The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-03
Further Particulars OF the Murder M
staten Island.
PoRr RICHMOND, New YEARS NIGHT


this place. An hours steaming brought us to the
wharf At New Brighton, and there had well nigh
passed the night. My want OF knowledge OF the
island neverhaying been here before, led me to
supnose that had arrived my destination, so far
as the steamboat was concerned, so l Jumped
ashore and made for the hotel, where learned to
nv surprise that the steamboat was going to the We
nv spot. l tried to procure a wagon, but not one
was to be had and while making enquiries a cir
cumstance occurred which think worthy OF note,
AS showing the state of feeling throughout the
island called at a house on the hill immediately
above the landing to enquire tor the livery stables
to which had been directed, but which could
not for the life OF me ind, as every house appeared
aliKe-timber and paint-venetlan blinds and portl-
After ringing the bell Two or three times, a
servant came the hall window, and after recon-
noitering he carefully undd the bolts, opening the
door sufficiently wide to admit single person
explained my visit, and while he was giving me
very indefinite sort OF direction, had time to OBJ
serve that the hall contained several stand OF well
polished muskets with bayonets and all complete,
ready for immediate service. THIS s was the only
sied me that the late murder had startled the quiz
ct Islanders into state of almost siege, when the
mu sket and the bayonet were needed TO guard the
wife, the MOTHER and the child. tried by every
means to get a horse and wagon to go to Richmond,
which nine miles distant, and where the pri-
confined in the county Jail, bptmost for
tunately did not succeed, for should have had
most uncomfortable aunt over a rough road, In
cold night, without my overcoat, and without be-
ing able to gain as much information as have IN
the village of Port Richmond Finding 1t needless
To waste any more time at New Brighton, started
on foot for this place, at halt past five, and arrived
here at quarter to 6, the distance being three miles
Twas Just in time to sit down tos very substantial
supper of good corned beef and fried oysters while
Mrs. Martin, very good-natured hostess, prepared
me strong cup Of tea. was in excellent appe-
3 good things spoken of, found that the brother
of the prisoner, Waite, was at the. table;
He spoke very sharply about the reports which had
participation of his brother in the murder, observ
ing that he could and would prove an abb but
this | fear will not avail him anything. Cir
cumstances are too strong against him to hope
even for bail. His brother is so satisfied
of his innocence that he has not employed any
counsel. This is strange, as both the father and
himself are repued as wealthy ny Inc brother is
which will take place at nine o'clock Tomorrow.
He applied for permission to visit Waite, blu!
was refused pereemptorily, as the sheriff had
to speak or converse with the prisoners
Great praise is due to the District Attorney,
Clarke, for the skill and experience which he has,
BILE murder. lie IS very young man, not over
twenty-five years yet in this mater he has display
world, which few older heads filing the same re- re-
sponsible office can boast Of. His suspicious of
the guilt, or rather the connection Of one of the
Houseman family with the murder, was first
cd in tins wise. On the evening after the CbrOner's
Inquest had given their verdict, he had some con-
Fersation with the unfortunate husband relative to
offering the reward. II was then agreed that the
husband should call on the District Attorney in the
morning, to prepare an advertisement to be for
warded to this city by the early boat. The morn
ing came but instead of the husband, the boy AL
bert, son OF Polly Bodine, called TO say that the
husband was sick, and requesting the District At
,.9vuey to come to the house He did so, and on
me Gay conversed with the lad Albert, who he
ener thought frank, intelligent lad At the house
n ne anne red n n matt
deep, so natural, dispensation awful would
produce. lie sat down, and in the presence of the
family the husband detailed the description of the
property and jewellery stolen, Polly Bodne sitting
by the side OF that husband, and carefully noting
each article as 1t was written down. That lnvisi-
bic power which gives birth to thought and leads
and irresistible, told him that there was guilt in that
family, and he then resolved that another investl-
CATION should be held.
However, suspicion might have been fixed
on Polly Bodlne by others, up to. that mo,
ment the District Attorney did not believe it, and
he was joined IN this opinion by DR.. Harrison, one
OF the most upright, Intelligent, deep thinking
on the island as also by many Others But that
= interview at the house of the IIouseman decided
the crisis. He felt that he was beneath the same
.roof with the actor in the unhalowed tragedy, and
the resolved to ferret it out comesYhat would, or
n be the cost how great He went 20 the city, put
hthe advertisements in the papers, made his arrange
sa T pUc eve ass f. s
afather's house. Il was in this wise Just after
~ susk-she had been sitting with her sister and
some relatives beside the kitchen, hearth the
subject OF conversation being the blight of their
brothers house-when she arose and went into the
(, yard, without bonnet or cloak Not returning very
soon, her sister called her. but receiving answer
the hue and cry raised The District Attorney
hastened TO the house, and found her gone. Her
mother, in grief, not over-done, exclaimed-"Oh |!
know she has drowned herself-she has destroyed
herself-and all because OF this suspicion having
been cast upon her. 1t 8 no use TO look for her.
I'll never her alive again." and such other SIM
liar expressions. Yet through the grief there was
something wanting, which spoke more than words,
that that mother was not sincere, at least, Tor her
return Fifty messengers were despatched by the
District Attorney and so confident was he that Pro-
vldence had pointed out the author of the crime,
that he told the messengers If they succeeded
IN experimenting her they would obtain the reward.
II was at this visit that he first became aware oil
the existence of paramour But of the name or
man he was ignorant. No tldings being obtained,
throughout the night, of Polly Bodlnc, he started
IN the hrst boat for the city, and gave the alarm.
He returned in the eleven O'Clock Joat and here
mark the same guide which so frred him to trace
this damnablc mystery. On boa.d that boat he found
the lad Albert, together with strange man. Albert
was crying, and on the District Attorney approach
Ing HIM, he introduced this man as Mr. Waite, the
apothecary, with whom he was employed. The
lad was crying for his mother, who he heard had
made away with herself. So far the boy was TO be
plted. The conduct and the replies Of the man
Waite impressed the District Attorney that
comforting with Judge Little, who was returning
with him to hold the invcstigaton-he determined
TO detaln hun a witness. They landed, and here
the District Attorney learned that Polly Bodine
went to the city in the first boat that morning,
from the Quarantine station, distance of
about nine miles from her fathers house, which
she had left the preceding evening. Where
she passed the night is yet to the public mystery.
Waite and Albert rode to Houscman's in a carriage
and Immediately returned to proceed back to the
city,and while waiting the wharf the subpoena OF
the District Attorneywas served upon him. lie made
every sort OF excuse to be permitted to visit the
elty, promising that he would return the next day
and be examined as to any thing which might be
required, and so far did it go,tha DR.. Harrison and
others nterfered for him, but while the boat wa
coming in, il was reported that Polly Bodne had
been found. Albert on this news refused to return
the city, and the officer brought them both to the
rouse. where Judge Little and the District Attorney