The New York Herald Newspaper, February 11, 1879, Page 8

a 8 “THE SCHULTE MURDER. cxsecoesemiaeiiineie Conclusion of the Investigation at South Norwalk. VERDICT OF THE CORONER'S JURY. Buchholtz Held on the Charge of “Guilty Knowledge.” INTERESTING LETTERS FROM GERMANY. Sourn Norwa.x, Conn., Feb. 10, 1879, After weeks of careful research and investigation the jury which was empanelied on the 28th of De- comber last to ascertain all the circumstances and in- cidents surrounding the brutal murder of the ‘wealthy miser Schulte have at last finished their labors by declaring that Buchholtz, the servant, is eognizant of all the facts connected with this crime. At the opening of this morning's session Mr. Charles F. Bollman, of New Haven, the prisoner's counsel, who had previously insisted upon his right to actively represent his client, even before a coroner's jury, produced acopy of the New York Henatp of January 26, showing that in the case of Madden, the murdered sailor, the accused (Smith) was represented ‘Dy three lawyers. The report showed, he contended, that thoy were permitted 1o make prefatory re- marks to the jury before evidence was taken; that they were there throughout. the inquest and were enabled to guard the interests of their client. Furthermore, after the verdict had ‘Deen rendered they caused the jury to change the phrascology of their verdict. He desired to know ‘whether this was one of the precedents upon which the State’s Attorney relied for insisting that pris- oner’s counsel had no rights which the prosecution ‘was bound to respect. The State’s Attorney—These three New York law- ers must have run away with that coroner's jury. Mr. Bollman—That is just what you are trying to @o in this case. BLOODY FOOTPRINTS IN SCHULTE’S PARLOR, The examination of witnesses being resumed, Mr. Alanson Allen, a neighbor of the murdered man, was recalled. He testified that on the night of the mur- der, when coming back from the woods, being ac- companied by Mr. Dingee, Buchholtz, Samuel Waring and his grandsou, they walked along the footpath to Schulte’s house; while near the stone wall they found a bundle; Buchholtz or Waring picked it up; ‘witness asked what it was, when he was told that it ‘was their property; Buchholtz took the bundle and Placed it on the steps in the rear of Schulte’s house; witness returned to his own house, and after the apse of some time returned to Schulte’s house, accom- panied only by his grandson; Mrs. Waring (the house- keeper) showed witness some blood stains on the floor; ‘they were in the form of a footprint; witness was sure he saw a clear footprint of bloody “stains; Buchholtz had then gone with others to Norwalk to notify the authorities, but had not yet returned (he had been at home, however]. When witness was near ‘the body at the place in the woods where the murder had been committed, he himself stepped into a pool of blood, but did not believe that the footprints in the house came from him; these bloody footprints led from the door to the middle of the room; witness also, by the light of his lantern, saw blood stains of the size of ten cent pieces on the stone wall before the body was carried home; when in the Schulte house witness had a conversation with Mrs. Warin, in regurd to the bundle picked up by Buchholtz an left on the back steps; the bundle smelled us if it contained hams, It will be remembered that the murdered man is known to have bought in New York that atternoon three bottles of Rhine wine and two hams or shoul- ders—the wine was in satchel and the hams were packed up ina paper bundie. The authorities here sppeur to be at a loss to know where Schulte pur- + chased these things, notwithstanding the fact that they have instituted careful inquiries in regard to this peculiar incident, which seems to have caused considerable delay during hia stay in New York that afternoon. LETTERS RECEIVED FROM GERMANY. After Mr. Allen's testimony had been concluded the state's Attorney called Mr. Charles Illing on the stand, the young man who, at the outset of the in- yestigation, caused considerable sensation in New York by his over-zealous attempt to secure the at- tendance of Mrs. Kohe. It was claimed in Norwalk to-day, however, that though Liling might have been indiscreet in New York at the time, he has done more toward unravelling the mysteries connected with this case than all the other detectives officially em- ployed by the State, Mr. Illing laid before the jury @ letter (written in German) received by Buchholtz from his sister. It will be remembered that the pris- over claims to have received $250 from his sister ince his arrival in this country, thus accounting, as he stated, for the large amount of money in his pos- session. The following translation of the letter trom this sister read before the jury to-day throws some light on this subject:— My Deag Buotuxe—After long waiting wo received your ind letter, and are happy to know that you arrived safely jn New York. We have always continued to think of you, often with toars and sighs. Nota day has passed but wo said, “Where can William be now ?” It is, indeed, a sad o: Petignee to be separated in this manner, but It cannot echauged. We must be satintied with our fat. We will Bot lose courage, however. Who knows but it may be for the bess of your interests? Have confidence in God and he ‘will protect you. We cannot, | am sorry to say, comply with your request forend you money. Wa would hay e told you so.by telegraph, Dut that would have been too expensive. We ‘written to our uncle about it, but have received a answer from Julius. What will you do now? that is the question. Cam you ot find something to occupy yourselt with in New York gill the yellow fever has entirely abated in the South ou o It [could 1 would help you. would also Berthold; but, unfortunately, we are hot ina position to do it, I would do it at once, and su here writes about tamily affairs, and i, soving ber brother on a gran with tropical tru d flowers. | rf utmost to get along. into the ha (The write: ream h Trast wen of r, JOHANNAL. After the feading of the above letter, which was readily translated tor the information of the jury by Mr. Konig, a representative of the German press in x Your loving New York, Mr. Uling submitted another letter written by one Dorothea Karye, who informs Buch- holtz that she has given birth toa child which resem Dies him considerably. ‘The letter is full of endear- dng terms and overtlowing with aflection for the these letters were taken by Officer Berger Out of Buchholtz’s trunk in Behulte’s home at Roton Hill, and, at the conclumon of their reading the State's Attorney auuounced that he had no more tes- timony to offer, Coroner Craw then instructed the jury té carefully go over all the evidence, deliberate ‘Without passiou, and he would be in readiness during the afternoon to receive their verdict. ‘ ANOTHER CONTES! BRIWEEN COUNSEL, Just as the jury were about w withdraw Mr. Ran- Gall C, Sunith, one of the counsel for the defence, de- juanded the right to be present in the jury room, in wo tar as he suw that the State's Attorney was to be ou haud. Mr. Olmstead—I have been invited by the jury to be prese:t and assist them in their deliberations, Mr. Smith—This is a most unusual proceeding. This man, Buchboitz, has been arrested on a bench warrant, even before the jury has rendered a verdict. | ‘be usual way is for a jury to hand in their evidence to the State's Attorney, WhO can then act upon it; butin this case the State's Attorney has caused the arrest of Buchhoitz, and he has not even had a preliminary iuation. His hands are tied, as he has been ed up in Bridgeport. His mouth is gagged, be- ‘cause he is a stranger in the land and does not speak the English language. It is evident to me that the State's Attorney is determined to convict this man of «crime that is certain death to him. All Leome here for is to sve that this foreigner shall have fair play and be protected while vn our soil by the broad Mantle of justice; that is all we ask, | Mr. Vimstead—I did uot ask to be present at the | deliberations of the jury; 1 was only requested to be ou hand. The toreman of the jury here announced, through | Coroner Craw, that the jury had uetermined to get along without the presence of the State’s Attorney, | thus excluding the prosecution as well as the de: | fence from their deliberations. EXCITED GERMANS, | While the jury were out several groups of persons, among Whom Were numerous excited Germuns, in | sisted that Buchholtz was quite innocent, » New | York Touton remarking that he knew that Buchholts | | would on his trial be able to prove an alibi. Then | gyain it was stated that a German saloon keeper had disappeared from New York the day after } murder, ana that the 4d mination to pi deh Buchholtz for ao ie evidently © mitted by partics as yet unknown would be resi: with all the legal lore that vould be obtained in outside of Connecticut, It came out incidentally dur- Ang these excited discussions that, notwithstanding ali the precautions tuken by the State s attorney, the prisoner has been visited in jail during the past two ‘weeks by several of his Norwalk triends, who ha kept bim well posted us to the progress of the pro- | coedings. What occasioned most comment, how- | ever, the singular manner in which trom Scliuite’s brother, received | for the German | Consul in New York, had been addressed, Whou the mows of the murder first reached Germany the Con- NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY HU, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. sul General received at his office, in good order, a Jengthy cable despatch direct from Frederick Wil- hel ulte, at Grossen Holthausen, The letter ge received was addressed to the Consul at Sohth jorwalk, instead of New York, but it was at once transmitted by Postmaster Dunning to New York, the Consal acknowledging receipt of the same by re- turn ma: THE VERDICT, It was near four o’clock when the jury announced that they hud agreed upon a verdict. It is conceived in the following terms :— Fawfield County, 38., Norwaik.—The undersigned jurors, being duly empanelled and sworn to inquire of the cause and manuer of the death of Johann Hein- rich Schulte, whose death was sudden and untimely, and the cause and manner of which wus unknown, baring. viewed the body of said deceased and cousid- ered the evidence given to us, do on our oaths sa) that said Johann Heinrich Schulte came to his deat! at said town of Norwalk, on the 2ith day of De- cember, A. D. 1878, by two separate ‘wounds on the head, each of said wounds penetrating the brain, inflicted with some unknown instrument in the hands of some a OF ons known to Will- iam Buchholz, and we do find that said William Buchholz has’ a guilty knowledge of said crime, whereof we subscribe our names, Dated at Norwalk, the 10th day of February, A. D. 1879, GEORGE C. STITTSON, Foreman, CHARLES T, CRAW, Clerk, FRANKLIN A. TOLLES, (782088. EDWARD BURGER, THE LETTER FROM SCHULTE’S BROTHER. Upon inquiry at the office of the German Consul General Schumacher it, was ascertained that he had received a letter from Frederick William Schulte in auswer to a cable despatch that he sent announcing the murder of his brother, the late J. H. Schulte. There is nothing in the letter that throws any particular light on the murder, and atter asking for a certificate of the death of his brother the writer states that J. H. Schulte probably had with him bonds and other securities to the value of about $50,000. The letter was some time getting to the Consul General, as it was ad- dressed, ‘‘Mister Mayor Schuman ‘The Consul partially explains the faulty address, as he under- stood that the Mayor of Norwalk had also telegraphed for instructions and the brother evidently got con- fused and mixed up the two 8. BLAIR COURT MARTIAL, THE ACCUSED CAPTAIN ARRAIGNED AT GOVER- NOR'S ISLAND—A STAY OF PROCEEDINGS OB- TAINED, The general court martial detailed on the 20th of last January by the Adjutant General of the Army, for the trial of Captain Thomas Blair, Fifteenth in- fantry, United States Army, assembled yesterday in Fort Columbus, Governor's Island, Mujor D. G. Swayne, who had been ordered to act as Judge Advo- cate, and who was absent on account of illness on pre- vious days set for the trial, appeared yesterday in his place before the court. The following is the detail for the tribunal:—Lieutenant Colonel R. B, Ayres, Third artillery; Lieutenant Colonel A. D. Neilson, ‘Twelfth infantry; Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Bannan, First artillery; Major G. A. De Russey, Third artil- lery; Major O. L, Best, First artillery; Major Richard Arnold, Fifth artillery; Major John Mendevhall, First artillery; Captain J. 8. Wharton, Nineteenth infantry, A.D. C.; Captain William Sinclair, Third artillery; Major D. G, Swaine, Judge Advocate, ‘The accused officer entered the room in charge of the officer of the day und in the strict undress uniform of his rank. The court was sworn by Major Swayne, and he in turn, as Judge Advocate, took the oath as ad- ministered to him by the President, Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Ayres, The charge was read and the prisoner arraigned, The charge was that of conduct ‘unbecoming an officerand a gentleman and contained two specifications. The first was that ‘the wccused did, while living under the uname of Thomas Nicoll, marry a certain woman at Glasgow, Scotland, on the 2 of February, 1861, and that while his said wife was still alive he marricd Mrs. M. Granger last fall, and thus committed the crime of bigamy.” The second specification charged the pris- oner with having, ‘on the 18th of September, 1878, written a paper purporting to be aspecial order from the War Department in Washington, signed with the name of W. H. Hubbly, whereby 1t appeared that he had been disc! ed trom the military service of the United States.” , the specification charged, the accused had done in order to deceive his wite in Scotland, to give her @ wrong Ug onmea as to his whereabouts and enable him the better’ to curry out his design to marry the widow of his late com- mander, General Gordon Granger. * The prisoner obtained permission for General Martin T. McMahon and Mr. Sheppard to act as his counsel. Thereupon counsel moved for two days’ time to enable their client to plead, basing their ap- plication upon the fact that the copy of the charges turni was not signed by any one, and that it would be necessary to know who preferred them. The Judge Advocate, in reply, said the papers in his proesmeton had been ‘received front the “State ‘partment, and prepared from them. The defence took the ground that as the charges were not signed, and if they were pre- ferred by the General commanding the army, that commander could yot appesr to prosecute in a court of his own creation. Under these circum- stances counsel asked for a stay of Seeemeningy which was granted till to-day at eleven o’clock A, M., after which the Court sdjourned, The record of Captain Blair's #ervice iz United States army is said to be excellent. 1865, at the close of the war, he came to this country and en- listed as a private in the Battalion of Engineers, and by soldierly qualities, attention to duty and diligent study he attained his present rank. DEATH FROM A FRACTURED SKULL. An inquest was held yesterday in the case of Pat- rick Carolan, of No. 169 Hudson street, who died at Chambers Street Hospital of a fractured skull. Tne deceased and a companion, named James Sherry, had been carousing in @ liquor store at Hudson and Laight streets. Subsequently they quarrelled and had a rough and tumble encounter on the sidewalk, wherein Sherry was thrown several times and had his ankle sprained. The men were separated and deceased went in the direction ot his residence. Later on he was found by ® man named Carr on the street in an unconscious condition. He was removed tothe hospital last Monday week and died the following Wednesday. Carr and Sherry were arrested, but were liberated on their own recog- nizance, A verdict was rendered to the effect that de- ceased came to his death from a fractured skull, but in what manner received was to the jury unknown, THE FIREMEN’S DEFENCE. The Board of Fire Commissioners resumed their investigation into the cause of the Grand street and Worth street fires yesterday. Chief King, of the third battalion, described how the various companies in his command were placed at the Grand street fire; he had seen no covering on the goods on the second floor; the fire spread so rapidly that it was necessary to withdraw the men, as it was useless as well as on gui to keep them at the stations assigned them; he could not sa what part of the building the fire had origi- nated in; the men were promptly on hand and obeyed all orders; the fire had not been discovered in time to save the Lp ar je or building; nes had gained too much headway, and it was ible to combat them; there was no delay, in sanding. out or receiving the alarms. Captain Ray, of Engine Company No. 20, deposed that when he reached the fire the fourth and fifth floors were in @ biaze; the men attempted to reach the fourth ‘floor, but were driven back; the intense hest interfered in preventing the continuing at their labors; there were no covers on the goods, and at the time he had reached the building it was impossible to protect the goods in any manner, the heat was so in- tense and the flames were so fierce: the apparatus and the men were in excellent condition, aud they did all they could to save the building and the goods. Other testimony of @ similar nature was given, after which the Board adjourned until 10 o’cl: this morning. FRIENDS IN NEED. ‘The attention drawn in yesterday's Henatp to the pitiable condition of the Stewart family, at No. 30 Broome street, has been instrumental in doing these poor people much good, A letter containing $10 was received by Coroner Woltman, yesterday, to be de- voted to tho relief of their pressing necessities. Mrs, Stewart called on the Coroner and re- ceived this and other donetions with a tofu heart. She complained that the Board of Health had sent @ dead-wagon to have the body of her child re- moved to the Morgue, as she was unuble to defray the burial expenses. She represented that, with what slight relief she had y received, she would be enubled to est the child, Coroner Woltman at once countermanded the order of the Board of Health for the removal of the body, and thereby relieved the afflicted mother of her fears that the little one would be imterred in Potter's Field. DENVER AND RIO GRANDE. For some time past rumors have been current in financial circles that the trustees of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company had made an over- issue of bonds under the first mortgage. Mr. L. H, Moyer, sole surviving trustee of the mortgage, sent & communication to President Ives, of the Stock Ex- change, demanding that the matter be investigated, Mr. Ives complied with his nest, and ascertained that since the bonds of the were admitted to she stock list everything had been reguiar, and as it was not within the province of the hange to go be fas the fate of admission at hy the pee, jent re} extel morning to the members the Stock Board, pr ge fhe thing there bed een no over taste. A BACKWOODS TRAGEDY. Brutal Assassination to Secure In- surance Money, A SOLDIER’S SHAME. Raber Despatched for Fifteen Hundred Dollars, SIX MEN ACCUSED. Lepanon, Pa., Feb, 10, 1879. Wednesday next has been fixed for the hearing of the six men imprisoned here to answer the charge of the murder of old Joseph Raber to obtain $10,000 of insurance money on his life, This murder ig sur- rounded by a web of romantic interest. Lebanon is the county séat of Lebanon county, and is about one hundred and fifty miles west of New York, on the Allentown line to Harrisburg.and the West. Here are located the famous Cornwall iron hills, owned by the Coleman estate, where General Grant frequently passed his summer days during his Presidency, But after the visitor leaves the beautiful Lebanon Valley and traverses northward he reaches a wild and desolate swamp country and forest along the base of the Blue Moun- tains. It wasin this dreary and barren backwoods that old man Raber was murdered, Passages through the bleak hills are called gaps. A small settlement, fifteen miles from the county seat, is known as In- diantown. Close by is Indiantown Gop, and a lazy, muddy stream creeping through the forest is known as Indiantown Creek, The houses or cabins of the backwoodsmen are miles apart, The region may be said to be a hundred years behind the age in many things, yet the spirit of speculation and doviltry seems to be abroad here and fully abreast of the crimes of the most modern development. FACTS CONCERNING RABER’S DEATH, The allegation is that Joseph Raber was murdered Saturday afternoon, December 1, of last year. He was about sixty-five years of age and without family., He was absolutely penniless, so poor that he went abroad to beg flour and tobacco from the neighbors. Yet a few years ago a few of his acquaintances held policies of in- surance on his life amounting to about $30,000, Raber was a species of tramp, with no settled or fixed residence, wandering about the forest and backwoods country, working here and there, and irregularly turning up in the vicinity of Indientown when not elsewhere employed. It is stated that he was struck onthe head with a blunt instrument, thrown into the shallow stream of the Indiantown Creek, and a few of thé neighbors who knew that the body was there allowed it to remain in the water ali that after- noon, Saturday night and until Sunday afternoon, be- fore it was dragged out by Coroner Armand Weber and hig jury. It appears there exists an epidemic of life insurance speculation all jong this section of country traversed by the Blue Mountains. Old man Raber was selocted as a -fit subject for man “‘ psy, a ge on. Some of his acquaintances were ith this mania for in- surance speculation. They formed # pool and in- vested their surplus earnings. Strange to say they found local insurance companies or State mutual companies with agents willing to take risks of that kind. Policies to the amount of $30,000 were issued on the old man, yet he was living a wandering life in a wild, desolate and erous country, and among a class of men thst considered the taking of human life « trifling crime. * ‘KLESS INSURANCE BUSINESS.. licies were dropped is not definitely known, more than that it required too much money to pay the premiums. Subsequent opinion attributes it to the fact that the job of murdering the old man could not be successfully bargained tor and secured'soon enough: that it was the intention on the part of some in! to have the old man killed mysteriously as soon as ible after the entire amount of insurance on his life had been atranged for; but, as the murderera could not be employed, the deed was not done. was born in this vicinity. Many years ago his witedeserted him and their three children were apprenticed to Sipcee, Here also resided Charles Drews, one of the ~alleged rincipals in the murder. Drews went bravely all Through the war of the rebellion as # color bearer, His daughter was married to a young soldier in the regular army, named Joseph F. Peters. About three months ago Peters obtained a furlough and left his command that hed been stationed along the coast of Maine, and returned home on a visit. PI ouse of his father-in-law, in the wild back- woods above destribed, where he met his happy wife, and found everybody Fe geirmgee bappy and getting along tolerably well. wife was a devoted woman to Peters and an aftectionste daughter. ATTEMPTING TO HIRK AN AMSASSIN, Soon after the young soldier, Peters, bad returned home, he alleges that he realized that some wicked conspiracy was on foot having for its object the mu of somebody in that vicinity. He was ap- proached upon frequent occasions and by different Parties, all spparently having the same object in REC! Why $20,000 of the view. Finally, alleges, he was offered $100 to murder thie old man, Joseph Raber. Pe- ters was told that his furlough was about iting; that he could do the job without belng suspected, and with the money paid to him cash in advance he could quietly leave home to join his command, and nobody wouid ever entertain the slightest suspicion that he had committed the crime. Peters says he refused this, A few devs afterward the dead body of the old man was dis- covered in the shallow waters of the stream. The Coroner arrived the day after, on Sunday afternoon, and the body was taken from the water, The official was refused the driyiiage of bringing the corpse into any of the neighboring houses, he “and tite “Sueymen, including # doctor, took the body into a barn snd there conducted the examination of witnesses. A number of persons tes- tified, and one or two swore they saw the old man crossing the plank over the creek, snd while in the he fell into the water and was When asked why they offered no assist- ance they made evasive replies that excited consider- able suspicion. Notwithstanding the mystery sur- rounding the death and the ws ying heaped upon the old man’s body in allowing it to remain so jong in the water the jury returned « verdict of accident drowning, and the body was buried in a cemetery miles away. This yerdict, however, was not at all satisfactory, and when it was learned that this amount of — bet held on the Cs yF suspicions of foul play at once aron he jurymen Goons aware that deceased was insured at all. YOUNG PETERS’ story, After the funeral the local press occasionally re- ferred to the mysterious death, and finally the in- surance companies sent rienced detectives to see What was in the case. ¢ young soldier, Peters, was still at his father-in-law’s house, but atter re- maining there @ few weeks he removed to Manada Hill, Dauphin county, about tweuty miles away. He was born and rajsed there. At first it was- sup- osed that he had simply visited there to see is relatives, but subsequent events developed the fact that he removed there to escape the brutal hands of some of the same men who are now charged with the murder of Raber. Ac- cording to the sworn information of this young soldier he was an eye-witness to that crime. His story is full of dramatic interest. Peters said nothing to his wife or his father-in-law thet certain Egg red approached hii to bargain tor a murder. le tried to dismiss it from his mind. The young soldier says he saw the bloody deed “epi “ss e's one of the murderers was the young sol father-in-law. The father of his wife strick the terrible blow, aud the murderous twain bad left old Haber to drown aud die in the creek. Peters, who, it is claimed, could have gane into battle without flinching any time, and was brave enough to engage in o to-hand conflict with any ordinary foe, quailed at the sight of this murder, lost his presence of mind and was undeter- mined what to do. Hisdesire was first to rush from the house to the creek and save old Raber’s life if possible, The young wife was informed of the tragedy, snd she piteously pleaded thet hor husband should not go neur, ror tear he too would be mur- dered by those desperate men. The scene of murder was not one hundred yore aw “Joseph, dear husband, do not go, fou wi be @ witness to our old fathers terrible crime. Do not, I beg of you, leave the house, but let us stay here and appear to know nothing about ih, sueieies the boyy heartbroken foul women, uty ive way to the sw jieation Toa plesding of the young vig, and the Sone ae dier remained indoors, A half hour later the old man came in and informed them that oid Raber had been seized with an attack of vertigo while crossing the creek, had fallen in and was drowned, The young soldier was smased at the coolness with which man made this announcement. low do you know that ?” he quickly asked. ‘I saw him fall in,” replied the old man, Why, father, that water is not ei; inches deep. If you saw him fall in you could saved him from death by drowning. Where is he ?” excited; exclaimed the young men, who still wore the uni- form of a United Stat soldier, The young wife flung hersélf upon ber husband's shoulder and in piteous appeals begged him to say no more and to her aged father. The old man hung his could not speak. He was humiliated and eared to be guilty and ashamed. ‘The wife contin pep onppliestion, and after prayer and appeal the young suldier desiated, PLAN TO MURDER PETERS, On the Sunday morhing following the dier wanted to remove “s body from but his wite told him that the laws bade the removal of a dead body oung sol- ie water, of the land for+ before the Coroner came. Finally the Coroner arrived, but Peters and his wife were not summoned, Drews, however, testi- fied that he saw old Raber fall into the creek, The bee then assumed another phase. The old man realized that he was in the power of the young sol- diver, who was only prevented from making the true story of the murder public by the love and respect he had for his wite. Father daughter realized their full duty. The young wife, in tears aud anguish jeaded for her old father, and while Peters was in undetermined there was ® Tite: Site wits sign on her hus! had visited the house and were in whi communication with old Drews. The daughter overheard enough to satisfy herself that they intended to murder her husband to get him out of the way. The young people, atter a night's consideration, resolved to leave that jerous district, and early one morning they took am wnexpected departure. Distant mutterings of the coming storm were heard from the columna of the local newspapers, and old man Drews and his alleged associates trembled. Still they remained in’ the neighborhood, The daughter of old Drews assured her father she could control her husband and that he need uot be afraid. .A few weeks slipped by, and the alleged murderers rested easier. O11 man Drews’ confidence in the heroism and devotion of his daughter increased, and he felt assured of his escape, and the holders of the life in- surance policies put in their claims. ri " APPEALS TO JUSTICE, The young soldier, Peters, however, was restless and disturbed at his new place of abode. He frankly told his wife that he loved her none the less, but justice to all more. His conscience troubled him, and he could not sleep; that he owed a duty to his country and his country’s laws, and that Le must tell all he knew. ‘he wife, on bended knees, beseeched her husband to spare her old father. She recounted his deeds in the war for the Union, alluded to his gray hairs, his poverty and his bein, tempted to the murder by an offer of gold, and that he was poor and weak and could not resist the temptation. All this, however, could not change the determination of the young soldier, and finally he sppeares before Justice Speck, of Han- over township, Lebanon county, and made oath to all he know, A warrant was issued by the Justice, and the old soldier, Drews, his companion; a young man named Steckler and four others, named Israel Brandt, Henry F. Weise, Josiah Hummel and George Zechman, six in all, were arrested and lodged in Sail, These rties reside near Indiantown and their cabins are faa atretch of country about seven miles long. Drews and Steckler are charged with Laving been the hired assassins of old man Raber. For committing the deed they were to. receive fitteen hundred dollars in’ gold. Steckler is not quite twenty-one pipet of ‘age and resembles # Deardless boy. He is romantic and full of silly no- tions, and was easily led into the conspiracy. The remaining four are charged with being the holders of the policies of insurance, and Drews and Steckler had no policies at all. The four were uccordingly ar- rested. as being of the conspirators and accessories before and after the fact. * THE PRISONERS AND THE COMING TRIAL, The prisoners are all very commonly clad, Brandt kept a whiskey saloon in the forest and is about forty ears of age. He wears a red handkerchie: about his ead and his ppreranes generally is not inviting, Weise is about thirty-five, and was in jail before on the charge of larceny. He is a well-set myn, stout and strong. Hummel is twenty-five years old and his father is well off. Zechman is thirty-five, very quictand his father is rich, The prisoners have very little to SY: aud all have counsel excepting Drews and Steckler, The latter is the youngest in the party and it is supposed he will make full confession before ‘many days have elapsed. The District Attorney is of the opinion that the story of the young soldier, Peters, is entirely reliable, which will be corroborated by his wife and other witnesses, If Steckler knows anything of a conaptreny and makes a confession to that effect the conviction of the remaining prisoners is almost as- sured. There is a great deal of excitement in refer- ence to the matter, and the day of the hearing is anx- iously looked forward to. SHOCKING ACCIDENT. A HOSTLER DRAGGED TO DEATH ON THE HUDSON RIVER RAILROAD TRACK—A PREDICTION THAT WAS NOT VERIFIED, James Dick, @ hostler, stood beside the Hudson River Railroad track at 140th street at twenty min- utes to twelve o’clock yesterday morning talking with Officer Jefferson, of the Thirtieth precinct, when 8 locomotive rattled past them. Just as the engine reached a point near where Dick stood a crack was heard, and in less than # second after a large piece of the covering of the foremost propelling wheel broke and flew over his head. Dick glancéd at the piece of iron, which weighed fully 150 pounds, and then re- marked to the policeman, ‘‘Jeff, if that thing had ever struck me I guess it would have killed me, but I don’t think I’m to be killed to-day.” He then bid the officer goodby, turned upon hia heel and started for home. When he reached the cross at j35th street, the train due at Manhattanville at noon hove in sight, and Dick crossed to the down track to allow it to pass him. The last car of the train had only passed when he was seen to recrosa the track, and as soon as he did so he stooped as if to pick up meer he ‘It was the bell rope, which was being dragged fully half a block behind the train, which he attempted to clutch, for what purpose it will never be known, when by the.motion of the cars it became entangled about his body. He was thrown to the ground and before he could extricate himself his head struck against one of the rail«, rendering him unconscious. Silas W. Wilson, a brakeman, was at his post on the rear platform ef the hind car, and, seeing the acci- dent, cut the rope, to the end of which the unfortu- nate man was attached, after he had been dragged fully two blocks over the ties and » The acci- dent was witnessed by several peop le, who ran to his assistance, only to ime his _ body terribly mutilated and covered with blood. It was first thought that he was dead, and his body was lsid ou # snow bank. Afterward it was found that he was slowly breathing, and the body was placed on adown train and carried to Ninety-ninth street, to the Re- ception Hospital, Dr, McDermott, chief of the staff, found that the man could not live many hours, as the sale wie. flesh on the right side of his head had ber toFn off, his skull fractured, ribs, arms and legs n. Dick was known throughout Manhattanville by the nickname of ‘Jimmy Dick.” He was quite an eccentric character, and for years was hostler at the old Carleton Hotel. It was closed about two years ago, and since then Dick has been out of employ- ment. He was forty-eight years old and resided with his family in 125th street, near the Western Boulevard. hes LONG ISLAND THIEVES. The thieves’ raid into Queens county continues, and though there hus been many a chance to sppre- hend some of them not # move is made in any direc- tion. The officials say that the Board of Supervisors will not pay them for their work, end the Supervisors way that they will pay all leg:timate expenses. There is an undoubted clew to ove of the men who robbed Mr. March, of Glen Dale, on Christinas night, and to the men who burglarized Abraham Howlett’s house at Woodsburg a little later, but the officers refuse to do anything unless the persons who were robbed will prefer proper complaint, and this they refase to do through fear. Meantime the thieves grow bolder. Last Saturday night three crimes were committed of a very daving character. At Middle Village tho stable of Deputy Sheriff Charles Klengenbecker was broken open and his horse, wagon and set of harness stolen. Encour- aged by their success in this particular the thieves forced an entrance to his residence and carried off considerable clothing. At Blissville an attempt was nude to force an entrance to Bradlam’s Hotel, but the thieves wore frightened off. On Sunday night thieves paid a visit to the premises of Charles Smith, oe ie nad and killed and carried away seventy chickens, Detective Wilkinson, of Jamaica, while looking for the rendezvous of « horse thief, who is wanted in New York, was intormed that on last Saturday night ® man riding in # carriage got lost in the woods north of Mineola, and secing @ light in a small louse approached gnd asked to shown the way tu the turnpike. The occupants of the shanty were picking chickens, wnich are believed to have been stolen, and emerging from the hut eo him from the wagon aud robbed him. Tho officer for the time be- ing abandoned his search for the horse thief’s hiding place, end with a few men went to the wood@. where the robbery is said tu have occurred, and found the but, but no men. The door was open and chicken feathers were lying about. There had been s fire in bag hems hag the room, which is without « floor. been considerable uneasiness failure of the buthotities to apprehond the are #1 of being the perpetrators ot the Post Office and store of the who the rob- y ineola, and the Post Office, sto} residence of Charles Smith, and the residence of Rev. P.D. Oakley, at Springfield. It is known that one of the gang has been unduly intimate with a woman now & servant in one of these families, and Detective Payne hes been close on his tracks on two occasions. ty says he hae found, in his search for the man, no than four cases of clear bigamy against him. CHLOROFORMED AND ROBBED. Carl Crager, who gives his residence aa No. 6Green- ‘wich street, entered the premines in the rear of No. 212 William street on Sunday night. While passing through the yard some one seized him by the throat and held a cloth or sponge to his nostrils. He be- came insensible from the effects of the application, which was presumsbly chloroform, end, Los re. covering, missed $10 from his vest pocket. Michael Curley, who yave his ocoupation as # truck driver, was aul juently ited as the Perret who had chloro. formed and robbed Crager. liam Carter and two women named J > fuer and Jennie Wilson, who were found in the house, were also arrested. At the Tombs Police Court, terday, Curley was held in dotault of $1,000. bail’ on the charge’ of robbery ; Carter was committed a ant, and the two women were placed ge! ‘$500 each to answer a yt keepii it » Orager pont fo the House of Detentions. witness." OFFICER SMITHS MURDER His Widow and Covert D. Bennett Put on Trial for the Crime. THE INTEREST IN JERSEY CITY. Proposing to Prove that Love Prompted the Killing. ‘The trial of Mrs. Jenny R. Smith and Coyert D. Bennett for the murder of Police Officer Richard H. Smith, husband of the former of the defendants, in Jersey City on the morning of August 1 last, was yesterday begun in the Hudson County (N, J.) Court of Oyer and Terminer at Jersey City. The nature of the crime and the characters of all the people connected with it served to create in- tense interest in the details at the time of the murder, and the frequent postponements of the trial of the accused have apparently increased the interest of Jersey City people in the case. The story of the murder is yet fresh in the minds of Henan readera, and may be summarized briefly. Officer Richard Harrison Smith was born in this city, but had re- sided in Jersey City for several years, and in 1876 he was appointed a patrolman in the Fourth police pre» cinct. His brother, John E. Smith, now superintendent of the Central Railroad ferries, is widely known in political circles, having served for several years as @ Freeholder and veing now one of the Aldermen from the Sixth district, Officer Smith was divorced a few years ago from his wife on her petition on the ground of adultery. Mrs, Smith then married a brother of her divorced husband, and the officer married Jennie B. Wooley, who had been # co- respondent in the divorce suit. The September Grand Jury found an indictment against Mrs. Smith for murder, She was arraigned, and ‘after: pleading not guilty remanded for trial, Bennett was meanwhile detained in default of $5,000 bail as a witness for the State. During the session of the last Grand Jury District Attorney Alexander T. McGill again’ brought the cose up and the result was that the Grand Jury presented a joint bill of indictment against Mrs. Smith and Bennett. They were arraigned together and pleaded, and their trial has been postponed so often that even the large crowd in the court room yeater day were in doubt as to whether it would go on. A murder trial is such @ rare ocourrence in Jersey City that it would alone draw an immense throng; but the variety of interesting details in the present oase hag excited such interest that yesterday morning at nine o'clock all the seats in the court room were occupied, and at tem o'clock, the hour of opening court, the officers had begun to turn people from the doors, the aisles Se hg 4 packed. The seuales resent, the major of them young, num Prout a'hundreds Ata little atier tou aetaes Raann, Garrettson, Quaife and Brinkerhoff took their seats on the bench, In answer to a question from Judge Knapp Prosecutor MoGill an- nounced his readiness to proceed. Counsellor dames Fleming inguired whether the first indictment against Mrs, Smith» had been nollie uied, and the Court replied that it had not, Eounsellor Wakeman then argued that it should be, because he claimed that the defence bad met with snares ever since the indictments, and as soon as one snare was swept away another was spread for him. District Attorney McGill said that he did not intend to nolle procera it, andthe Court directed that the trial of the joint indictment proceed. ‘THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL. The prisoners were then brought into court by Deputy sheriffs Feeland Foley. Mrs. Smith strug- led through the crowd in the sand inside the far inclosure and remained standing until a seat was rovided for her. She was dressed in the same black ress, bounet and veil which she wore when in court before, She exchanged no word with her counsel, and sat during the day firmly back in the seat, with her eyes looking straight at the jury. She is a blonde, about twenty-five years of age, with very. perfect features, and altogether very Rergomees . Bennett followed her into the court and sat by the side of ex-Judge lover, io. Rey, Dr. 8. Rice sat Sear nim and frequently’ conversed with him. Both prisoners ee perfectiy cool and tel poagonne. Among those present were Alderman Smith, Mrs. James Smith, Mrs. John Smith and Mr. Carman, stepfather of Mrs. Smith, The counsel for the defence are ex-Senator ©. H. Winfield, Gilbert Collins, James Flemming and K. D. Wakeman. Ex-Judge William T. Hoffman eppered for Bennett, The prosecution is conducted by Sree General John P. Stockton, District Attorney A. T. McGill and Assistant District Attorney Vandervoort. of jurors were then call were selected. ry ther twenty-five trom lowing 4 o. got, toyether ‘Theodore ‘3. jury were If re’ B. Folger, foreman; James Dani n, Patrick Doyle, Thomas J. Curtis, John Gebm, Robert Catlin, Peter Meserole, John Cranston, John McDonald, Herman D » Booch Greenleaf and Jacob Quatlander. Con- stables Koelbel, Locke and Meyer were sworn to take charge of the jury. I tlining the i ‘his pening Prosecu in out case in 0) itor McGill raid thse the wounds on the body and the position of the body of the deceased precluded the bngg nye A of suicide. were no weapons in the nity, and pointed to the fact that the man was not even awake at the time of the attuck, but that he was murdered while he slept, intensifying the horror in every mind. There must bes motive for the crime of murder; ® pecuniary motive could hardly have been the cause in this case, Passion ee possibly influence homicide; but to cold, pre litated mur- der there must be a uger metive, Love is ® mo- tive; and love in the Fong. breast is sometimes a very strong motive. We read of murders committed by the young, growimg out of uuholy and un- lawfui love, In the Cobb murder the motive was love, and the State will claim that in this case love played » very important part. Religious people shrink from the commission of crime; morality restrains others; fear of the law or affection for the deceased would restrain others; ‘but where religion, morality, fear of the law or affec- tion is wanting, the restraints are gone and there remains nothing to hinder the crime, ‘The prosecutor thought that he could show that Jeuny RK. Smith hud little ieee morality or There tear of the lew; that she her husband and loved Bennett, and Bennett loved her; that sho her husband because of his neglect of her, and because he stinted her in money sul aross, of both of which she was iond. He ex- cted to prove that, because of this unhappy love tween her and Bennett, she yearned tv be tree, and that they thus conspired’ together to free themselves of their yoke, and that they rid themselves of him by hee Ley och ghernaned hag by saying e ex to prove that the night fore the murder Bennett wae tm the vicinity of the honse, and also that subsequent to the murder had made confessions in messages between them in the County Jail, which he thought would go far to- ward convicting them. He theu called Levi W. Post and E, W. Harrison, surveyors, who testified to hay- {ny made the diagrams of the house then exhibited in the court room. ‘THE TRSTIMOKY. James jor, who ocoupied the upper floor over Smith's apartments, was the next witness, and he corroborated the testimony given by him on the inquest. He had not seen the missing sash weight on the for severai days prior to the murder; the only q' 1 he ever knew the Smiths to have was on one two wevks prior to the murder, and then Smith was Wty J because he had been five minutes lute at roll call; his wife said that if he had come earlier than halt-past three in the morn- “> would not have been late, Susannah McGregor, mother of the last wit- ness, next testified, giving the same evidence as given her before the Coroner, with some important ad- itions which she said she had forgotten before the pep din She testifivd:—When I went down stairs to irs. Smith ou the morning of the mur- der 1 — “Mra. Smith, what id the matter?’ and she , "Look where lies murdered in his bed;" £ “Who know: is doad,” and she said, “Yes, he is murdered in his bed; L asked her how it she said, “Mr. Smith came past eleven o'clock, and we we could no’ water, after which she fell asleep; something into her mouth; waid the Harry over head, and as she heard the thed of the blow she lost consciousness; she was putting out her hand she felt blood: I asked where ae oY ‘she ‘said it was locked up in the 9, De yon ect a Ts ut oe 5 mber anythi ny at nife? A. Yes, rch in the after pans OF sitting in the kitchen at ‘windo' It was bein, me we have no carving in the room when she sitting at the hey windor that inthe accond time ttn ierealag Fe Tat ow La munition the dea mlght comm! ight have there:" she made no to that, when Detective Sener came up she asked him what Seen: a clehtt be asked her i che pela vs & wel ; knife, and she answered no, not then, but said that she did have un ugly looking knife, which was bent ne Pe Hate te it; ‘she suid she used it for splitting ‘wood. SHE WANTED REST. Nothing new wus elicited on the crosg-examination and on the redirect she testified:—Before we went way that er Mra, Smith asked where she wag going to sleep and Mr, McHorney said that she would sleep there; she said, “I want rest,” and Mr. McHur. ney said, “Wherever you sleep, either here or at the Alderman’s, you will not be left alone after this;” Mrs. Smith said, “Oh, why am I thus watched? mau; crimes are committed and the people go free, an many murders are committed and never found out;” she added, “They aay thure were twout it:!” Detective y a ee ? who say?” but Mra, Smith turned to the wail and mado no answer. By Senator Winfield—Q. Mrs. or, you never tentined. od thas before aovanie hast A. No, John F. Fanfield, a police officer, testified that he was notified of the murder by a lamplighter; when he went to the house Mrs, Smith answered his ques- tions regularly; she did not seem stupid or excl ; five minutes previous to receiving intelligence of the strech going if tha diection of a Goes street, ion “ de port aa could not Sy et ech ps oi aT The witness was on wi wi tl journed for the day. nate nye TRUE PATRIOTISM. A very interesting lecture on “True Patriotisih as Tlustrated by the Life ‘apd Public Services of Jolin Quincy Adams” was delivered last night by Judge Noah Davis, under the auspices of the Alexander Lit erary Society, at the Alexander Chapel, No.7 King street. be Ser The lecturer began by quoting Johnson‘s saying, that “Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels,’ and declared it was as falue as that other saying, “Religion is the cloak of hypocrites,” The spoaker said he did not intend to discuss the in general, but to illustrate it by and public, services ut one of the inguished men of country—John Quincy Adams’ early childhood,” he said, passed in the most wonderful era of the history of the country—the ten years preceding the Revolution, His boyhood was spent abroad in connection with the diplomatic ser vice of his father, Returning to this country he at- tracted great attention by hie published articles on the policy of the United ‘States, which he declared to be union at home and neutrality and independence of all entangling alliances abroad.’ While from his native State of Massachusetts he was not for his. independence of action from party ties. Theso traits of cheracter genes him many enemies a: his election the Presidency. He ab ri TQ. fused to allow political opinions appointments to office. At the expiration of his term he retired to private life. Soon after he was elected Representative in Congress. He stood, a man of eighty. in the councils of the nation, link: the third generation with the past. In contem; the character of Mr. Adams one ig most atruck wit! his lofty spirit of independence. Old age naturally clings to the past, but Adams was equal the most usefui in his cager embracing of new raphe, ee purity of life and Y sieps activity of min dy were his chief characteristics.” ‘COMMERCE WITH FRANCE, M, Léon Chotteau, @ representative of the Cham bers of Commerce of srance, delivered an informal address yesterday before the United States Board of ‘Trade, He read a tabulated list of the quantity. of various kinds of goods imported into France in 1876 with the general and conventional tariffs on each. He said the Fronch general tariff prohibited entirely the entrence into France of refined sugars, cast iron, window glass, soaps, plated ware, articles of cast wrought nails, buil hardware, cotton clothe, cotton clothing, coarse cotton yarns, cards, shoes and carriages. He also stated in between the years of 1867 and 1876, in the yearly imports, Enjeand came first, and her amounted to 620,032,231. ; lum second, with imports amounting to 896,611 a3 339,599,118f,; Germany fou United States fifth, 1, B “ 159,484,361f. The speaker did not know why United States should not occupy the first place. After remarks from others on the sui better reciprocity treaty between this cou! France, and after # vote of thanks had been passed to M. Chotteau, the meeting adjourned. ' SUPPOSED INCENDIARISM. — About half-past one o'clock on Sundsy morning a domestic in the employ of Mr. Alexander Masterton, ex-president of the Merchants snd Manufecturera’ Bank, of this city, who resides at Bronxyille, Weat chester county, discovered flames passing the win- dows of the room in which she slept and noticed a strong smell of smoke in the house, She st once eg from her bed and gore me fam- narrow members of which from the burning building. Cipitately in thelr night deossea'in which. send ci ui wi Stn Masterton carsfod a child in = house of Mr, Seaman, their ‘nearest thay aneighth of » mile distent. The of Mount Vernon responded to the alarm, but before ee, reached the scene the dwelling, a costly frame building, with nearly the entire contents, was a heap of ruins. The dwelling, with ita contents niture, pictures, statuary and silverware was es! ed to be worth $40,000. "There was also in the house the communion plate of the Reformed Ohurch of Bronxville, upward of $1,000 in bank notes and coin bel ig to Mr. Masterton and to the servants. The di Hee an ee ‘Tue it is’ mae wet en com; bus; ‘was the work of an incendiary, no other enum of ite origin being apparent. EXACTING A BOARD BILL. Mrs, Fannie Morrison, # delicate looking lady, the wife of a Dr. Morrison, was arraigned before Justice Kasmire at the Fifty-seventh Street Court yeaterday, on acharge of petit larceny, and was locked up ip default of $300 bail to answer at the Special Sessions, butcher, of No, 439 Fourth avenue, with whom Dr. Morrison and his wife have been boarding since left New York to look for some more suitable location to engage in practice, as he had failed to suceced in and board for himself and wife. Mr. Smith, as he states himself, entered the doctor's rooms and finding he alleges, he found 4 silver and spoon half dozen napkins, in all yalued at $4, vhich he rty. Mrs, Morrison ini ty denied all intention of stealing any of Mr, property oud said that as she a and spoon aud even the napkins ht hay mixed up with her own articles, The a je Cs y husband in all probability no such ‘wor have been made by the Some: gs his SMUGGLED CANINES. On information received at the office of the Special day.on board the steamer City of New York, where he seized two King Charles spaniels, two skye ter- sion of some of the sailora, The canines stowed away in the coal holes of the ahip. adopt the practice of im; iT ir stock in this surreptitious manner, in order to evade the duty of intended for breeding purpores. The sailors who brought the dogs over statements to clear vee of the c smuggling. They, however, ice The complaint was made by Henry T, Smith, a last Noyember. About two weeks ago Dr. Morrison this city. He then owed Mr, Smith $146 for o1 rent atrunk unlocked, looked through it. In the trunk, claims as his pi was it of taking her meals in her own room the tork marked that if the board bill had been paid sworn statement he was obliged to hold her. Agout of the Treasury an inspector was sent yeater> riers and one bull terrier, which were in the poases- claimed by the officers that dog ers in New York twenty per cent imposed by the tariff on apjmals not to the Custom House, where they male themsel for the two skye terriers, w! ® piece. The value of the bull wee it $75, while the spaniele are anid to be worth ing. The duty on these thive canines not only forth they were chained in the seizure room. inst., to consider the ition of red the capt stock of that idatitution. from 1,000,000 t AND YET ANOTHER. held for the purpose of taking into consideration the propricty of reducing their capital stock from $200,009 SHER .bs at eae he Se uence of @ recent ‘ Bt te tn arsed the bank officials, ing to do the iter, A Rye aeher tes septal aed ay oT Sects of the contemplated change. " ARRESTED FOR BIGAMY. Joseph F, Emmons, of Long Branch, MW. J., was at rested yesterday on & charge of bigamy, He was married to Elizabeth Piorco in 1871, and to Mary Reddy, of jog ee in July, 1878, § father of the wite, mind i compl