Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-01-12
HoRRID MURDER AND ARSON ON STA
TEN ISLAND

We Just learn from David Van Name, |
one Of the most respectable citizens of the
north side of Staten Island, that horrId
crime was committed, probably on Sunday
night last, in that vicinity.
Last evening, about eight o'clock, the
house Of Capt. Geo. Housman about mile
south of port Richmond, on the Richmond
road, was discovered to be on fire. Captain
Housman was at sea. The neighbors rush
ed to the spot, but the fire had already OBJ
tanned great Roadway. Finding no one
moving about, they concluded that Mrs
Ilousinan was absent, and therefore broke III.
They found the floor of the upper story had
burnt through, and when the flames we're
extnguished, discovered to their infinite
horror, beneath the bedstead and bed-cloth-
ing of Mrs. Housman's room, on the lower
floor, the charred remains of Mrs. Hous-
man and her infant child.
The conjecture is that the house had
been broken into on the preceding night
its inmates murdered, its property rllled,
and then slow fire made which did not
burst out till last night
Capt Ilousman reached home from Nlr-
ginia in the Schr. Wing this morning, to
learn the heart rending intelligence. He
was known to be well off, and particularly
to have received $1,000 Just before he
sailed, which with handsome gold watch
he left ut home. This md other property
in the house, is supposed to have led to the
horrid crime; as neither watch nor money
had been found when orr informant left.
Mrs Housman was a daughter Of John |.
Van Pet, and about 81 years of age. The
child was 10Th months old
The excitement in the quiet and eminent
" respectable neighborhood, where these
crimes occurred, is, as may be imagined,
very greatly. Y. american.
Murder and Arson Case Of Staten Isl
dnd.-Some light seems at length to be
thrown on this mysterious alfnir The APP
pearance of the body Of Mrs. llousman, and
some circumstances connected with its dis
coverY, induced the Coroner'S Jury to bring
in verdict Of wiful murder though the
criminal was unknown. Suspicion, howev-
err, has rested from the first on the sister of
Mr.. Housman, named Polly Bodlne. She
slept with Mrs. IlouSman on Saturday night
previous to the murder, and left the house
according to her own statement at five o.
clock on Sabbath morning for New York.
Tho night before was the last slime Mrs.
IIousman was seem The fact that the
house had been shut up since that night, and
Mrs. Eousman not seen, united with the
bad character of Mrs. Bodine she having
for some time lived separate from her hus-
band and not very reputable life, directed
suspicion Oh her Her husband is now in
Sing-Sing for higamy. He was tried for
the murder of his second wife, but the tes-
timony was not sufficient to convict him. -
Mr. George Waite, apoihecary, 252 Canal
Street, visited Staten Island with son of
Polly Bodine, on Saturday evening. The
Connection that existed between them caus-
ed him to be arrested aud examined A let
ter was found on him from that woman, re-
questing some drug, with which it is sup
posed Mrs Eousman was supplied previous
to the murder.
Yesterday the premises Of Waite were
examined and several articles of Polly Boz
dine were found in room in the building
The gold watch that was missing was also
found in the premises of Mr.. Adophus
pawn broker in William street. These
facts increased the suspicion against Polly
Bodine, and the Police were on the look
out for her during all the morning. Abou
one O'Clock she was recognized by Mr. Cod
dington, Jr., son of Mr.. COddingion of thu
Horse Bazaar, Watt street, who took her t
Alderman Vandervoort's, but not finding
him at home, proceeded to his fathers sta
bles where he met him, who immediatel
took her to the Police Office in Centr
street
She was much overcome in appearing be
fore the Magistrate, but asserted her lnno
cence Of the charges, stating that if she hat
any choice she would prefer being the muir
deress rather than being accused of so fou
a deed. She stated that she left Staten Isl
and by the 8 O'Clock boat on the day of tn
murder, and left the house before o'cloc|
A. NJ.
She vas then taken into back room
and strictly searched by Mr.. Calender, tn
Clerk, but found nothing upon her. She sta
ted that she had left a reticule in church il
Duane street; and again that it was il
Spring street An officer was sent to bot
places but could find nothing.
No questions were asked her-but MI
Adophus, the pawnbroker in William St
TO whom the watch had been pledged, wa
sent for, and on arriving he fny identlie
her as the person who had pawned it.
The unfortunate and wretched femal
was then placed in a carriage and accom-
panied by Justice Merritt Mr.. Callendel
and officers McGrath and Dunshee, take
over to Staten Island
The circumstances are very much agains
the wretchcd woman, aud it must DE in
measuribly to the grief of Mr. IIousman t
feel that his own sister is the murderes
of his wife and babe The thousand do
lars which was concealed on the premise,
led doubtless, to the commission of tn