Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-03-14
MISC L LA NY
Horrible Affair on Long lsland-A Mystery.

One OF the most heart rending catastrophes that
we have ever heard Of, took place near Hampstead
Long Island, few days since. Ii appears that be-
fore daylight in the morning, Mr.. Jonathan Miller,
farmer living at place called Trimming ssuare
two miles this side of Hempsead left his home
with load of produce for the New York or Brook
Ign market. About five o'clock, soon after he had
left, fire broke out in his farm house, which was
entirely consumed, together with all the inmates
consisting of his wife, three children and servant
girl. MIR. Miller knew nothing of the catastrophe
until his return during the forenoon. He arrived
at the place where his house stood when he left
and the reader may imagine his feelings on seeing.
IN place of his house, few smoking embers, and
thecharred remains of his wife and three children
lie became maniac, and it took dozen symua-
thzing neghbors to protect him from doing violence
TO himself
In connexion with this dreadful event and the
terrible misfortunes of MIR. Miller the BROOKLYN pa
pers relate the following strange story:
1t appears that Mr.. Miller's house was situated
about three quarters of mile from the turnpike.
and some twenty OF thirty rods from the public lane
1t was an old, lonesome house, and yet cheerful G.
nough, too, In summer, for it was embowered amid
shrubbery and trees. Miller owned it, and the farm
connected with it. He is man in the neighbor-
hood of forty years old, and well liked by his neigh
bors, bearing good name for industry, honesty,
and the other usual virtues OF Long Island farm
er, than which class of persons in the land or in
any part of the world possesses higher average of
excellence. 1t must have been in 1885, that the
| following occurrences took place. se
There was negro man, young giant of fel-
low working from place to place around Trimming
square, and he was several times discovered in lit
tie larcenies. Mr.. M, among others had employed
the negro on his farm. He, too had lost some ar
ticles by the thief BY and by the depreda,ions Of
the latter, or, at any rate, he was universally sup
posed to be the criminal, became so Troublesome that
! the neiOhhnp, tos,t hin, ,nJ r.
archial assemblage of them, was decided to give
the negro sound fiogging. Mr.. Miller was one
who seemed most willing to this punishment At
any rate, the negro was tied up and whipped and
| then started of, with general warning from all
hands never to come in the neighborhood again.
He went over TO "the North Side" somewhere A.
long the shore of the Sound, and from time to time
obtained work there.
Either he was most malignant and ferocious
negro, which is most likely, from the facts as they
came out at the time, or he was wrongfnlly charg-
ed with some ofthe thefs, and brooded over them
and his igDonnious punishment, till he determined
on vengeance. The most of his bitterness was TO.
| ward Mr.. Miller His threats were made so vo
lently that some of Mr.. MS friends sent him word
from the North Side, and advised him to be on his
guard against violence. Miller accordingly KEEP,
arms In his bed room at night, and adopted other
precautions.
The negro appeared at the village of Jamaica
one night about 10 o'clock. 1t was fine. clear
moonlight night. He seized on wagon, attached
70 which was fine horse in Jamaica. He drove
on along the Hampstead road to Trimming Square
down the lane-stoppng at lone place occupied
by two poor superannuated old women, whom he
frightened literally half TO death-and then some
where about one O'Clock at night, tied the horse al
the head 81 Mr.. Miller's own lane, and went dowr
| to the house.
AS is customary in very many Long Island farm
houses, the ordinary doorsOf Mr.. Mler's residence
particularly The door Of the kitchen. which was adj
joining his bedroom, usually left unlocked. e
ven during the night. This particular n;cyht how.
ever, it happened By pure accident, to have the Dol
up. 1t was afterwards supposed that the negro in
tended to have entered the kitchen dooT--beinp &.
miliar with the way--and accomplish his murder
Gus purposes
In the dead Of the night, The moon shining wit
great bTlliahcy, Miller and his wife were awaken
ed by their little girl who in spasms Of terror toll
them that there man at the window Nil
Ter jumped up Immediately and sprang for his our
There, sure enough, al the window, stood that sta1
worth creaidse, and in his hand heavy club. RI
was looking steadily into the room. The startIe
family within could see him, with his club, yer
clearly. .
Mr. Miller called TO the negro, and asked hir
what he wanted there AT that time The nerr
made no reply. Mr.. Miller then told him TO be OF
that he had loaded guu, and would shoot him ur
less he went off forthwith. The negro however
neither moved nor spoke, but stood, with his club b
his side, looking fiercely into the room Mr. Mile
then told him that ne would give him two minute
to go, and, if he didn't 90 in that time, he woul
shoot him down. Still the fellow neither moved i
offence or away. The two minutes elapsed. and
little more beside. and then Mr. Miller fred
The terrified family had few moments Of aw
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