The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-01
From the Sunday HERALD

Suspected Accessory to tho Horrid Deed
-Recovcry OF tho stolen gold lever Watch
Great Meeting of Citizens Mt Staten
Island Last Evening.
One O'CLOCK, SUNDAY MORNING.
| One of our corps of interchangeable reporters has
just arrived from the scene of the horrld murders
on Staten Island in the fast sailing clipper Mngo,
with the above important intelligence exclusively
for the readers of the Herald. The excitement in
the vicinity of the murder most intense last
evening, and meeting of several hundred citizens
was held at short notice, the proceedings of which
| will be found below.
| During the investigation before the Coroner sus
picions excited duplicating PollyBodne, SEN,
rs the person who had committed the murders,
which suspicious grew stronger and stronger until
Friday evening, but being the sister of Captain G..
E. Houseman, the husband Of the murdered wife
and father of the child, they were allayed
until it was ascerained, that at about dusk
on that evening she had left the premises OF
her fathers house where she had remain
ed since the discovery of the murder, hav-
ing previously resided with the unfortunate
deceased Her absence immediately confirmed all
previous suspicious. and trace being made it was
found that she had taken passage in the steamboat
from Staten Island for this city that left yesterday
morning. In the meantime all was excitement at
Granite Village, the scene of the murder, which is
about one mile and half from Port Richmond
landing. In the course of the morning GeorgeWaite,
an apolh~cary and physician, Of 252 Canal street,
arrived at Port Richmond in the steamboat accom-
panied by son of Polly Bodine, named Albert,
| aged about sixteen years, who has been in
his employ.
The peculiar connexion that hasexisted between
| Waite and this woman, prompted those interested
in tracing the murderess, to him to be placed
in custody for examination. A letter from her was
found IN his possession, and other circumstances
afterwards TRANSFERRED that led to full belief by
the magistrate before whom he was examined,
that he had either visited the Island to aid in her
escape, or knew her whereabouts in this city. He
was still under examination when our reporter left
at late hour last evening.
In the course of the day, yesterday, it was dis
covered that the valuable gold lever watch that
had been stolen from the premises Of Captain House
man after the murders were committed, had been
left at pawnbroker's shop in this city on Monday
: last by woman resembling Polly Bodine in every
particular. This watch taken to the police, and
placed in possession OF Justice Matsell, who, with
officer McGraih, repaired to the scene Of the muir
der Yesterday afternoon. AS soon as they arrived
at Port Richmond, and learned the arrest of
Waite, they Immediately returned to this city
and most probably arrested the supposed murderess
\ during the night, although they had not when our
: paper went to press this morning
i John J. Van Pelt, the father of the deceased, on
/, Tuesday last the day of the funeral, publicly
!, declared his solemn belief that Polly Bodine was
: the murderess, but suspicion not then strong
enough to warrant her arrest, although 1t was
her examlnation before the coroners She rep
n resented as bold, determined woman, whose cha
N racer on certain points has long been questioned
,e Her husband. Andrew Bodlne, is now in Sing Sing
se State prison, where he sentenced a charge
: of bigamy He was originally man OF consider
able property and character but after the marriage
a. with this woman, Urom her conduct is alleged,
o. became incorporate and debased She finally left
= him and he married another woman, named Sarah
t Simpson, of habits similar to his own-who oui
Is readers will remember was found dead in her bed
20 about two years since. He was then arrested oi
il her MURDER but there not sufficient testimony
to convict him, and he was tried on the charge o.
bigamy and sent to the State prison.
K The meeting of citizens Of Staten Island was helo
last evening" previous to which the following hand
bill was circulated
"HoprIp Mupprn AND AnsoS ON Stain IsLAsp.-Th,
inhabitants of Richmond County requested to meet
the house of John NJ Gaylord Granite Village, satur
day evening 3Oth inst for the purpose of Investigating
the circumstances attending the murder OF Mrs Georg
.y Ilousemnn and child"
20 Long previous to the hour of meeting the hous
was filled to overlooking by the anxious and homes
: | citizens of that vicinity Rumor upon ruInor wa
en- circulated through the crowd until the time arrived
It when Judge LITTLE was called TO the char
e and Judge CRorsy appointed secretary The for
s mer gentleman called the meeting to order with
few remarks relative TO the affecting circumstance
=, He was followed by Capt. George w Gantz ant
he Mr. Phelps who urged the utmost vigilance on thu
re part of the whole assemblage, TO investigate tn,
n horrid alrocity that had stained the character O
the peaceable and orderly citizens OF that county.
Mr.. DIsTRIcT ATTORNEY, CLARK, then presented
the following resolutions, which were adopted -
Resolved That it is the of this meeting that thu
he late arocous crime perpetraed midst calls for thu
Id active vigilance of every citizen and officer Of this county
W. devote his unrcmited efforts to the detection of tn
guilty
Resolved, That considerations OF private natur
should have influence to prevent the police officers thi
county dschargng their duty most rgdly and tina
the reasonable expenses Of the officers of justice in do
On ing should be paid by the county and no person SHOULD
hesitate to thorough personal examination, and rig
search Of person premises thought necessary by suc
Z officers
~ On motion of GEORGE w. CAN'T the following
Of gentlemen were selected by the District Attorne,
e as committee of citizens to aid in the detection
d. of the person persons concerned in the murders
s, H. B. Cropsy, r. ID. Little, George w. Gantz
r John T.. Harrison and Daniel G. Crocheron.
ID District Attorney CLARK then remarked that III,
ne character of the investigation required that /
Is should proceed in private and called upon all pre-
- sent as well all tn" citizens OF the county no
c. to take exceptions object to search OF thei
" premises or examination before the commissions
and committee, if it was considered necessary il
l. the detection of the offenders. He then ofere,
o the following resolution, which was adopted
Resolved That we the citizens Of the county, will d.
h. oil in power individually and collectively TO obtn
information and follow Oft the suspicious and reports
communicat the result TO the members Of this committee
and will Also by every other means forward the object
y. Of this investigation.
" The name of DIR. T.. Clark was then added to tn
re committee, and the meeting then adjourned Il
&c Monday evening next.
Is The impression is that Mrs. Houseman, the de-
n n ceased, was Supplied with some drug before tn
Il murder was committed, and. from C lose examna