AFFAIRS ALONG THE
HUDSON.
Hudson, June 29,
1869
The dwelling house of John Conklin, near
Martindale, in the town of Claverack, was struck by lightning
yesterday afternoon during one of the most terrific thunder storms
that has ever visited that place. The Inmates of the house were
Mrs. Conklin and Frank and Mary Reigle. Frank was knocked
a distance of more than ten feet and stunned, Mrs. Conklin was turned
completely around by the shock and thrown to the floor, and Mary was
rendered senseless. The damage to the house was slight.
This morning, about one
o'clock, the residence of widow Catherine Berger, in
Millenville (sic), was entered by a burglar. The only occupants
of thee house were Mrs. Berger and her daughter, a young lady twenty
years of age. The latter discovered the burglar in the act of
taking from the bureau a box containing here jewelry, amounting to
several hundred dollars in value. She immediately jumped from
her bed and gave chase to the burglar down the stairs, through the
front door and across the yard; but the burglar escaped from the
plucky girl.
A series of
burglaries were perpetrated in Ghent last night. The residence
of Mr. Rowland W. Macy was entered, and a small quantity of
silverware taken. The residence of Mr. Cady, near that of
Mr. Macy, was also entered, and a gold watch and suit of clothing
stolen.
Last evening Deputy
United States Marshal John D. B. Smith, of Troy, arrested Eugene
Pulver, in this city, on charges preferred in Buffalo. He
was taken to New York to await action on the charges.
William Ashley
was arrested at Chatham yesterday charged with stealing a valuable
horse and wagon from Peter B. Pulver, of this city, and
held for examination.
Source: The New York Herald, 1869
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Severity of the
Storm at Hudson--Injury to the Railroad-Considerable Property
Destroyed--Railroad and Travel Interrupted.
HUDSON, Oct 4, 1869.
The
severest rain storm ever known in this locality prevailed from
midnight Saturday until noon to-day. The rain fell unremittingly
and with great force during that time, causing much damage by
inundations and freshets. On the Hudson River Railroad bridges
and culverts were carried away above and below the city, preventing
the passage of trains either way during the day. The bridge at
Ghent, on the Harlem Railroad, was washed away, together with many
others on the line between Ghent and Copake. The Hudson and
Boston Railroad could run no trains through to Chatham to-day.
About fifty feet of the track was washed away near Claverack depot,
and other damage was done to the road, which will be repaired by
to-morrow morning. The brick yards of F. M. Sprague,
E. & A. Bruce, Henry Miller and George C. Byrne were
damaged by overflow. Mr. Sprague is probably the heaviest
sufferer, his loss being reported at $4,000. Fritz's paper mill,
the storehouse of Harder's woollen (sic) mill and the dam at
Philmont were carried away by the freshet. Bridges on nearly all
the turnpikes leading out of the city were washed away, and the roads
along the streams and ponds were overflowed to a depth rendering them
impassable. The construction train on the Hudson River Railroad
which left this city about nine o'clock this morning to assist in the
repairs at Livingston creek met with an accident at Mount Merino,
about one mile and a half from this city by means of the falling in of
a culvert as the train was passing over it. The locomotive was
thrown over and the tender fell through the culvert. Several
laborers were injured.
Source: New York Herald,
Tuesday, October 5, 1869.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
THE STORM.
The Gale Along the
Hudson--Its Effects in Hudson--Destruction of the Bridge at Stockport.
HUDSON, Nov. 21,
1869
A heavy gale of wind prevailed here yesterday,
which was more severe in its effects in this immediate vicinity than
that of last Wednesday, and the destruction of property in the
surrounding country has been great. In this city the spire of
the Presbyterian church was partially blown over, and a portion of it
was carried some distance. The building in the public square
known as the Anable block was unroofed and damaged to a considerable
extent. In different parts of the city chimneys and fences were
blown down.
In Athens the stables
of the Knickerbocker Ice Company were unroofed and the roof carried
some two hundred yards. Other damage was done about the village.
At Stockport the
Columbiaville bridge, a substantial structure 350 feet in length was
blown down. It will require $20,000 to replace it. There
was a general sweeping of trees and fences throughout the town, and
the damage in this respect will be great.
In Claverack the hay
barracks of John Miller were demolished and the contents
scattered over a wide range of territory. A large number of
threes were uprooted and seven chimneys were blown from the Claverack
Institute. A large number of fences were blown down.
Source: The New York Herald, 22 November
1869
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The "Watson Webb house," an interesting old
mansion at Claverack, N. Y., has just been burned. It was built
in 1727 and figured in colonial history. Here Gen. Lafayette
visited Gen. Samuel Webb after the Revolution and with his
diamond ring etched his name on a window pane. Later the mansion
has been known as the place where Clement C. Moore wrote " 'Twas the
Night Before Christmas."
Source: The News, Maryland, 24 May 1890
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
STRANGE FASCINATION.
Return of a Murderer to
Place Where His Crime Was Committed.
New York World: The strange and powerful
fascination which compels the murderer to return to the scene of the
crime is the cause of John Schmidt's occupying today a place in
the death cell of Dannemora prison.
Like Eugene Aram,
he could not keep away from the neighborhood where lay the dead body
of his victim.
Though free and in a a
safe hiding place, though at liberty to begin for himself a new life
far from the place where justice sought to punish him, Schmidt
finally, after five years of wandering, went back and allowed himself
to be captured.
Criminologists say that
the impulse to return to the scene of one's crime is as strong with a
murderer as was the original desire to take the life of the victim.
Schmidt's strange case
is certainly a confirmation of this theory.
For more than five
years John Schmidt eluded justice. When he disappeared from
Philmont, N.Y., after the murder of his stepson, William
Heledrbrandt (sic), near the town of Claverack, Columbia county,
on Sept. 12, 1893, all trace was lost of him as completely as if the
earth had swallowed him.
When Schmidt first came
to America in 1883 he had worked as a farm hand for a farmer named
Coburn. Coburn lived near Philmont, which is a few miles from
Chatham, N.Y.
At Coburn's house the
night Schmidt returned to the scene of the murder a party was in
progress. The night was cold. It was in the depths of
winter. Inside warm fire glowed, and young folks were dancing
and making merry.
Up to the porch of this
house the murderer crept in the darkness. He peered in through
the windows and listened to the sound of music and laughter coming
from the house
.
It is thought that
Schmidt went to the Coburn house under the desire to tell the farmer
just how the murder had been committed. The crime, with all its horrid
details, preyed on his mind. He was overwhelmed by a strange
curiosity to know just what the people of Claverack thought of the
murder. He wanted to learn if they held him responsible for it.
As Schmidt crept up to
the Coburn house he inadvertently crossed a beam of light which
illuminated the roadway.
In that instant one of
his old companions recognized him.
"Why, by heaven!
If that isn't John Schmidt, who murdered Hildebrandt!" exclaimed the
man
.
Schmidt, immediately on
this recognition, tried to get away in the darkness, but a posse was
formed and he was quickly captured.
Once before Schmidt had
eluded the officers of the law, so the citizens of Columbia county
took no chances when he again fell into their hands.
He was quickly landed
in Columbia county jail, tried, and convicted. Sentence of death
was passed upon him June 5, 1899, five years and seven months after
the perpetration of the murder.
Source: Davenport Daily Republican,
[Davenport, Iowa], 30 January 1902.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A REMARKABLE WOMAN.
___________
Her Prayers and Work Have Always Been
for the Upbuilding and Extending of the Christian Church.
(From the St. Paul's Herald)
For 36 years Middletown has been blessed with the presence,
prayers and labors of one of the most devoted and successful Christian
women of the present century--Mrs. Cyanthia B. Denton, better
known as "Mother Denton," or "Aunty Denton."
She
was born in Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y., June 7th, 1801, the
eldest of eight children (seven of whom have passed away), and
remained in her native place until 17 years of age, when she married
Oliver Wilcox, of Lexington, Greene county, and removed to that
place. They next resided at Ashland, in the same county, and
later were at Oak Hill, Austerlitz, N. Y., Pittsfield, Mass., and
Wilton, Conn., returning to Ashland for the second time, where they
remained until Mr. Wilcox was compelled, owing to failing health, to
abandon his business of hat manufacturer, and decided to come to
Middletown in 1856. The following year death removed the
faithful husband and father, and in 1860 the widow was married to
Isaac Denton, of Circleville, who died three years later. Since
1863 Mrs. Denton has resided with her son, Horatio R. Wilcox, on
Railroad avenue, in this city. Franklin A., another son, is a
lawyer in New York city.
Mrs. Denton was
converted to God in Ashland when twenty-two years of age, and her
companion sought and found Christ six months later. She was
naturally of an enquiring mind, and previous to her conversion was a
most earnest seeker after spiritual truth; yet she met with little
encouragement from many of those about her, owing to the existence of
some erroneous theories which Christianity has since obliterated.
Methodist services were her delight, although at the time of her
conversion there was no Methodist church in Ashland. Services
were held in a store and conducted by a brother of Rev. Nathan Bangs.
Through the earnest and persistent efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, a
society of twenty members was organized, and a neat and commodious
church erected. This was the beginning of a great work, and
wherever these faithful Methodists went they quickly identified
themselves with the people of their denomination, and through labors,
prayers and sacrifices, wrought a wonderful work, establishing new
churches, strengthening weak ones, and assisting God' work in every
possible manner.
Ever since residing
here "Mother Denton" has been a member of the Methodist church in this
city, and until the past few years has been able to attend the
services and perform her Christian duties thoroughly and cheerfully,
characteristic only of those whose hearts are in the work, and who
serve through love.
Since being confined to
her home she has accomplished much by her prayers and Christian
counsel, and many are the Christians, old and young, who constantly
call upon her and listen to messages of love and instruction as she
sits in her comfortable chair and speaks as the Master directs.
Strong words of praise
are heard on every hand from those who have been associated with
"Mother Denton" in church work, and from the sections where she spent
years of earnest toil for the success of Christ's Kingdom come
testimonials of her superior worth. Rev. A. A. Walker pastor of
the M. E. Church at Ashland, writes as follows; "We know her here as
'Mother Wilcox.' She was the very mother of this old church, and
is greatly revered here. Out Epworth League Chapter is named for
her, viz; 'Wilcox Chapter.' She was Mary and Martha both here,
and indeed a great power to any church that has her prayers."
Thus, in her
ninety-second year, with clear mental faculties, this "mother in
Israel" is patiently waiting for the heavenly summons, conscious that
she is heir to "a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens."
Source: Middletown Daily Press,
[Middletown, New York], 16 November 1892
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MASKS SOLD THE ACCUSED
--------
ALLEGED MURDERERS OF PETER HELLENBECK
BOUGHT THEM.
--------
CORONER'S INQUEST IN ON
--------
Interest in Greenport Murder Case Is
Intense--Prosecuting Officers Are Confident the Right Men Have Been
Arrested--Evidence Is Circumstantial and Defense Declare They Can
Establish an Alibi--Starting Testimony Is Given by Witnesses.
--------
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
HUDSON, Dec. 17--The
Coroner's inquest in the case of Peter A. Hellenbeck
[Hallenbeck] of Greenport, who was murdered at his home last Tuesday,
was continued today by Coroner Lisk. The four young men under
arrest on suspicion of being implicated in the murder are Willis,
Burton and Frederick Van Wormer and Harvey Bruce. Hellenbeck was
shot down in the doorway of his house, about eighteen miles from
Kinderhook, where the prisoners reside.
At the inquest this
afternoon Mrs. Van Wormer, stepmother of the Van Wormers, Pearl Louise
Van Buren, sweetheart of Willis Van Wormer, and George H. Brown,
a liveryman; Mrs. Maria Conner and two daughters testified in behalf
of the prisoners, swearing to their being in Kinderhook, eighteen
miles from the scene of the murder, between one and two hours after
the crime was committed. They were positive in their statements,
which were not taken under examination.
Demond Vernon, a
notion dealer in Kinderhook, swore that on Monday two of the prisoners
purchased two masks in his store. The mask's represented devils'
faces. On Tuesday evening, he testified, the other prisoners
bought two more.
The murderers wore
masks when Hellenbeck was killed.
Tell-Tale Wagon Wheel
Tracks.
The wheels of a wagon
which the prisoners hired on the day of the murder are said to
correspond exactly with the tracks leading from the scene of the
crime. The horse driven to the wagon had a peculiar shoe and an
impression identical with this peculiarity was also, it is
stated, found in the soft earth in the vicinity of the Hellenbeck
home. The shoes worn by the prisoners on the day of their
capture are said to correspond with the shoe prints left in the snow.
Interest in the case in
intense. The prosecuting officers declare they are confident the
right men have been arrested. So far, however, the evidence is
entirely circumstantial and the defense declare they can establish an
alibi.
Source: The Post Standard, Syracuse, New
York, 28 December 1901
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
AGAINST THE ACCUSED MEN
------
Strong Testimony in Hallenbeck Murder
Inquest.
------
SHERIFF TELLS HIS STORY
------
By The Associated Press.
HUDSON, N. Y.,
Dec. 30.--The confession of Harvey Bruce, one of the four young
men under arrest for the murder of Peter Hallenbeck at Greenport on
Christmas Eve, caused an enormous crowd to assemble when the Coroner's
inquest was resumed to-day. The court room became densely packed
and the Coroner announced that owing to the illness of the widow and
advanced age of the mother of the murdered man court would adjourn to
the private office of the District Attorney for their testimony.
The confession of Bruce has not been made public, being kept secret by
the officials.
The testimony of
Mrs. Margaret L. Hallenbeck, wife of the murdered man to-day
showed that four men took a hand in the killing, offsetting the
previous belief that one held a horse near the barn while three others
went to the house. Mrs. Hallenbeck declared she and her
mother-in-law were the only persons present in the house with her
husband at the time of the murder. Her husband had called her
attention to a wagon passing on the highway and two men walking
behind. A short time afterward four men came walking back
wearing coats inside out. They passed down the road toward the
church. The murdered man, herself and mother-in-law all saw them
from the window. Her husband said they must be chicken thieves
and watched them 'til out of sight. Shortly afterward there was
a knock at the kitchen door. Her husband went to open it and she
went to the door with him.
Four Pistols Thrust in His Face.
As he opened the
door four pistols were thrust in his face and fired. Her husband
jumped back and gave his wife a push out of the way. The four
men jumped into the room after him and all fired again. Mrs.
Hallenbeck said her husband turned toward the stairway for his gun,
when his assailants fired again. the men were masked and had
coats turned inside out. One was tall, two medium size and one
short.
"I begged them not to
kill my husband," she continued. "Seeing I could not do anything
I ran to the next room and upstairs. The men kept shooting.
I met my mother-in-law on the stirs and pushed her back. I could
not recognize any of the men. They ran through the house and
departed."
The evidence of Mrs.
Aletnina Hallenbeck, mother of the murdered man who is 80 years
old, bore out the testimony of her daughter-in-law concerning the
happenings of the evening of the tragedy. She confirmed the
statement that four men entered the room and that all of them fired.
There are rumors to-day
that other arrests will follow Bruce's statement of Saturday. So
far the Coroner has refused to allow the counsel retained by the
murderers under arrest to interview or consult them.
The testimony brought
out at the afternoon session of the Inquest was considered by the
officials as bearing against the prisoners.
Sheriff Relates His Story.
Sheriff Harry J.
Best testified to having visited the Hallenbeck house on the night
of the tragedy. He examined the various footprints and wagon
tracks in the snow, their location and the directions of the footsteps
to and from the house. He told how he and his assistants went to
Kinderhook on Christmas Day and arrested the three Van Wormer brothers
and Harvey Bruce. The officers searched the house, finding three
revolvers, a fourth one being found next day. Three of the
weapons were of 32-caliber and one of 36. The prisoners all wore
shoes when arrested. These shoes Sheriff Best took down to
Hallenbeck's house on Christmas Day and in the presence of other
witnesses fitted them in the prints in the snow near the Hallenbeck
house. The four pair of shoes fitted all perfectly, the tracks
leading about the kitchen door and from there toward the highway and
in the vicinity of the barn. One of the footprints had a
peculiar impression as though the shoe had a heel-plate, while the
other prints indicated shoes of "bulldog" pattern. The Sheriff
identified the four pair, each one of which was of different make and
shape. One had on the telltale steel plates and the others were
the same as previously described. The four revolvers found at
the home of the boys were produced. Each one had five chambers,
the Sheriff claiming they had been freshly cleaned and reloaded when
he found them.
Saw Bruce at Stockport.
George Greenwood
of Stockport testified that on Christmas eve he saw Harvey Bruce with
whom he was well acquainted, get out of a wagon at the Brookside
Hotel, Stockport. Going near he spoke to him, calling him by
name, but received no answer. Bruce returned to his wagon,
driving in the direction of Hudson. As the top was over the
wagon and the side curtains down Greenwood could not tell if others
were in the wagon.
Greenwood's evidence
has important bearing on the case, as it was at the hour Greenwood
says he saw Bruce at Stockport that Mrs. Van Wormer swore all four
boys were at home eating supper seven miles away and the horse was
headed in the direction of the scene of the tragedy, according to
Greenwood.
Dr. Crawford E.
Fritts and Dr. L. Van Hoesen, the physicians who made an
autopsy on the murdered man's body, described the nature of the wounds
made by the bullets and which caused death. They described
Hallenbeck as being five feet ten inches, weighting 170 pounds and in
perfect physical condition, which probably accounts for the length of
time he stood up against the volleys of bullets sent into him by the
murderers.
Burton Allerton
brought into court a piece of buffalo robe cut in the shape of chin
whiskers, which he found near where the horse of the murderers was
tied, while the deed was being committed. This is like the chin
whiskers so much desired by the Van Wormers when the masks were
purchased of the notion dealer in Kinderhook, which he could not
furnish, but which they remarked they could make themselves with a
piece of rope.
The inquest was adjourned until 10
o'clock to-morrow.
Source: The Post Standard, Syracuse, New
York, 31 December 1901
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Extraordinary Session of Supreme Court
to Try the Lads Charged With the Greenport Crime.
------
HUDSON, Jan. 18.--In
the Supreme Court to-day, with Judge D. Cady Herrick presiding, the
Grand Jury brought in an indictment of murder in the first degree
against Fred, Willis and Burton Van Wormer and Harvey Bruce for
Killing Peter A. Hallenbeck at Greenport on Christmas eve.
Alonzo H. Farrar was
assigned as counsel for Fred Van Wormer and former Judge J.
Rider Cady was named as counsel to Willis and Burton Van Wormer,
and to act as general counsel in the case for George M. Daly,
appointed as counsel for Harvey Bruce. The prisoners were
arraigned and pleaded not guilty.
After the indictments
were handed in, District Attorney Chace applied to Governor Odell for
an extraordinary session of the Supreme Court for the trial of the Van
Wormer brothers and Harvey Bruce, and the Governor will convene the
special session of the court the last week in March with Justice
Herrick presiding.
Source: The Post Standard, Syracuse, New
York, 18 April 1902
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
JURY OUT AT HUDSON
------
Fate of the Van Wormer Brothers in Its
Hands.
------
VERDICT MAY COME TO-DAY
------
Counsel Denies the Young Men Had Any
Intention of Killing Their Uncle-Tables Were Turned, He Says, When
Hallenbeck Produced a Weapon--Prisoners Break Down and Weep When Pleas
for Them Is Being Made by Attorney Farrar.
------
Special To The Post Standard.
HUDSON, April 17-- The
jury in the case of the three brothers Van Wormer, the young men on
trial for the murder of their uncle, Peter A. Hallenbeck, is now
considering what verdict they will bring in.
The attorneys finished
their addresses and the Judge charged the jury in the afternoon and at
4:40 o'clock the latter retired.
Realizing there was no
likelihood of receiving a verdict to-night, the Judge adjourned court
until to-morrow morning. It will reconvene at 9:30 o'clock.
When the trial of the
three brothers was resumed to-day, Alonzo H. Farrar, special counsel
for Frederick Van Wormer, began his address to the jury in behalf of
his client. He claimed that the boy was not guilty of the crime
charged in the indictment. He admitted that the Van Wormer boys
had gone to the Hallenbeck house in the manner shown at the trial, but
denied that they had any intention of killing their uncle.
NEVER INTENDED TO INJURE HIM.
"They went to their
uncle's house for fun," he said. "They were probably foolish,
but they never intended to injure his person."
Mr. Farrar contended
that the finding of the bullets in the walls and ceilings showed that
the boys had no intention of shooting Hallenbeck. He said that
the tables were unexpectedly turned on them when Hallenbeck seized
Burton and a desperate struggle began. Hallenbeck unexpectedly
produced a weapon and in the confusion there was a tragedy that no one
had anticipated.
While Farrar was making
his pleas the prisoners cried. It was their first show of strong
emotion since the trial began.
Former Judge Cady
followed Attorney Farrar and in opening said that in thirty years at
the bar he had never seen such a tragic, heartrending, soul racking
case.
No intention Of Committing Murder.
He argued that there
was an entire absence of premeditation and that when the Van Wormer
Boys went to the Hallenbeck house they had no intention of injuring
their uncle. He said that they had engaged a livery rig
publicly, had driven over well-traveled roads, had walked over the
snow and had made no effort to conceal their movements.
They also had taken
Harvey Bruce with them, and Mr. Cady insisted that if they planned
murder they would not have invit4ed a witness to be present.
He reviewed the
testimony as to the finding of the bullet marks on the walls and the
struggle, and said it was clear that the shooting was done at random
and not with the object of hitting Hallenbeck.
Source: The Post Standard, Syracuse, New
York, 18 April 902
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
FOUR YOUTHS FACE DEATH ON GALLOWS
They are Accused With Killing Peter
Hallenbeck
Last Christmas Eve at Greenport.
Feud is Alleged.
By Publishers' Press Direct Wire.
Hudson, N. Y., March
31,--The trial of Burton, Willis and Fred Van Wormer, brothers, and
their cousin, Harvey Bruce, for the murder of Peter A. Hallenbeck, at
Greenport, an uncle of the Van Wormer boys, last Christmas Eve, opens
at the term of the Supreme Court which convenes here today, Justice
Chester, of Albany, presiding.
Hallenbeck, who was a
well-to-do farmer, was called to his door while the inmates of his
house, except his invalid wife and aged mother, were at a church
entertainment not far distant. As the farmer opened the door,
masked men fired at him and he fell fatally wounded.
Mrs. Hallenbeck rushed
out of the house and told the story of the crime to those at the
church.
Evidence was quickly
secured which pointed to the three nephews as the murderers.
They were arrested at Kinderhook with Harvey Bruce, a cousin.
All four were later indicted for murder in the first degree.
A family feud had
existed between the Hallenbecks and Van Wormers for years. Peter
Hallenbeck had prospered but John Van Wormer, his brother-in-law, eked
out a precarious living as a river boatman. Before his death
however, Van Wormer managed to buy a cottage across the road from the
handsome home of his brother-in-law. It was mortgaged, however,
to Hallenbeck.
Although the latter
frequently aided the Van Wormers he finally, after John Van Wormer's
death, gradually withdrew all assistance and pressed the family for
the interest and principal. The mortgage was finally foreclosed
in September last and the Van Wormers were turned out. They
removed to Kinderhook, 16 miles away. This increased the hatred
of the brothers for the uncle and this was the alleged motive for the
crime. It is expected that the defense will try to prove an
alibi and the trial promises to prove one of great interest.
Source: The Trenton Times, Trenton, New
Jersey, 31 March 1902
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MURDERERS FOUND GUILTY
------
Three Young Men Convicted of Killing
Aged Uncle
Christmas Eve
------
HUDSON, N. Y., April
18.--The jury in the case of Burton, Willis and Frederick Van
Wormer, charged with the murder of their uncle, Peter A.
Hallenbeck, today returned a verdict of murder in the first degree
against the three accused.
The death sentence was
pronounced a few minutes after the jury brought in its verdict.
The crime was committed
last Christmas eve. Early in the evening of the day the three
brothers and Harvey Bruce, their cousin, who is also under indictment
for participating in the murder, drove to Hallenbeck's home at
Greenport, Columbia county. The young men wore false faces and
also wore their coats turned inside-out. Hallenbeck who was a
very old man, opened the door in response to their knocking and as he
did so they fired upon him, inflicting wounds from which he died in a
short time. At their trial, which lasted about two weeks, the
accused man declared they went to Hallenbeck's house merely for the
purpose of frightening him, with no thought of injuring him.
Bruce, who secured a
separate trial, testified against the brothers.
Source: Reno Evening Gazette, Reno,
Nevada, 18 April 1902
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BURIAL OF VAN WORMER BOYS.
Funeral Will Be Private--Interment in
Kinderhook Cemetery.
Hudson, N. Y.,
Oct. 3.--The bodies of Frederick, Willis and Burton Van Wormer, who
were electrocuted on Thursday at Dannemora prison, arrived at their
old home in Kinderhook. Undertaker Birchmyer removed the
bodies to the rooms of Mrs. Estella Van Wormer, their
step-mother.
The funeral will be
held this afternoon and will be private. The coffins will not be
opened. the burial will be in the Kinderhook cemetery, where the
body of Martin Van Buren rests. The feeling in Kinderhook is
strong against the cemetery commission in selling Mrs. Van Wormer a
lot for interment there.
Source: Altoona Mirror, Altoona
Pennsylvania, 3 October 1903.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE!
The city of Hudson has
again been visited by fire, which proved more destructive than an
former one. It took place on Tuesday evening last. The
following particulars are copied from the Columbia Republican, Extra,
which were gathered in haste, at 3 A. M. on Wednesday morning, after
the fire -- Catskill Recorder.
The fire broke out
between 8 and 9 o'clock in a stable occupied by Mr. Amiel Barnard,
situated in Chrerry-alley, in rear of a house on Union-street,
belonging, we believe, to the assignees of the late Bank of Hudson,
form thence it spread north to the wool warehouse and sattinet factory
of Mr. Jonathan Scott, to the dwelling house of the same
gentleman, and the buildings adjoining, across Warren-street,
Prison-alley, and to the house of Mr. Richard Macy. We
have enumerated the buildings destroyed as follows:
On Cherry-alley.--
One wool warehouse, one sattinet weaving factory, and nine barns.
Warren-street --
south side. -- The dwelling house of Mr. Scott, with a
sattinet weaving factory immediately adjoining; one belonging to the
estate of David Lawrence, Esq. deceased; the old,
building formerly occupied as the Bee printing office; a dwelling and
a grocery, all belonging to the estate of the late Hezekiah Dayton;
and a brick dwelling occupied by Capt. Edward Jenkins.
Warren-street --
north
side. -- A dwelling house belonging to and occupied by Fletcher
M. Beekman, Esq.; two belonging to Doct. John Tallman; one owned by
Mrs. Lindsey; one owned by Mr. Hubbell, occupied as a shoe store and a
dwelling house; and one belonging to the estate of the late
Abisha Barnard, with the out houses attached to each.
[Source: The Ithaca Journal, 27
July 1825, volume: VIII, Issue 51, page 2]
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