The New York Herald Newspaper, January 13, 1873, Page 3

~The Devil’s Prompting and First ARSENIC, ARSENIO. LYDIA SHERMAN, Confession of the Arch Mur- deress of Connecticut. Black-Hearted Borgia a Com- parative Angel. A THRILLING HISTORY. Mrs. Strack’s Life in New York, York- ville and Carmansville. HUSBAND NO. 1. Terrible Temptation, John, Martha Ann, George Whit- field, Ann Eliza and Ly- dia Struck Poisoned. Bloody Deeds Perpetrated with a Cold Heart. HUSBAND. NO. 2. She Seizes Hurlburt’s Property and Hurls Him Info the Grave. Suspicion and Fear in the Conscience of the Feminine Fiend. HUSBAND NO. 3. Sherman Turns the Tables--- ' Marries and: Robs Her. Revenge Still Biting in Her Hellish Soul. "LITTLE FRANKY” AND “ADA” KILLED. Horatio Treated at Last with “Doctored” Brandy and Yields Up the Ghost. Didn't Want to Kill Him, Only Make Him Sick of Liquor.” God and Justice No Longer To Be Defied. ‘A FEARFUL RETRIBUTION. The Post-Mortem on Sherman, Her Arrest, Trial, Confinement and Sentence. CANTING HYPOCRISY TO THE LAST. “I Made Up My Mind to Givo Myself Up to Christ and Confess Everything.” THE HERALD'S SPECIAL REPORT. € —_—— Awe, ee, New Haven, Conn,, Jan. 11, 1878, ” probabiy the most prominent criminal of the ‘weaker sex thus far heard from is Mra. Lydia Sher- man, who has just been sentenced to the State Prison for life. The particular offence which has caused her to spend the remainder of her days ‘within the secure walls of the Wethersficla mansion ywas the poisoning of her third and jast husband, Mr. Horatio N, Sherman, a very clever and frugal man, The incidents of her trial and conviction for causing the death of Mr. Sherman have all been told in the HgRaLD, and the account of her sen- tence to imprisonment for life, which was pro- J only yesterday, is also still fresh in the ‘of the cCommonity. But Mrs, Sherman is no ordinary woman—in faey she % ne ordin- ‘pry criminal, me common felon, Her own admissions as well as the general gossip in the Betghborhood where she is well known confirm Bhe opinion of Judge Sanford, wko, when he sen- tenced her yesterday, intimated « feeling of regret that he could not send her to the scaffold instead ‘ef to the State Prison, Although she was only convicted of MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREB, she is probably guilty of over half a dozen capital Offences; and if her own story is true she is one of those peculiar beings whom it is hard to think of as deserving of sympathy. Here in Connecticut the fecling against her has amounted almost to a prejadice, and expressions of regret that she could Bot have been hanged have been numerous and em- phatic. HER CARRER IN JAIL. ‘The story of her trial was told in the HERALD from day to day, but since her conviction and re, manding to jail for sentence her earcer, as well her wishes, have ouly beem known to jailer Web- ster, or such as could make it a pecuniary ebject for him to give the ordinary information which public oMcials are supposed to furnish the public. For eighteen months the feminine prisoner has been an inmate ef the New Haven Jail. She told the Hunaxp reporter the other day that she bad always been weil treated there, that the jailer and his wife were very kind to her, and that was about sll she cared to say, unless Mr. Webster, ‘whe jailer, thought it was best. “Well, Mra, Sherfaan,” interrupted the good. hearted official, “the story that you told, and ‘Which has beem sol to certain parties to be pub- Ushed after the sentence, is about right, ain’t it?” “Why, of course it is, and the HERALD man can get it at the proper time, can’t he?” “I suppose 80,” responded the jailer, with a know- ing wink to the heroine of arsenic. A momentary conversation of the reporter with the jailer then ensued, during which the HeRALn representative ‘was told that he might ask the prisoner any ques- ‘sions he paw fit; bat he could get nothigg out of her, He admitted that she was preparing a confession for the public, that she had given it to him, anc that he had indulged in the common Yankee weakness of making ap honest dollar eut of it, ‘THE CONFESSION, according to the expressed opinions of those whose “wish was father to the thought,” is one of those remarkable chapters of crime and depravity which only culminates once in a generation. Even Lydia herself thought it was a good thing. “It is @ fall story of my whole life,” she said to a HERALD reporter, “and I know thatit will be read with interest. I have told Mr. Webster about everything. I don’t know that! can say anything more, unless that it is 1 am enjoying myself and am very happy, and that is a feeling I have not ex- perienced before for many years.” As she said this her eyes twinkled, and her whole feminine frame kept time to what seemed to be & happy and festive titter. There was nothing of in- sanity in her demeanor, but there was evidently struggle to produce an impression upon her visi- tor. The same stolid and yet, smiling conduct characterized her during the sentence yesterday. She said she was happy, and in the same breath she admitted with apparent delight crimes which 4s to almost impossible to realize as # reality. HER OWN STORY. ‘The narrative of this remarkable wretch is in- deed an interesting and entertaining one. It is told, as will be seen, ina sort of straightforward manner, and probably embraces considerable truth, notwithstanding the fact that the whole story is actually copyrighted :— HER BARLY HISTORY. Iwas born near the town of Burlington, N. J., on the 2th of December, 1824, and am now forty- eight years old. When I was about nine months old my mother died, and I was taken to live with my uncle, Mr. John Claygay. He was a farmer and the father of three children. In hia family I was treated with the same kindness as the other mem- bers of it. We all worked hard, and I was able to goto school only about three months during the year. I never attended school much when a girl. When I became sixteen years old my two brothers came to visit me, and when they returned to their home in New Brunswick I went with them, and alter a stay of three weeks I returned to my uncle’s, accompanied by my younger brother Ellsworth, who remained there for about five months, We both then went back to New Brunswick.and I went out to service in the family of Rev. Mr. Van Amburg, who resided in the town of Jacksonville, twenty-five miles distant from New Brunswick. I lived in his family for three years, at the end of which time my brother came again to see me, and I went back with to New Brunswick. Soon after I began to lear THE TRADE OF A TAILORBSS, with the sister of my brother's wie, and boarded at the same time with my brother Ellsworth. For three monthe I worked, making pants and vests, without pay, and then wae employed bya Mr. Owen, for whom I did sewing a part of the time at bis shop and @ portion of the time at my home. I $F tinned to work. in this way until trade became i, and then I went to work in Mr, Owen’s family, He was @ class leader in the Methodist church there. He was @ véFy fad wan aid his wife was an excellent lady, and both are now liv- ing. I remained in this family about four months and then went back to work in Mr. Owen's shop and boarded with my brother Elisworth at the time. I continued thus employed for a year. Dur- ing all this time J was a member of the Methodist church. vieriM NO. 1, ‘While with Mr. Owen I became acquainted with Mr. Edward Strack through my class leader, Mr. Jacob Edmonds, Mr. Struck was then a member of the same church with which 1 was united. He ‘was a very devoted Ohristian and remained such until a few months before hie death. Until then he had family prayers during most of the time. I ‘was bis wile for eighteen years, and he died about eight years since. Ido not remember dates, We were married at the residence of my brother Exleworth in New Brunswick, and then my husband went to Yorkville, where he worked at hie trade, that of a carriage blacksmith. He worked for ax weeks, coming home only on Saturday nights and returning on Monday mornings. We then went to Yorkville to live, and Mr. Strack werked for Mr, Brewer for one year. Our first child, a girl, was born during this time, and we named her Lydia, Then we MOVED DOWN TO NEW YORE CITY and my husband worked for Mr. John Butler, at the corner of Prince and Crosby streets. We resided two doors from the corner of Elizabeth and Hous- ton etreets, We lived there three years, and during tnat time two boys were born, whom we called John Wesley and George Whitfeld. At the end of three years Mr. Butler moved his business up to Carmansville, and Mr. Struck went with him and remained in his employ for ten or eleven years. While we lived in Carmansville we had four children born. Their names were Ann Eliza, Josephine, Martha and Edward. At the end of the time stated Mr. Struck left Mr. Butler’s em- ployment and obtained an appointment on the police force. This was at the time of the organiza- tion of the metropolitan police force of New York. Alter he had served on the force about six months one of the children, Josephine, was taken sick with the measles. She caught cold and this caused in- flammation of the bowels, which, after an iliness of two weeks, occasioned her death, at the age of twenty-two months, This occurred in the Spring, but I do not recollect the date, Dr. Mitchell at- tended her, Soon after MY HUSBAND WAS TRANSFERRED TO MANITATTAN- VILLE.’ He then moved his family there, and we went to live in 125th street. Then occurred 3 OUR FIRST THOUBLE. It came about in this way:—A man came up to Stratton’s Hotel, om the Bloomingdale soad, and made a disturbance in the barroom. He attacked the barkeeper with a knife, and immediately the cry of murder was raised, Just at this time the Manhattanville stage came along, and on board was @ detective, who heard the cry of murder, He rushed at once into the hotel; but, Onding he was powerless to accomplish anything, he asked for the assistance of @ policeman. There was none near and he endeavored to quiet the man by talking to him; but he could not succeed. The man appeared deranged. The detective struck him with a cane, but the man would not desist from bis donduct, ahd after he was struck he attacked the oMcer with a walle Go open drow & pistol and shot the man stage drove on and soon met MR. STRUCK, AND AS HE WAS A POLICEMAN the driver told him the circumstances about the killing of the man at the hotel. Mr. Struck started immediately for the hotel, and when he reached there he found that the man was dead. Word was sent to the Manhattanville police station and doc- tors were called in toexamine the dead man, A jury of inquest was called, and the doctors gave it as their opinion that the man was deranged, My husband afterwards reported the affair at headquar- ters, and soon after @ rumor prevalied that he would not arrest the man in the first place because he had a pistol to defend himself with. This was incorrect. Before the jary of inquest the em- ploy¢s of the hotel testified that Mr, Strack was at the place and WAS AFRAID TO GO IN. ‘The result was that he was discharged from the police force upon their testimony, as he had no witnesses to call in his favor except the stage driver, Then he had nothing to do and he became down-hearted and discouraged. Captain Hart told him that he was trying to get him on the force again. Matters stood in thie way for about three months, when Captain Hart sont for him and toia him that he had done his best and tnat he could not get him on again. Then he gave up and acted as if he did not care to get any work. He said he could not get work todo, and I went to see Mr. Butler, and he eaid he would take him back and pay him, even though he did not do more than half a day’s work, as he had always been a good work- man. I returned home and told my hus- band what Mr. Butter had said, and advised him to go and do the best he could, He re- fused to go, and finally went with me to Mr, Butier’s shop, when Mr. Butler said, “Mr. Struck, 1am glad you have come back to work; you can do the best you can and I wilt pay you well.” He worked for a fow duya and then stopped and stayed at bome, He was sent for several times, and finally Mr. Butler came down to see him, and Mr. Struck told him he would not go back again to work. Then my husband did nothing, but fretted all the time. Mr. Butler came again and coaxed him until he consented to go to work again. Then J used to go up to the shop witn him and keep him company for hours at his work. home and said he would not work any more, be- cause he was ASHAMED TO BE SEEN IN THE STREETS, as everybody was looking at him as if he was a coward. The next morning I could not get him out of bed, and he cold me that he should never go out of the heuse again. He would allow me to bring no one in to see him, and would allow none of the children in his room. I used to try to get the neighbors to come in and see him, but he would not notice any of them. A gentleman by the name of Olmstead, who he thought a great deal of, calleg to see him, but he would not-look at him or have anything to say to him. He would lay in bed seven or eight weeks at atime. I wanted him to have @ doctor, but he would not see one, He said he wanted to see one of his first wife's chil- dren, a daughter named Gertrude, who was mar- ried to a Mr. William Thompson, and 1 went down to New Yorm and brought her up to see him. When she came he would say very little to her. One of the neighbors was sick, and Gertrude, seeing the doctor seaving their house, called him in to see her father. The doctor asked him what was the matter, and if he was sick, and he said “NO, I AM NOT BICK.”” The doctor got him to take some medicine and left some for me to give him, but -he would not take it. He acted as though he was out of his mind, and finally he began to lose the use of his limps. He -could hardly use his hands and féet, One day he got to the bureau and took out a@ piatol and put it to his mouth and said, “Mammy” (this is the name he always called me), “if I should fire this of it would blow my head of.” I was frightened and took it away from him and put it back in the drawer. Then he wanted a razor, and I took it and the pisto) and locked them up, so that he could not find them. I got him back to his room, and then he got it in hia head that he was going to be arrested. One day I sent for Captain Hart to come and see him and try and quiet him. When the Captain came Mr. Struck would neither look at him or speak to him nor have anything to do with him. The Captain told him that he was OUT OF HI8 MIND, He advised me to have him sent to the lunatic asylum. Many others told me the same thing, and said if I did not do it he would do some of us injury. One night he got up and told me to bring him his clothes and shoes and said they were going to take bim away ip the morning. I quieted him by telling him that | nO one would harm him, for he had done nothing.” ‘ He kept getting _ worse, not dress or undress, and he ch2eed. time 8 great deal of trouble. He wanted me places for the children because I could nat take care of them. I told him I could take care of them and that he need not worry about them. One night he was acting very badly and I called in the Police Sergeant Mco— 1 have him quict him, PUT HM OUT OF THE Way. Sergeant Mc—— lived in the lower part of the house with us. He came in and talked with my husband for a while, and then he told me that Mr, Struck was out of his mind, and that hé would never be any better. He advised me to put him out of the way, as he would never be of any good tome or to himself again. I asked kim what he meant, and he told me to get a certain quantity of arsenic, and he told ‘me how much to give him, and where to get it, I thought of it for a few days. My husband at the time was getting worse and worse, and I was tempted to GO AND BUY THE ARSENIC, according to the instructions. Finally I wont to Harlem and purchased it ata druggist’s, and paid ten cents for it. Icame home and made some oat meal gruel, and put in it about half a thimble ful, of arsenic, and stirred it in well. Then I gave it to my husband to drink, and he drank of it several times during the afternoon, He was then taken sick with purging. I sent for Dr. Jackson, of Car- Mansville, and he came in the evening. He asked Mr. Struck how he felt, but he did not speak to him. I said, “Doctor, he is very sick.” The doctor staid a short time, and left with me two white powders, and told me to give them to him during the night. When the doctor went away I went with him to the door, and asked him if he thought Mr. Struck was very dangerous, and he said that he ‘was a very sick man, and that he thought he had softening of the brain and that he would never get well again, That night he was very bad, and I was up with him all thetime. Towards morning he be- gan to fail very fast, and about eight o'clock IN THE MORNING HE DIED. It was in May this occurred, and I continued to keep house. I had nothing to live upon, and I be- came discouraged. The children could do nothing for me or for themselves, The lst of July I moved into another house in the village. I had two littie children, Martha Ann, sx years old, and Edward, four years old. I tnought that I could not get along and support them, and I came to the conclusion that it would be better for them if they were out of the way. I thought the matter over for several days, I was much discouraged and downhearted. ‘THE SEOUND MURDER. I gave them only a little ata time, and after I gave it to them I was afraid they would die, and I sent for Dr. Oviatt. When he came he told me that they had the gastric fever, and he doctored them for a few days, Then 1 sent for Dr. Jackson. He told me that they were very sick, and he thought they would not live. Next morning x MARTHA ANN DIED, She was taken with vomiting soon after! gave her the arsenic, and was afflicted in that way until she died, The doctors said nothing to indicate that they knew what was the matter. EDWARD DIES ALSO. Edward was affected in the same manner. He was sick at the stomach and vomited frequently. In the evening Edward died. He was a beautiful boy, and did not complain during his iliness, He was very patient. The afternoon before he died my stepdaughter, Gertrude Thompson, came in to eee the children, and she spoke to him and said, “Eddy, why, are you sick 7” He said, “Yes,” ‘then she “said, “You win get better,” and he Said, “No, I shall never get well.” ‘The doctors had no suspicions in this case either, and I did not hear of a1 a Icontfhued to keep house, and had with me four children at the time. 1 got work by nursing and sewing. At this time my son, George Whitfield, ‘was fourteen years old. He was employed im painting by a man, and was able to carn $2 60a week. In the latter part of the Summer, I think in August, he was taken sick, and I sent for Dr. Oviatt. He called to see him, and said he was sick with the painter’s colic, and be could not work at the painting business any longer. He did not im- prove, ond as he was continually growing worse I got discouraged. I thought he would become a burden upon me, and I mixed ap some ARSENIC IN HIS TRA, Ithink he died the next day. He was afflicted Ike the others, but during all the time the doctor thought he had the painter’s colic, and that he died ef it, Igave him the arsenic because I was discouraged, I know now that that is not much of an excuse, but I felt ao much trouble that I did not think about that, YIFTB MURDER. After the burial ot George I went to Dr. Oviatt’s, and he recommended me to places to do nursing, and I went out to this work ali tne time. I left Ann Eliza home part of the time, and Lydia staid at home a portion of the time, She was at work ina dry goods store in Harlem, and was at this time cighteen yearé old. She boarded with me, and it was se far for her to walk that she could not stand it, and gave itup. Then she got a situason to do work on Donnet frames sent from Now York, and we worked at home together, A young man named John Smith kept company with Lydia at this time and called upon her quite often, le got so he could at this AKNE BLIZA QUIETLY DOZED, My little daughter, Ann Eliza, was with me, and I thought iff eouid get rid of her that Lydia ana myself could make a living, This was in March; 1 One day he came. ger |. do not remember the date. We had hada hard Winter. I had no one toleave her with. Iwas discouraged. She had been unwell with chills and fever, and was continually sick from time to time. Iwas downhearted and much discouraged. I had some of the arsenic in the house I purchased in Har- lem, and I got some medicine for her at the drug- gist’s and mixed some of the arsenic in it and gave ittoher. I think I gave it to her twice. She was taken sick as the others were. She was sick four days. I sent for Dr. Rosenstein, and he attended her. He eaid she bad a lever, SHE DIED. ABOUT NOON, and was the happiest child I ever saw. Mr. Edward Rayson was continually at her bedside until her death. The arsenic I used at all these times was part of that I got at Harlem for my husband, I did not buy any but once, LYDIA DIED A NATURAL DEATH. T continued te keep house until May, going out as ‘usual to do nursing. In May Lydia went down to New York with work on one Friday and stayed at her step-sister’s until Saturday afternoon, I was expecting her all Saturday morning, as I did not expect that she would remain away over nignt, and I telegraphed for her on Saturday forenoon, but before I received an answer she came home. ‘When she came she was quite sick with a feverand she went immediately to bed. I went to the drug- gist around the corner from where I lived and he gave me some medicine to give to her, She was very sick all Saturday night and I had to sit up witBher, On Sunday morning she was no better and I'sent for Dr. Rosenstein, When he came he wanted to know where she had been and I told him. He said he thought she had the typhoid fe. ver, She was very sick all that day, and in the afternoon she wanted tosee Rev. Mr. Payson. She ‘was @ member of nis church and a teacher in the Sabbath school, Mr. Payson came in the afternoon and remained with her till quite late in the even- ing. The next evening he came again, early, and he remained with her the most of the time during her sickness. He gave her all her medicines and took the sole charge of her. The doctor came twice a day, but she sank and grew worse all the while. The doctor attended her about two weeks, when I be- came dissatisfied with hie treatment and sent for Dr. Fleet, Lydia’s step-brother brought bim up from the city. When he arrived I sent for Dr. Rosenstein, and the two held 9 consultation to- gether, after which Dr, Fleet said that Dr. Rosen- stein was doing everything that could be done, and that we must follow his directions, Whenever the prescriptions were left Mr. Payson took them and Progured the medicine. She continued to grow worse. Everything was done for her that we could do, but it was all of no avail. She continued to fall for twenty-one days, and at the end of that time, on a Saturday night, she died. 1 never gave this daughter anything except what thé dogtor ordered me to. She died a natural death. 4_LOBING VENTURE. Ai the time of ¥ Lydia’s death my son John was at work in the city witha butcher. He used to help me all he could unti) the children died, and then | told him to keep his wages and support him- self, as I was alone in the world and could take care of myself. I remained housekeeping and the doctors recommended me a6 an excellent nurée. I continued to be employed as nurse until the fol- Jowing April when ®@ family named Maxom, who were Golng Sut to Penbsyivania, wanted me to go with them, and my son John also; they wanted that he should work on the farm they were going to take and myself to live in their family. They said they were going to a place called Sailorsville, Pa., and that if I would go they would pay us both well, Finally we went out with them; but upon arriving we did not like the place, and MR. MAXOM DID NOT DO AS HE PROMISED, We remained, however, from the 18th of Apri! ‘until the 9th of September and worked very hard. We then determined to stay no longer, and at length I got Mr. Maxom to give us moncy enough to get back to New York; but I was obliged to Jeave all the furniture, which Mr. Maxom promised to send to me when I wanted it, I wrote fre- quently for it, and he always replied that he would Duy it, and then I wrote for the money and he sent: back one feather bed. J wrote again asking him to send the pay little by litte, and he wrote back that I need send no more, a8 he would pay me when he came to New York. Ihave never heard from him since, IN A BEWIN@ MACHINE STORE. ‘When 1 came back I went to my husband's daughter, Mra. Thompson’s, and Jonn went to work again for Mr. Hall, the batcher, who keeps a mar- ket, or aid then, at the corner oj Thirty-fourth street and Third avenue. I finally got a situation in a sewing machine establishment in Canal street, Ido not remember the number. It was kept bya Mr. Cochran, It was my basiness to show goods to customers, run & machine and explain how it was worked to those who called to examine it. When any one purchased a machine I had to teach them how to work it. Mr. Cochran was absent from the store frequently, and then! had the full manage- ment of the business, I was in fact helper and clerk, While working at this place I felt good and enjoyed my occupation. I bad nothing to fret or trouble me, MRS. CURTIGS’ HOUSEKKEPER, While I was at this store I became acquainted with Mr, James Curtiss. He was there one day and asked me what I was going to do when Ileft and Mr, Cochran shut up his store, I told him I thought I should go back to New Brunswick to my friends. He asked me if J would not like to go to Stratford, Conn.,, to live. 1 told him I thought I should like it very much. He told me that he bad an aged mother living there who was very helpless, and that he wanted some one to take care of her and keep house, and that he thought! would be just whe one for the piace. I asked him how mach of a family there was and he said no one but herself, I consented to go, I was to have eight dollars per month. Mr. Curtiss gave me directions where to go, ashe could not go up with me at that time, and I went up and arrived in Stratford in the even- ing and @ hackman took me to the house. I had a letter to give to Mrs, Curtiss, and she was very mach pleased to see me. I stayed with her eight months, and got along nicely. Mr. Cartiss came up every Saturday evening and returned Monday morning. His family lived in New York; but he spent the Sabbath with his mother. After living there eight months, one day, when I went to Mr. John Faircnild’s grocery store to get groceries, he asked me how I would ljke to keep house for a man who had just lost his wife. HUSBAND NO. 2, I told him that I did mot know—that I had not thought of leaving the place where I was and that I did not like to leave Mrs. Curtiss, Then I asked him who the man was and he told me that he was an old man who lived up ia Coram, in Huntington He said that he thought it would be the best thing J could do te go and hire with him, as he was well off and would make me a good home, I told him 1 would think of it. Mr, Huriburt (the man re- ferred to) came down to Stratford in a few days to see Mr. Fairchild. He said to him, “John, I think I shall sell my place.” Mr. Fairchild said, “No, Hurl- burt, get some woman to keep house for you,” Huribart said ‘Yes, but where can I get @ good woman?” Fairchild said, “I thiak I know of one; I will see.” In @ few days Mr. Hurlbart came down again and Mr. Fairchild told him he had seen me and he gave me a good name and sent him to me. He called at the house, and asked if I was the woman Mr. Fairchild spoke to him about. I told him I was, and he said that he would be down ina few daysand see me again. During this time I went to see Mr. Fairchild, and have # talk with him. He told me that it would be 9 good place for me, and that! had better go. Itold himI would not go till I had seen the place, as he was a sjranger tome, WhenMr. Hurlburt came down he took me up to see the place, and then we made a bargain that Ishould keep house for him. I did not name the price. Mr. Hurlburt told me he thought he had enough to keep us, and if I did well by him he would do well by me. I stayed two weeks with Mrs. Curtiss, and during that- time Mr. Huriburt was down three times. Mrs, Curtiss did not like togive me up, and she told me if 1 did not like the place to come back to her. Mr. Hurlburt came for me and took me home with him. I was there only s few days when he wanted me to marry him, He told me that if I would marry him ail that he wae worth should be mine, NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. On the 22d of November, 1868, we went to Hunting- ton, and were married by Rev. Mr. Morton. We went to church and after service we went to Mr. Morton’s house and were married. Everything Went along happily for fourteen months, A SHAKY TONSORIAL OPERATION. One Sunday morning we got up and were going to church, I commenced to shave him, as I slways shaved him two or three times & week, on account of his hands trembling, so that he could not shave himself. Then he was taken with disziness, and said he would go out and feed the horse, and he might feel better. He came back and I commenced to shave him again, when I saw that he felt bad, and! thought We would not go tochureh. He had three of those @izzy times during the forenoon. I thought he ‘was going to have a sick turn. He had two or three turns when we had been married about three months, When he had one of these bad spells he made his will, er rather Mr. William Bennett made itfor him, This happened some time before Mr. Hariburt was taken aick the last time, He continued quite feeble but he splita little wood and said he thought he would try and work it off, He was quite anxious to do what he had to do. Monday evening one of the neighbors gave him some clams and I cooked some for supper, and after supper he said he wanted a glass of cider. I told him that he had better not drink it after he had been eating clams. He took a pitcher and went down the cellar and drew some, and he wanted me to have some, but I told him no, and did not drink it, He said he would take some with saleratus in tt, and he went invo the pantry and fixed it. That night he wasin great distress all night. On Tuesday morning he got up and went into the pantry, but {do not know what he too, He was in the habit of TAKING HI8 BITTRRS IN THE MORNING. He was sick ail of that day, and he did not do anything, I asked him in the afternooon if he did not think he ought to have @ doctor. He said, “No,” and that he would be better. That night he took another glass of cider. Whether he put any- thing in it or not Ido not know. To my knowledge he never took anything wrong; but Mr. Hurlburt awhile before this asked Mr. Henry Northrop to get him some arsenic, as he had some rats about the house, andI think that his (Northrop’s) wife ob- Jected to his getting 1t, and I don’t know whether there was any in the house or not. Mr. Uurlburt used saleratae in his cider, and I remember of having two papers that I supposed to be saclratus, but they both may not have contained it, I think 80 for this reason, and I should say that this hap- pened some time before Mr. Hurlburt was taken sick:—My son, John Struck, was up on @ visit to my house. Mr. Hurlburt and John and myself were going out to spend an evening at Mr, Charles Tom, linson’s; but before we went Mr. Hurlburt and John took a drink of liquor, My husband asked me to have some, andI said “No, {don’t want any;” but that I would take some cider, and he put seme saleratug fhe cider and gave it to me to drink, and J drank it.” SHE TAKES A LITTLE HERSELF. Then we started for Mr. Tomlinson’s to spend the evening. I think I never felt better than I ald be- fore I drank the cider. We had not got far from our house when I began to be dizzy and I had to stand still until 1 got over it, We went in to Mr. Tomlinson’s and I was taken sick with vomiting, and I bécime so sick that they took me home. I ‘was very sick for about three hours, vomiting all the time, I finally got easy and went to sleep and in the morning I felt better, On this Tuesday night MR. HURLBURT WAS VERY BAD, and I was up with him all night. Wednesday morn- ing he wanted tohave a doctor. Mr. Edwin Wake- lee and Mr. Sidney Blakeman came down with & team, with which they were going into the woods to get wood. I went out and asked them if they would come in, as Mr. Hurlburt wanted to see them. They came in and asked Mr, Hurlburt what was the matter. He said he was very sick. They asked him if he would like ® doctor, and he said he would. They said they were going to take a load of wood to Birming- ham, and they would see a doctor and send him down. They went away, and Mr. Thomas went to Derby ana saw Dr. Pinney, but he could not come. He said that if Mr. Hurfburt was down again he would never get up, ashe was aneld man. They went to see Dr. Beardsley, and he was not at home, and they did not know when he would be at home. Then they went and got Dr. Shelton, of Hunting- ton. He was not at home when they called, and they left word for bim to come as soon as he got back. 0B LAST OF THE OLD MAN. He was away from home all day, and did not get down to the houge until twelve o’ciock that night. I told bim that Mr. Hurlburt was very sics ana had been looking for him all day. He said he was very sorry, and asked Mr. Hurlburt what was the mat- ter, and my hasband said he was very sick. He said he had not taken anything but cider and clams. The doctor stayed with him until two o’clock that night, and gave him medicine and left some with me to give him. He said he would stay longer, but that he was up the night before and he had some patients waiting for nim. I asked him if he wouid come down in the morning, and he said he would before he went anywhere else. Mr. furt- burt kept growing worse ail that night. The doc, tor came down the next morning about ten, and found Mr. Hurlburt much worse, I asked nim if he thought him dangerous, and he said he was a very sick man, and that if he had any friends I had better send for them. The doctor said tha. he had done ail he could for him, and that if I WANTED ANOTHER DOCTOR Ihad better send for one. I told him I did not know who to send for as I had sent for two already and they did not come. Tasked him if he would come again, ‘and he said’he would, if I wished to have him, I told him by all means to come again as soon as he coum. Mr. Hurlburt grew worse through the day, and along about two o'clock he was taken with a sinking turn. Then some of the neighbors came in and the doctor came about five o'clock. Mr. Huriburt died shortly after the doctor came, Now I wish to say that I never gave Mr. Hurlburt anything to my knowledge that would cause any sickness whatever. There may have been arsenic in one of the papers that I put to gether, but if there was! did not know it, I staid there after he was buried, and shortly after my brother and sister sent for me to come down to New Brunswick to live. They thought it would be better for me to come there with them, but I could Not go, for 1 had my business to settle and J wanted to nell the place, _ “WANTED CARR POR A BABY. About two months after my husband’s death Mr. William Thomas ased to bring me my letters from Birmingham, he being one of our neighbors and I living #0 far from the village. He came in one day and brought me # paper and asked me how 1 would like to take @ little baby to board. He said there was s man (Horatio N. sherman) in Birmin who had lost his wife, and she had left hima baby which was sick. Mr. Thomas said that Mr. Sherman asked him if he knew of any one who would take it, and if he did to let him know, and “ when I got home,” said Mr. ‘Thomas, ‘I was speaking to my wife about it, and she said that Mrs. Hurlburt, she thought, woud like it, as it would be company for her, and she wished you would take it.” Itold him I did not know where I could get milk from one cow, as it ‘was necessary for the child to bave it, and he said Mr. Wakelee had plenty of cows, and as he was one of the neighbors, I could get him to furnish me ‘with it, Itold him that I would rather see Mr. Sherman myself and then I could make a, bargain with him, He said thathe should be in Birming- ham in a few days and he would send him down. FIRST MERTING WITH HORATIO, On Sunday morning Mr. Sherman eame down to my house. This was the first time I had ever seen him, When he came ini did not know him, and he asked me if 1 wae Mrs. Hurlburt, I seid, ‘Yes, sir.” He said, ‘1 am Mr, Sherman,” and I said, “1 sup- pose you are the man Mr, Thomas spoke to me about,’” He replied, “Yes,” and I said, “Come in, Mr. Sherman.” I said, ‘Mr, Thomas told me you wanted some one to take your babe to board,” He said, “Yes, I got some ono who exvected to do it,” and then he said, “but I have anothe: object in view. I want to get & housekeeper, my mother-in-law 1s at my house, and my daughte' Ada cannot get along with her on account of the old lady being queer and finding a great deal of fault with Ada, He then asked me tf I could not come and keep house for him, I told him I did not know, as1 my house and things to care for, and I could nog break up housekeeping. I said I would thin about it. He told me if I wanted to get my thin: stored he would get me a place, and it would not cost me anything, I told him I would wait awhile/ He came again in two weexs and asked me what E had made up my mind todo. I told him Idid now know what to do, that I could not make up my. mind. He sald that if L would come he would ba” willing to marry me. I told him that before I wend I thought we ought to become better acquainted, ad we were both strangers to each other. He said that he must have some one, as he could not hava, the old woman in the house, on account of hex making @ disturbance all the time, MATRIMONIAL TALK, He then went away and I did not see him for three or four weeks. Then he called and agaim asked me if I would marry him. I did not them fully give my consent. He told me that if I wante to sell my place he knew a man who would buy 1 and that he would bring him down. In about two weeks he came with two brothers, George an Henry Taylor. They looked at the place and likea{ it very much. George Taylor said ne would like ta have it, and I told him I would rent it to ni After this occasion Mr, Sherman came down quit often. Finally, om the ist of July, George Tay’ hired the farm and moved his family into the house. remained and boarded with them. On the 7th of July Mr. Sherman came down and asked me ta také a walk with nim, and we went out and too! @ long walk. He told me he had an interest the business where he worked, of about six hun; dred dollars, and that he could earn from $175 ta $200 a month. He also stated that he was in deb: about four hundred dollars and that he had had @ great deal of sickness 1n his family; he had lost ac brother a short time before, and that it cost niny over one hundred dollars a year to help his mother, who had to live alone and had no one to help her, but her boys, His daughter, he said, was taking lessons on the piano, so that his expenses wera: very heavy. He said that if he conld get money ta pay his debts he thought he could get along. I tola him I felt sorry for him, and that I though! him a perfect gentleman, and that I would let him have monéy to pay off his debts. He thanked mq and said he could be agentieman If he could wien squared up once moré,” LOVE AND MONEY. I told him I would go the next day to Ba port and draw the money out of the savings bank, and he could come down in the evening, and would let him have it. Up to this time he haw never been to see me in the evening. He had ale ways come in the afternoon and leit before nights The next evening he came down and brought hie daughter Ada and his son Nattie (Nathaniel). 5 let him have $300, and told him I wanted him to, make good use of it and pay his debts. He sald ha would, After that when he came down he brought one of the children with him and sometimes both- On one visit he left his daughter Ada with me, and she stayed a week. She said she would not rid home again until I went with her; that the baby, Franky, was very sick, and she wanted me to go home with her, because she was afraid the baby was going to die. She said she would’ not go unless I went; but I could not go, and & persuaded her to return home. Ina few days she ran away and walked over to my place—three miles—and when her father came home at night and did not find her he came over to my house an@ found her there. Her father and myself persuaded! her to go back, and she finally returned with her father, A TRIP TO NEW BRUNSWICK. ‘The next time Mr. Sherman came I told him 2 was going to New Brunswick to visit my friends. He said he would like to go and take Aaa. I told him I would be pleaged to have him go. In a few daye we all wont, and Mr. Sherman stayed a couple of days at my brother’s. Then he returned to hig home and left Ada and me in New Brunswick. We stayed a few days and then we came back, and Mr.! Bherman met us, with a hack, at the depot and took wato his house. The old lady treated me very kindly. I remained there over night, and Mr. Sherman took me home. In a8 few days Mr. Sher« man came down and wanted me to come and stay, at his house, as the child was very sick and it took all the time of his mo‘her-in-law to take care of it. Itola him I would go and stay for a while and & went over there. A few days after he and I went to Bridgeport. This was in July, 1870. I drew ous of the bank $300 more and gave it to him, as ha said he wanted to pay the rest of his debts and gev some clothes for himself. I remained at his house for two weeks. Then ue said that as soon aa Franky got @littie better he would take Ada and we would go to his sister's, in Massachusetts, and get married. Franky was so sick we did not go until about two weeks after. HUSBAND XO. 3. On the 24 of September, 1870, we went to his sis» ter’s, in Bridgewater, Mass., and were married. We stayed there abont two weeks, Ada was with us, and when we left to go home we left her thera to goto school. She stayed there ten weeks and Isent money to pay for her schooling. Then she came back and I met her in New Haven and car- ried her home. She had been home about a week when Mr. Sherman and the old lady had some trouble. 1t was about his owing her $78 op # piana and she wanted her pay. One day Mr. Sherman said he wished Frank would die, and that if he waa dead the old woman should not stay another day in the house. LITTLE TRANKY MURDERED. I was full of trouble, and, not knowing what to do, I was tempted to give iim (Franky) something to get him out of the way, for I thought he would be better off. They had arsenic in the house. The old lady had used it before to poison rats with, 2 put some of it in some milk, and only gave it to him once. He being quite feeble he began to ba sick at the stomach and to vomit. Dr. Beardsicy! ‘was sent for, and when he came he said he had never thought the child out of danger, although hq was better. This was in the forenoon. He gave him something to settle his stomach, and came again in the evening and found him sinking very, fast, He said he could not live much longer. He died that night, about eleven o’clock. This was om November 15, 1870. THB OLD WOMAN PAID ovT, Instead of making matters any better everything grew worse. The old lady said she was going to leave, but that she would not do so until she had received the money due on the piano. Mr. Sher- man said he did not have it, but that as soon as he got it he would pay her. One dayI was in tho kitchen, and 1 heard a great noise in the sitting room. I went up to see what was the trouble. Tha old lady and Mr. Sherman jawed so much that the neighbors heard them. Mr. Sherman went up stairs, and I went up and asked him what the trouble was. He said the old lady was “mussy", about the piano. Itold him she must have the money, as I could not live so. About this time: Henry Tayler bought my place for $1,100, and paid $300 down, and I gave Mr. Sherman $100 and told him to pay her. He paid her and left, SICKNESS AND DRUNEENNESS, Mr. Sherman was drinking all the time and was not doing any work, and I supported the family for, about six months. During this time the old billie came in and Ihad them to pay. I found that Mr. Sherman hed not paid many of his bills, and I paid’ about three hundred dollars out besides keeping the family. Then came Christmas time, and Ada devoted ® great deal of time in trimming the chureh and for Christmas. -I furnished her with all her clothes and paid her per bills, 1 made her s Christmas present, and Ne (herman) iso received presents from me. One Christmas Eve ® young lady, Katy, Hill, came to stay with Ada, Just before dark they went down street and bought: some confectionery. They came back, and had not been in the house but a little while ‘when little Nattie came in and said that Ada was sick, I went in and —— her quite sick, lasked CONTINUED ON ‘ON TENTH PAGE,