The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-12-23
From the Ncw-Yorkcr.
MOST HORRIBLE MURDER.


We mentioned last week the sudden disap
poarance of Mr.. Suydam, the President OF the
Mechanics Bank at New Brunswick, n. J.
The mystery has been solved: eleven days az
ter he was last seen. his body was found, shock
insly mutilared, and in such a condition as not
to leave the shadsw of doubt that he came to
his death by one OF the most fendish murders
that ever stained the aDnrls Of crime. The
circumstances connected with this affair arc
briefly these.
Some time since. Mr.. Suydam sold 10 one
Peter Robinson, u carpenter. who resided ~
New Brunswick for some ten or twelve years,
and who has always heretofore boruo respec-
table character, 10, of ground OF bond and
mortgage for S7s0. lie also advanced him
some money to build house. About the lsi
inst. he Withdrew from the bank n note for S75
which he held against Robinson, saying that he
was goiug to settle with him. On the 3d inst
at about o'clock in the morning, he left home,
saying that lie was going TO the Bank since
which time. until within few days, hls fate
has remained unknown.
On Sunday last, ten days after Mr. Suydam's
disappearance. Peter Robinson met Mr.. Ed
mnnds of New Brunswick. and told him that he
had paid The mortgage on the house and lot. bui
he was afraid 10 get his bend cancelled, lest they
should suppose he had Murdered Mr.. Snydam.
This struck Mr.. Edmonds rs being very sttange,
since. only few days before, Robinson had
asked credit for some lumber which he had
b0ugh of him. On Monday evening he called
upon Robinson, and questioned him very close
" about the money with which he had paid the
morCagc he declared that it had belonged TO
his wife, and had been in the house for
eighteen months. Hc said, too, that he had
paid Mr.. Suydam himself at his private house,
and went in by the bach door-that he paid ex-
actly $3.50, and Mr.. :. said nothing about the
interest, and the money consisted of $500 in
gold, and the rest in State Bank notes. Mr..
Edmonds was, however. unsatisfed with this
story, and told him he believed he knew some
thing Of Mr.. Suydam's death. but he would not
make his suspicion public il he would give him
a satisfactory account of how he became pos
Sesscd Of the money. Robinson turned very
J pale 1T the time, but soon after rallied and
! promised to see Mr.. Edmond. again at o'clock.
lie called upon him at that time, but still his
answers were unsatisfactory.
I Mr.. Edmonds then went to the Mayor and
told him his suspicious, and they went, accom-
panied by another person, To the prisoner S
house. lie WAS then questioned about the
bond and mortgage. and asked il they were re-
cemrd; he said they were, and. upon being
pressed, produced them, aud also the policy %
insurance, The seal was torn from the bond
but 1t was not rcccipted. lie was asked whcr
he paid the bond but then said he paid it t,
Mr.. Suydam At the Bank y short time after
was executed. 1t appeared, however, that th
policy Of insurance was deposited five month
> subsequent 10 the time.
lie was then conveyed to The Office Of the Jus
iice TO be examined in due form, while son,
others wen, TO search his house. The exam
nation was frutless until they went into the lror
cellar. where The flooring was discovered I
l have been lust Laid down, rs the workmen saiC
: by Mr.. Robinson himself. who had worked al
l the whole Of the "Wednesday night previous
Z This they removed, and after digging SON
y three feet bclow the surface, they drew fort
D Ire manglej remains of Mr.. Suydnn. III
body was in a doubled position, completely dres
r ed except his hat which has not been dIsco'
! cred and Sis head had deep wound upon III
= back, aud two large cuts across the top.
. The intelligence was Immediately conveys
to the office where the prisoner was under ei
= animation, who heard il without moving nu
Gle.
1 The examination has been since CONTINUED
aud the evidence sleted leaves little doubt OF
prisoners guilt. The note which Nr. Suyda
q withdrew from The Bank has been ,nund in Ro'
!, inson's possession. aud his younger BROTHER ie
u tiies that he offered him $50 within a few da,
. if he would set his house on fire, as he did NJ
! like TO sleep in II. Another brother. from b
u prevaricating testimony. is supposed Of beiu
accessory TO the act. The prisoner is found. a
n so. to have sold. under zs assumed name.
81 gold watch which formerly belonged to the d.
= ceased. There is much more evidence. whic
. We have no, spaes TO give, but which 6xcs q
y guilt uron Robinson beyond reasonable douh
" lie Is said to be naturally OF harmless aud II
= offensive character and to have belonged
Is the PIesbytsiian Church, rh,r. be attended Q