The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-07
The staten Island Murticr-Conm1ttal OF
Waite,

The preliminary examination, 80 far as WI ate II
concerned, was concluded at quarter past tour
yesterday evening, after two weeks close and
perseverins enquiry. The community have much
reason TO rejoice that in such crisis, men such as
Mr.. Commissioner Phelps, and the excellent though
young District Attorney Clarke, can be found who,
regardless of personal comfort of the risk of popu-
arty, and almost of health, are ready to discharge
so important duty. The examination has often
been continued from early morning until past mid
night, and every means within the power of the
law have been employed to track the guilty to their
very doors A fearful retribution surely awaits
them for the commission of a murder cruel, un-
natural and as revolving ashas ever been commit
ted in the country. The committee OF investIga-
uon, composed of Judges Cropsy and Little,
Messrs. ,iantz, Harrison and Cocheron, have faith
fully discharged their duty, and it is also due
to the Sheriff and the gentlemen who voluntarily
aided in the capacity Of officers and guards TO
state that they were prompt, energetic and unre-
uniting in their attention during the entire time
Indeed, the feeling on the part Of every inhabitant
of the island Just, and properly manifested, in
the readiness with which they submitted to the
wishes of the court, and aided by their presence
and their counsel the furherance of the objects of
the enquiry. Officer Baker, of the New York Po-
lice, rendered essential service in hunting up wit
nesses, and in aiding the District Attorney ia the
search of the premises OF Waite. as..
| The examination Of Polly Bodine will take place
on Monday or Tuesday, when it is expected that
she will be sufficiently recovered to be able TO be
present. The portrait in yesterdays Herald was
said by all 10 be most correct one, and to-day we
present the portrait of Waite, which is also adj
mirabIe likeness. The following is the evidence
given before the Commissioner yesterday
SATURDAY, December 9th, 1874
EXAMINATION CONTINUED.
SAMUEL E. brewer recalled.-On this day two weeks
called Waes store in Canal street between the hours
of eight and nine A. NJ Waite and his clerk there;
am his landlord, and my business with him to tell
him that he pay me back dues In answer he
replied that he had no money for On Saturday
ming last was at his shop about O'Clock, when the off
searching. called at this time to enquire if he
ready pay me heard that the officers search
ing the houses procured the keys from Mr. Busscnden,
search "a memorandum book is here shown witness)
do not recoec having seen that book that night
at any time in the possession Of waite remained out
officers "a leather money wallet is shown, also mar
BILE covered passbook) recognise the wallet think
but the On the Saturday previous to the
murder recoilect that Waite said he would in few days
have Sufficient to pay me- he owed at the time sac 49,
sand dollars in trust for him Aibert) When stated my
intentions to dispose of the house. he asked what
money, and mortgage for $4,000. asked him if he
pected to purchase; he replied 81 don't know what may
vious the murder 1.-THE prisoner very busy taking
notes of this mans testimony do not think it possible
there the arrest of Waite had the keys unless
when delivered them to the persons from the island. On
years day the Alderman of the ward had the key if
any pcrs gained must have been by the back
window, my mother told me she had examined the
store, and it not fastened; fastened it ycstc
Crosseromination.-I led to postpone the time of
evying in consequence Of the promise Of Waite to have
the money By Waite III did not think that Waite had
any intention purchase the time he asked the price
thought it was matter of speculation.
Direct resumtd-Wate is poor man, not in bad cir
cumstsnces, but he could not pay his rent
Crosserannd ton.-At the time | called for my money
did not think the ava of the store were 50 small as he
had represented and said he must be paying other debts
and mine; believed when he made the excuse that he
expected money! that he was going to get somebody to
portion Of his stock to pay me.
Direct resumed-I certainly led TO believe from
what he said at the time that he expected of
from quarter other do not think probable that
Waite offered to sell portion Of his stock to pay me-
ALBERT BoDINE, sworn. am the son oil Polly Bodine
| met my mother the morning OF Christmas day at the
nine o'clock b92t in New York. think il was The first
store left her alone with Waite for about five mi
nutes while | doing crrand to the basement;
edge on my up stairs Waite sent the lower
market for leg OF muton never heard the leg OF NUT
ton spoken OF before now; told him the near market wa
closed then he said 20 down to the Bear Washington)
market; told him that must be closed too as butchers
wanted holiday well Others he told me if that
n Washnn or he insisted on my
going did 60 and not positive, but is my impress
sion that Left him and my mother together gone
hour and quarter; bought the leg OF mutton in
Greenwich street; when returned think he told me
where To- asked Why she did not stay for dinner he re
piled that she had eaten about half hour after
wards my mother came in with some new years cake
aud some dough nuts; she remained in the store
but short time; did not take notice of any CONVEX
,aton between Waite and my mother at the time; after
my mother had left asked who the Oaks for Waite
said he believed the large was for my mother
left the time, asked her where she going, and
ing to Mrs did give any reason at the time
hat remember; next saw her on Tuesday morn
ing following; my uncle smith Freeman left the store
about quarter mast ten, and she in about five mi
mites aiterwad5 she about half hour there my
uncle mp to let mother know that my aunt Eme
line and child had been murdered and the house on
fire; down TO MIR Strangs my mother told me she
going to sleep there when went there they told
she had not there had they her; while
running about searching for my cap Waite asked me
somewhat strange and unusual in such case when my
Emeline was burned after Smith Freeman left hav
ing told me that my mother must come down by the very
boat, Waite said TO me ghaf you in such hurry
for its dued good thing for you that your aunt Emtine
dead" he made rebukng expression for my going
Strang's; he usually called me afoo was highly
cited after returned from strangs cannot distinctly
collect how whether Waite chided my return;
in the meantime my mother returned; going to wait
for my mother before went down the Island think
| am pretty near positive that while ! was in the
when up stairs they were in the basement my
| mother did not say much she was in hurry Waite
asked why we were in such hurry replied that the
boat would start after got ready went and bought
this coat0he overcoat he wearng)-.4s my mother
rh TO go TO the boat she handed The memoran-
DUN book pih the papers ii she said she oud
| able ,yiM him did not know what she meant but
supposed Waite knew all about never the book
hut about twice before it was tied with string Waite
generally keeps his books in his desk which Is always
locked next that book the day before yesterday,
when went to the shop went round the counter and
directly opened the desk and the book lay conspicu
that said this is the book officer Baker and
another stout man was standing by when pulled out
the book officer Baker appeared somewhat astonished,
and turning round the other man, said, 81 thought
ker then took the book in charge last Friday week
carried a note to Waite from my mother it was written
leaves torn from book and scwed together mother
told TO tell Waite to come down ] came to the city
on the Friday afternoon and told Waite the message he
| came down with Saturday morning in the half
| past ten o'clock boat requested him to go in the
| first boat, my mother was most anxious to see