe iaeicaiet 4, Lo my mind they indi- cate epilepsy. " Q. Is that condition affected by thé ewiou of the mindy A. Yes; elliptical mania, Cross-examination by District Attorney Phelps— EXECUTION. A Negro Boy Hanged in North Carolina for an Attempted Indecent Assault. THE CRIME OF AARON STROUD. History of the Case to the Final Chapter. A BUNGLED, BARBAROUS EXECUTION, HILLSBOROUGH, N, C., June 30, 1873, Beginning with one of the most horrible deeds in the annals of crime, followed by arrest, confession and indictment; then a fair and exceedingly im- Partial trial, after a prolonged imprisonment, the case of Aaron Stroud, a negro, was brought to a final and tragic close to-day. on a wretchedly im- Provised gallows. The details of the crime were not given at the time in the local papers; they were in fact too repulsive for publication, and only @ brief recital of the facts, sufficient for all Purposes of information, will be given here. _ HISTORY OF THE CRIME, Four miles west of Chapel Hill, the seat of the beautiful, University of North Carelina, lives Manley D, Stroud, one of the most respected, affluent and worthy citizens of Orange county, Prior to the war Mr. Stroud was the owner of @ large number of slaves who were treated with a kindness and consideration characteristic of the family, At the close of the war there was, as was the general practice, a uni- versal Hegira o! the liberated slaves, each indt- vidual negro eager to vindicate his claims to free- dom by a change of residence or location. As an illustration of the kindness of the Stroud family a number of their former slaves, instead of following the prevailing example, decided to abide with their old master and continue the comfortable life they had already led in that service. Among them was the negro Aaron, who had been born to the family, and, except in the name, his position was entirely un- changed, On the plantation there was always a degree of trust and contidence—a reliance upon the fidelity of the negroes; a belie in their affec- tionate attachment to the family, which was con- sidered an effectual safeguard against any deed of violence, and this trustfuiness in a state of bona- age was rarely ever misplaced. This state of feeling remained unchanged in the Stroud place. The children of the family looked upon the negroes. with the same degree of confidence, the same abid- ing consciousness of respectful consideration and with the same claim to protection. It was the habit of the smaller children to follow the boy Aaron (for he was only sixteen years old) to tne different places where the stock was fed. On the girls—one the daughter of Mr. Stroud, the other a niece—had followed Aaron, a8 was their custom, to the hogpen. ‘The elder of the two was not quite four years old; the other was younger. The hog- pen was located some four hundred yards from the family residence, from which it was separated by @ branch, or small stream, with shrubbery in- tervening. Upon arriving here the negre did not immediately proceed to periorm the duties which brought him. He first caretully reconnoitred the place, and atter satisfying himsel! that no livin; soul was near to witness his contemplated hellis! act he seized the elder little innocent, threw her en the ground and accomplished his _pur- pose a8 well as the age of the child would permit. He then took her to the branch and, alter making an effort to efface the marks of his guilt by washing off the blood from the person and clothes of the child, he brought her back in his arms to her mother, with the story that she had hurt herself climbing a tence. The child almost at once fell asleep, Wiille a messenger. was despatched for'@ physician, upon whose urrival a very cursory exaluination was made, and he lett without really knowing the extent or nature of her injuries. Shortly after his departure the child woke up, and she described as well as her limited powers of lan- guage would permit, in lisping and innocent tones, the nature and particulars of the terrible deed. The child was severely lacerated, and she bled freely tor @ number of days. On the same day the indignant and ougraged father and rela- tives took the negro an@ closely examined him. ‘They tied him up, and aiter a while A FULL CONFESSION OF GUILT was extorted from him. Upon the subsequent trial this confession was not admitted in evidence. ‘The first and natural impulse was to inflict sum- mary punishment and hang the fiend at once; but better counsel prevailed, and he was committed to the county jail here to await trial by the regular course oflaw. The offence was committed shortly before Christmas, the witnesses not specifying tne exact day. On the 7th day of May last the prisoner was ARRAIGNED FOR TRIAL, The prosecution was ably conducted by Solicitor | Bulla and the defence by Major Jonn W. Graham, State Senator, and son of the Hon, Wiliam A. Graham, ex-Secretary of the Navy. A marked sensation was produced by the presence of the little victim of the outrage in Court. The child was accompanied by her mother, who held her asleep on her knees during most of the trial. The criminal was @ perfect picture of stolid indiference and insensibility, looking around the court room as if amazed at the novelty of his position and seeming | to be interested in sights and c.rcumstances en- tirely new to him. The only admitted evidence | was entirely circumstantial, the condition of the child showing that viclence had been committed ; that no other male person could have been present but the accused; his bringing the child to her mother with au improbable tale of the injury; his | efforts to efface the stains of the erime, and, above | all, the finding of blood upon his garments, made the chain of evidence irrefragable. The defence was both eloquent and abie, and the case being given to the jury, that body retired, and after a lew | mmutes reappeared in the court room with A VERDICT OF GUILTY, Before His Honor pronounced sentence the counsel for the defence made a stirring appeal in the prisoner's behalf, arguing tuat the sentence of death could mot result in this | cage, a8 under the constitution the only crimes punishable by the extreme penalty were Inurder, burglary, arson and the vielent Citar | of women. He argued that the latter crime ha | not been committed in this case; and believed it | to be only a statutory offence, not covered by | the constitutional provision. ‘The outr: had not been proven; the age of the child alone eee guarantee Of that. It was, therefore, only violence upon the person, with an attempt to commit outrage. He, therefore, prayed, on behals of lus cient, that sentence of death would not be pronounced. His Honor took the case under consideration and adjourned the Court untif two P. M., at which time he took his seat, and, without any preparatory remarks, sentenced the prisoner to be executed in the jail of the county to-day. between the nours of twelve A. M. 1 have been a physician for several years; | was in charge of Albany Lunatic Asylum where | had forty cases of lunaey under my care. At the conclusion of Dr. Grant’s testimony, it being nearly five o'clock, counsel held a short cou sultation with the Court, and an adjournment tool place until ten o'clock this morning. Mr. U’Cone informed his Honor that the deience had only tr more witnesses to examine, and the defence thr fore will most probabiy be conciuded to-day. THE BEECHER-WOODHULL SCANDAL. A Characteristic Letter from Mr. Beecher, Denouncing “the Stories” as “Grossly Untrue.” Rev. Mr. Beecher has sent the following letter for publication to the Brooklyn Hagle:— To THE EDITOR OF THE BROOKLYN EaGLE:— In a long and active life in Brookiyn it has rarely happened that the Kagle and myseli have been in accord on questions of common concern to our feilow citizens. I am for this reason impelled to acknowledge the unsolicited confidence and regard 0 which the columns of the Hagle of late | bear testimony. I have just resurned to the city to learn that application has been made to Mrs, Victoria Woodhull for letters of mine supposed to comtain information respecting certain imiamous stories against me. | have no ob- Jection to have the agile state in any way it deems fit, that Mrs. Woodhull, or any other person or per- sons who may have letters of mine in their posses- sion, have my cordial consent to publish them. In this connection, and at this time, I will only add that the ssories and’ rumors which have for some time past been circulated about me are grossly untrue, and I stamp them in general and ia par- ticular as utterly faise. Respectiuily, HENKY WARD BEECHER. A PATAL EXPLOSION. SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 1873, A despatch from Virginia City this morning states that last night a quanity of giant powder, stored in Root's building, in the rear of the Bank of California, exploded with terrific effect. Both buildings are complete wrecks. Ten or twelve per- sons were killed, ingiuding General Von Bokkelon, Charles Knox, Willfam Lowe and Beajamin man: del. Additional werticulars will be forwarded soon. TMOFE, BY ALLE sasiss msds | know wind abuse any” lemal yeurs, he shail sufler death, The acto! the Legisiature of North Carolina, Special Session of 1868, chapter 44, section 2, provides That if any person shail ravish or ‘carnally kiow any femule of the age of ten years by force, or against her wil, or shall unlawfully know and’ abuse any female child | Under the age of ten years, he shall suffer death.” THE CRIMINAL, Aaron Stroud was a lad of about sixteen years of age, ratuer smail and ill-grown ior tis age, but | alulil-blooded negro in color and features. The forehead was retreating, the nose flat, the lips thick aud thejaw long and thin, He had » stroug development of the animalin the contourof ws bead and rather more than the usual marks of mental weakness in his physiognomy, Yet though low in the scale of intellect he was greatly re- moved above idiocy, and couid ndt be defended on the ground that he did not know the difference between right and wrong. THE LAST DAY ON EARTH. The culprit passed @ last restiess and sleepless night, and the day dawned upon him haggard, careworn, tortured by remorse and repentance for the terrible crime he had committed. He was un- able w eat any breakfast, but he drank a little milk, and then devoted himself to prayers. At ten A. M. he was called upon by your correspondent, to whom he expressed tie utmost contrition and sorrow for his crime. “Oh,” he said, “if you forgive me this time, I'll never do such a thing agaiu."” ‘The poor wretch, even at that late hour of his lifeshougnt he might possibly be let off; but he was told that God alone could forgive hin now, and thes he said, “I think God has forgiven me, I have ed hard and [ hope to be saved.’ He believed jad made his peace with his Maker, and ex- pressed himself ready to meet his wmpending doom, THE PLACE OF DEATH. ae, to the instructions of the Judge, the execu i hild under the age ot ten ition was private, the scaffold, or what was ed for it, befng constructed in a lower room 4 of |. Two executions had taken place in the eae derogae apartment, the victims dying by day on which the outrage was committed two little | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JULY 1, fr —TKIPLE SHEET. the tortures of si ‘The ceiling of this room is about ten feof from the floor. From the window aill, at one -eide of the room, hung sus- pended a drop, three feet from the floor, but a square pit, made just under the drop, gave @ fall of four feet, This was an jmprovement since the last , strangulation tragedy, About eleven o’clock the condemned boy was conducted from his cell up stairs to the death room below.. A common cotton rope, with the hangman’s noose round his neck, hung coiled over his shoulders, and the black cap fell like @ nood on his back. A mere stripling of a negro , he appeared m an old, ragged plantation suit, bare-headed and bare-footed, and when he emerged among the spectators with the executioner’s regalia ne looked at the improvised scaffold and then around at the crowd in a sort of stupid but calm amaze- ment. The drop was placed in. position, and at @ sign from the Sheriff he mounted nimbly upon it, and he then leoked around ag if to see what he was next todo. All the time he maintained the most perfect composure, sheriff Hughes then read the death warrant, the boy standing on the drop listening witn a stolid indifference to the words as they fell frem his lips. When this was concluded the Sherifasked him if he had anything to say, When, with a childlike simplicity, he made a detailed statement of the entire outrage sub- stantially as above narrated, but by far more dis- gesting and revolting. He acknowledged he had een & bad boy, contessed he stole things from his mistress; expressed @ love for all humanity, his victim particularly; hoped that all would meet him in heaven, and then told the Sheriff to hurry, that he was ready, His ankles were pinioned, the rope was tied to & sthple in the ceiling, the black cap.was drawn over tie features and at eighteen minutes past eleven the drop fell. It was A BUNGLED AND BARBAROUS EXECUTION The knot slipped to the back of the ueck; the fall was only four feet and the neck was not broken, For about two minutes there were violent strug- gles, then an occasional heaving of the chest, ac- companied by a guttural noise in the throat for about ten minutes, At that time the puise was feeble at seventy-two. In eighteen minutes there was action of the heart, and in twenty-tive minutes life was extinct, Alter hanging thirty minutes the. bony ree cut down and placed in @ coffin for inter- ment. A large number of boys were admitted to the room to see the suspended form of the criminal by the Sheriff, which was absolutely contrary to the statute on the subject and to the express instruc- tions of the Judge. PIGEON SHOOTING. The New National Champion Badge Do-. nated by Mr. L. L. Lorillard—The Con- ditions Under Which It is To Be Shot For—The Time and Place. The national badge for pigeon shooting, insti- tuted by the Rhode Island Club, having passed into the hands of Captain Bogardus, of Illinois, for all time to come, without doubt the lovers of traps and triggers will be glad to learn that Mr. Louis L, Lorillard, of this city, has instituted another cham- pionship, the distinguish@g trophy of which 1s to be furnished at his sole expense. This champion- ship will be virtually won and the badge acquired by @ grand sweepstakes, to be shot for at Saratoga on Wednesday, August 6, during the second race meeting at that popular Summer resort. The con- ditions of the sweepstakes are that the entrance shall be $100 each, play or pay, half ef which shall | be added to the badge and the other hal! go to the party making the second best score. The sweep is to be of forty birds each, from five ground traps, thirty yards rise, eighty yards boundary and both barrels allowed. Entries for this event will close at the ofice of the Spirit of the Times, at twelve M. on Thursday, July 24, and it is contidently ex- ected that all the great marksmen at trap shoot- ng in the United States and Canada will come up enn take part in the grand tournament. he championship matches are to be for $500a side and at filty birds each, under like conditions asabove. The holder of the badge Must shoot as often as once in three months—that 1s to say, In one week from the time of the decision of any match the winner of the badge may be challenged again, and he shall shoot within three montus from the date of the challenge. The matches for the badge shall be shot according to the English rules, though somewhat modified and enlarged to meet all the requirements of such events, Kach party must bring not less than seventy birds on the ground, and each party may trap and handle his quota of birds, or furnish a substitute. The part, commencing to trap shall continue until the match | is half out, that is to say, until twenty-five birds each have been shot at, when the opposite party shall commence and trap an equal number. It shall be decided by “toss” which party commences trapping. In case ofa tie, the parties shail shoot at five birds each; in case of a second, they shall shoot at five more, and so on until the match is decided, the conditions governing trapping to ap- ply the same as in the matcn, ‘The badge presented by Mr. Lorillard, and which must be held by a party for two years against all comers before becoming his personal property, ts of the most beautitul and costly description. He has had it designed and manulactured by the most skilful artists and workmen that could ve ob- tained. It is large, of the fines: goid, and is made undsually attractive by the addition of a rare and costly diamond, A large roumd shield, encircled by @ beautilul laurel wreath, depends from two guns, crossed, Which are held in the talons of am eagie in full fight. This spiendid work of art may be in- | Spected at the office of the Spirit af the Times this week, and probably until after the closing of the sweepstakes, KINGS COUNTY MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 0 ES The Board of City Works and Clark’s Offal Contract—The Fourth of July Firework Contract Failure. The Board of Aldermen met yesterday afternoon, Alderman Clancy in the chair. Acommunication was received from the Mayor nominating John S, Marcellus as @ member of the Board of Education, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Edward M. Cullen. The homination was confirmed, In reply toa resolution of the Board of Alder- men the Board of City Works sent in a communi- cation stating that they had patd $2,500 counsel feegincurred by Water Board in 1872. The present Board had not incurred apy lability for counsel fees. The City Clerk stated ‘that he had called upon the Board of City Works and notifled them of the pas gage Of a resolution asking for a full listof al | moneys paid out by them for counsel tees, and that the President of the Board had made ne reply. A communication was received from the Board of City Works setting forth that Edward Clark, con- tractor for the removal of offal and nignt soil, had failed te comply with the specifications of his con- tract. Alderman MACPHERSON offered a resolution that the Board of City Works be directed to readveriise for proposals for the removal of dead animals, night soil, garbage, &c., according to the specifications in which Edward Clark agreed to do the work, and that the Corporation Counsel be directed to prose- cute Arthur Lennon and Henry Hamilton, the bondsmen of Clark, for his fatiure to do the work. Alderman RICHARDSON faoved that the resolution be referred to the Health Committee of the Board, with instructions to report at the next meeting of the Board, aud, in the mean time, if in their Judgment it should beceme necessary vo incur any expense, that said committee have power to do 80, HEADS OF A Volcano in the Department of Public Works, 1200 EXECUTIONS EXPECTED Interview with Commissioner Van Nort. How the Estimates of the Department of Publi Works Have Been Cut Down—Interesting Facts and Figures—Commissioner Van Nort on the Department of Finance and the Department eof Public Parks, Arumor which gained ground yesterday afters noon arouad the City Hali to the effect that Com- Public Works—rumor had it 1,200—caused the greatest excitement among the local puoll- tictans and in the different departments, It was reported that the new Board of Apportion- ment which the politicians understand to mean Comptroller Green had so cut down Commissioner Van Nort’s estimates for the Department of Public Works as to make this action on Mr. Van Nort’s part a matter of moral necessity, Commissioner Van Nort, of course, sent in his REGULAR ESTIMATES for the running of the Department of Public Works for the current year on the Ist of January, accord ing to the old law. These estimates were, of course, to be presumea to be the lowest amounts for which, in the opinion of Commissioner Van Nort, the Department of Public Works could be run for the year. When the charter, however, became a law, chape ter 758, section 1, of the laws of 1873, provided that a new Board of Apportionment, to consist of the Mayor, the Comptroller, the Chairman of the Board of Aldermen and the President of the Depart- ment of Taxes and Assessments, should re-estimate the expenses of each department of the city gov- ernment for the current year. This new Board, which the politicians believe is run by Mayor Havemeyer aud Comptrolicr Green—Mr. Vance, the Chairman of the Board of Aldermen, and Mr. Wheeler, the President of the Department. of Taxes and Assessments, being popularly sup- posed to be negative members—cut down the esti- mate of the Department of Public Works wofully, and hence the rumor of yesterday. Not only la- borers employed under the Department, but even the CLERKS AND HEADS OF BUREAUS wert y much concerned over tne action which it was rumored Commissioner Van Nort intended to take. To test the truth of this rumor and to get at the real facts a HERALD reporter waited on Commis- sioner Van Nort yesterday afternoon, He found that gentleman in his private office, at the City Hall, bustly engaged eon over the payroils of his department. Mr. Van Nort was 80 closely engaged during the day at this work that he never once left his oMce after coming down town in the morning, and at five o’clock and long after his clerks had departed he was stillat his desk, with the payrolls of “the Public Works” and the esti- mates of the new Board of Apportionment on the desk before him. . The Commissioner received the reporter pleas- antly, who apologized for disturbing him and re- marked that he had called in consequence of a ru- mor with regard to the Department of Public Works which had cansed A GOOD DEAL OF EXCITEMENT outside. What is that?” asked the Commissione “None other than that you intend to cut oy. immense number of hands in the Departinent, | rejoined the reporter. “Well,” replied Mr. Van Nort—searcely raising hi face from the des! ousee I aim engages, at thal work just now.” . ue ve “What is the reas@h of this wholsale reduction, Mr. Van Nort?’’ , “The Comptrolle’ has so cut down the estimates of the Departmer,: of Public Works that it is abso- lutely necessar” for me to cut down salaries and to discharge a large number of men.” , “That is, your estimates of last January have been cut down, Mr. Commissioner ?” asked the re- porter. “Yes, sir’? Commissioner Van Nort replied, “and you must remember that these were my minimum | estimates. “it is reported, Mr. Commissioner, that you have the intention ofdischarging 1,200 men from the Department.”” ‘The Commissioner, shaking his head, said, “I can make no positive estimate as to the number of men I shall have to discharge yet. [ shall cut down salaries wherever the opportunity offers, and, wherever I cannot do otherwise, of course I must discharge. I shali have to make a proportionate scale of reduction all round.” “Do Lunderstand you to say that this will affect even the clerks in your Department and the heads of bureaus?” asked the reporter. “Certainly. 1 shall have to reduce wherever it is racticable in the Department, and where I can’t eads must go off.’ “Might [ask you to point out to me, Mr. Com- missioner, where the reductions by thé new Board of pose ap a affects your Department most?!? “Well, there are the repairs of wooden pavements cut down one-half; the gas $50,000; the salaries, above all, $50,000 more. In all, the estimates for running the Department have been cut down two hundred and odd thousand R “T think, Mr. V Nort, wne exact figures would be of interest to the readers of the HERALD, if you would be kind enough to give them to me.” Commissioner Van Nort turned to his desk and after some time suppited the reporter with the, following list of the reduc’ ONS :- | REDUCTIONS IN THE pals fe OF PUBLIC Ma Free Latha, ¥ t he minimum estimate of Commissioner on the Ist of January . ire of Belgian pavements, pavements trom the on the 9 Eutimate tor supplies, from $50,000 to ing of ce: * Total reduction in the Department of Pubite Wor ‘neluding extras not mentioned above. THE COMPTROLLER'S DEPARTMENT. Philly +s Alderman Richardson said there was no man who would be more ready to take prompt action in this matter than himself, but he thought it uawise to act hastily. _ Tron cata that thaw ahanid be in a” TO PELL ihn Uwueeues oo Hn but I believe it would be unwise for this Board to or Pa of Fi take charge of the c@ntract before examining into | op the matter. in what particular specification has he failed’ ‘Is it in reference to his boats, in refer. | Brid $ ence to his removal of dead animals, or in reterence | Cap to his dumping the ht sou? ancl After some further discussion, the motion of Al- derman Richardson, to refer ‘the matter to the | whe Health Committee, was adopted, near The Board of City Works reported that Messrs. | 6 Edge & Co. said that they could not get the works i ready in the time specified. The contract was | bac! then awarded to Mr. Hadfield. A communication | men was received from Mr. Hadfield shortly alter, say- upse ing that he could not finish the works im time. The cohiract Was then rescinded, thre! Alengthy discussion followed as to whether or | and no they should have any public display. Some of | Of tl the Aldermen were in favor of keeping the money | ford, in the city treasury, While ethers held that the com- | one munity would be greatly disappointed if they had | beac no aap ey and it would be a disgrage to the Alder- | Dorr men. The matter was finally referred to the Com- | abou mittee on Fourth of July, with power to get up the | Hen; best display they could in time, the} The Beard then adjourned, — csnnsoninaincinssantiahmasatanetinn 1 FIRE AT HUNTER’S POINT, pad The New York Oi! Company's works, Hunter's an Point, were discovered to be on fire at half-past | Oty ~ three o’clock yesterday morning, and though an | atw > alarm was immediately given and all the engines | turn in the vicinity were promptly on the spot the lames could not be subdued, They spread with alarming rapidity and an adjoining lumber yard caught fire, which ended in the almost total destruction of the Al timber stock, When the fire burnt itselfout the | yar oil Works were a mass of ruins, the building haying i been completely gutted. No exact estimate of the | ¢ ® loss can be made, The insurance on the ollworks | fired amounts to about $4,000, while the lumber yard | Yard had no insurance on it, BUDO) eae aa |