New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-20
THE TRIBUNE.
The Auburn Murder.

IL n
The Auburn Murder.
The Syracuse Star of Tuesday contains likeness
If the murderer taken in his cell by an artist of that
Mace. The face exhibits evidences OF that settled
malignity of disposition and determination OF pur'
pose which we should naturally expect to lind In
the features Of such criminal The Star also gives
the following statement respecting The me ana coaf
acter of the murderer. and the MOVIES "hich eo 70
the crime taken from his own lips after his incar
ceration:
yyiHa,, Freeman the murderer was born in
Auburn ia 1928 His father dead-his mother still re-
aides in Auburn. He had only one brother ss we are
informed Dan Fireman. who was hang as oCr c,'<sn'
xj yecolect in this place for killing bis supposed VIE
or a rhie woman with whom he lveo iew Je' asG
William is rniddlng sized man about iee' % 'ncaes
high. and will be seen by Ine e1O. 1900, 10 9 oa
nv Ms chronological and other oeVeopfnenls 10 Nan
~ fcw proroinent traits except hts viLaues
yybep he WIS quite young, and before ne went te pr
or he became offended 1t young woman where hs
s 49,, for some trivial offence. and drew knife and
rn,hed upon her with the intention OF taxing her HE
Che escaped however and he WAS permitted TO escape
punishment by making promise 10 oena'e hlusen IN
futute. -. LII In ?
vears ago last fall at which time he was convicted OF
stealing horse, and sentenced 10 nve years lnplisoh
nent m the State Prison where he remained until last
Fail Since his release from prison he hss had no par
bcul.r emo!oyment Has boarded with woman IN
Auburn who taxes Ia WdsnAg Ph!U oOeiu oS W.
Ing chores and errands for her.
AZ the tune Of his arrest five years ago Van Nest was
an acting Justice for the town Of Fleming ana asue1 inc
for his arrest, es Is tated IN Tue ioes'n mum
roo the poIice constable who at That time arrested
him says Freeman thon said (as he TOOK him) God d-D
you aunroe If ever get out oil prison you and others
who have been engaged In having me laken up shall pay
for Ia And there can be no doubt tnet ns plans nave
been maturing for some time TO carry bis dabolical
threats into execution and that he has well succeeded
the victims of his murderous works too plainly show
hia he mil lad
of Van Nest s is supposedly for labor but was not en-
coursged. There can be no doubt that this was done
TO facilitate his purpose of murder lie went 70 the
through the barn yard and evidently reconnocieo ms
ground carefully before hand
we permitted, In company WIN an aftiS "hoin v"
had enpseed 10 make sketch OF Freeman, aud friend
10 en- ter the cell where the murderer Is confined lie
was fastened in with large chain, one end
made fast in the floor and at the other strap OF
iron inches wide and about three eghths OF an inch
thick riveted around his right ANGLE With such tas
tening upon him there could be reason OF fear What
our feelings upon entering the prison cell oil
such being can be better imagined than described
The wrist OF his left had been cut and was &c bad
az to require sling TO sustain It, which Is plainly seen
above.
On being asked whether guilty or not, he admitted
,hst be was that he stabbed DIR. Van Nest he 10
the door with knife obtained for the purpose. lie de-
MED having any accompltce.
Upon being asked why nc went to the house, he re-
uied lust as the world rolled him there" When sk
cd why he murdered them ke remained silent tor some
moments, apparently INDIFFERENT 10 Wnat was sue 10
him. but at length observed be had no reason ut all"
He seemed ndisposed 20 give any account OF the matter
but for the most OF the time remained In thoughtful
state.
1t has been stated that he had gun with him he snys
he had no gun but club about three feet long in the
end of which placed sharp blade from FIVE to Six
inches long. This was probably mistaken for gun He
gave NO satisfactory account OF what became OF II after
the sad affair he says he carried 1t oil some IL or IA
miles he should think before he disposed oti did not
throw 1t In the water.
Some have supposed he was deranged; of this how.
ever there Is not the east probability He appears to
be as sane any could be with such murderous
heart.
When we entered the cell in company with the artist
and friend, Freeman was in standing posture, an
swerng questions put TO him by TWO other gentlemen
already there. The expression Of his countenance.
during the hours spent there remained as sketched
above with one or two exceptions. When questioned
about Mrs Wykof aud child, he dropped his chin upon
his breast and refused most OF the questions
having reference to them At such times IL seemed
all feeling had not yet left him. He seated himself
directed in get the beat light fer the artist
without the least hesitation, remaining fixed until the
sketch was finished which was then presented 10 him
for inspection; he took 1t in his hand and looked at 1t
for minute two and seemed az II be were looking
at himself through glass; when asked If he knfio u,
made reply but smiled for moment, then his tea.
lures assumed the dull. sutry look as before.
The funeral of the four who had died up Saturday
attended at the Church the late residence of
the family Sunday at 10 o'clock A. NJ by concourse
of near 1000 people. Never such scene before
Witnessed In this State. Never fell such terrific pail
upon community. The entire mass appeared to feel
the calamity aud for family lost to society
The sermon the occasion was listened to with the
deepest interest while the speaker Hdverted the
Of the past and the present in language rendered clio
ouent tho deep sympathy OF his own heart with the
citizens and relatives, especially the two surviving child
rem.