The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-13


Poisoning t-Strange and Mysterious Az
fair-Dcath or A. r. scuddcr-His Sister,
Mrs. PennOyer, suspected OF the Crime.
We learned last evening, the following particulars
OF most singular and mysterious affair lit appears
that Abraham r. Scudder an old resident of Hobo
ken, aged 40 years, who kept grocery store, and
who had been unwel for two three days past died
on Sunday morning last Mrs. Pennoyer his sis
ter, attended him Saturday and Saturday evening
Marcus Cranch, respectable citizen was also there,
but left early IN the evening" at the suggestion Mrs.
Penmayer, who remained alone with MIR. Scudder,
until Sunday morning, when her son-in-law arrived
from this city. Mrs p, who is rather good look
ing widow, gave notice Of her brothers death. The
neighbors came in, but he was cold and stiff. The
Coroner, Charles L. Perry, was called and proceeded
to hold an inquest on the body. The jury ex-
amined several witnesses, but nothing of importance
appearing, a verdict of Died by the visitation of
God" was rendered. The Coroner then proceeded
deceased Scudder had, few days previous, ex-
hbited to various persons his gold watch, 800 in
bank bills, and handful of gold eagles and half
eagles. These could not be found, little silver
money only remaining, where he usually kept it,
in the bureau. Mrs. Pennoyer was then inter-
rogated and stouty denied all knowledge Of either
the money or the watch.
BY direction of the Coroner she was watched, and
shortly afterwards she went into the store part Of
the house to the clock, and saying, "Oh! Unjust wind
up the clock, opened the door, and putting her hand
in, drew forth the watch It was observed, and
handed to the Coroner, who then demanded OF her
the money. She denied, however, all knowledge of
it, but upon being threatened with search warrant
she admitted having it, and was taken into room
and her clothes searched by two ladies' They found
secreted her person IN an under garment, eleven
and half eagles one eagle, ninety dollars In bills,
another package containing fifteen dollars, in glove
one half eagle, and also paper containing white
powder, some small black and some white pills. All
these articles the Coroner took possession Of.
Shortly afterwardsM Mrs. Pennoyer came down and
demanded the powder and pills, as she wished to
take some medlcine-but both were refused. An
for the first time, the idea went abroad that there
had been foul play. The Coroner determined to
make a post norton examination. Accordingly
yesterday morning Drs Cooke, Olcott and Gautier
made the examination, and having taken out the
stomach the celebrated chemist, Dr. Chiffon, of this
city, assisted by Dr. Cooke, analysed its contents
and found il contained large quantity of arsenic
The powder found upon Mrs. y. was also tested
with like resultant upon examination portion
OF the same poisonous drug was found in the pit
cher out of which the sick man had dank during the
night.
Scudder was buried yesterday about O'Clock
P. M: Meanwhile Justice John G. Spear, assisted
by }. w. Scudder, Esq, District Attorney. proceed
ed to examine witnesses in relation to this extraor
binary affair-the facts above stated appearing in
evidence. Mrs. Pennoyer was arrested, and after
examination, was committed to the county Jail to
await the action Of the Grand Jury at the Hudson
Oyer and Temlner, in June
Mr.. Scudder had been doing for some time past a
good business-but was fond Of froic and drinking.
He leaves son about l6 years Of age.
OPENING OF THE CASTLE GARDEN-BRrLLIANr
SUccEss.-The opening of this magnificent place Of
amusement for the summer season, took place last
night, and the display made the occasion certain
y promises that it will remain a most popular re-
treat. The weather was favorable; the heat Of
sultry day had subsidized, and the air was nvitingy
cool and balmy from the effects of the afternoon
shower; the breeze from the South blew gently up
the bay, and there was withstanding the invita-
ton sent forth by the eneprsing proprietors, who
have been at enormous expense to fit tup, to be pre-
sent at the opening scene.
BY 7o'clock-half an hour after the entrance was
opened, the various walks on the battery were
thronged with ladies and gentlemen, on their way
to the Garden and ere the next half hour elapsed,
footsteps Of those who taking up their places
as fancy dictated. large proportion went first to
the gallery, the front seats of which became mme
diatey occupied. About the same was observable
hearing not only of the delicious strains Of Semi
ramide, but to be able to hear the calculations of
the voices of the artists.
As detailed description has already been given
of the nteror1of the garden lately, it is unnecessa
ry to repeat it in detail here but as on no former
occasion it appeared to the same advantage, it may
improved the coup del. To the spectator stationed
IN central position, by the fountain, the view
around the ediice was really fine. Not less than
between three and four thousand spectators could
being ladies', their position in the front seats,
responding to the dress circle, was happy DISPOSE
ton of the audience. The beautifulmniature foun-
tain, whose waters kept in play until the commence
mi Of fbp tncfa tod
choice collection OF flowers around the circular edge
of the railing which encloses it. The dome, with
Its superb neurological representation in fresco, and
ing LA trophe de Ia pair, sparkled like gems; the
latter, the rising of the CURTAIN greeted with
round Of applause, partly perhaps, in addition to
Its merit because the subject the triumph of peace
regarded as significantly appropriate to the pre-
sent times.
The piece selected for the evening was the Italian
opera of "Semiramide." twill be recolected that
the hands of the present company composed Of the
well known names OF Signora Pico, Signors Vael-
Ina, Antognini, Sanquirico, &c. In addition to
them other performers Of decided merit have been
Gent The orchestra numbers full thirty; Mr.. Beames
the leader, and Mr. Keyser, gentleman of whom
we have seen many flattering notices violnst.
But where is Signor RapeuI? Where is he whose
services contributed to establish the reputation Of
the operate performers at Palmo's? Messrs French
and !leiser will! do well to think of Sig. Rapetti,
and II producable secure his services.
II is not requisite to crlticise Semramdc" over
again; suffice it to say, that Signora Pco with
very warm receptions and although the audience was,
throughout, in as COOP hnmor as any audience could
be, and were prodigaI of their appreciation to all the
leading performers, they gave point and emphasis
to it, in the case of Pco, not to be mistaken. We
must also observe that Miss DEUCE won many
plaudits; nothing could be finer than the duct be-
tween these two ladies' at the opening of the second
part. During the performance there was not muir
mur-not breath heard-the thousands were as
calm as the sleeping fountains it was unquestionaby
triumph
There is desire, nor is there any room, to find
fault; and yet pleased as all seemed to be, we pre-
dict even great improvement in the singers, and
also In the orchestra From the great size of the
area, over which it is desirable TO send its melody,
the voice accustomed to a confined scene will
be slightly at fault this will form no impcdiment
heres such will not give way 10 practice; and tits
satisfactory to know that the voices Of several of