New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-04

DERlNG HIS WIFE AND DUkNlNU IuE
HOUSE TO HIDE THE DEED. AND TO
OBTAIN THE INSURANCE ON HIS PROP
ERTY.
1t will be remembered that on the morning Of the
9th of June last between and o'clock in the morn
ing fire broke ont in small frame building in Fifty.
third street near the Tenth avenue, owned by james
Shepherd, and occupied in the upper part by himself
and family az dwelling, lower part occupied ny
German named Christian Geyer The flames COM
muncated to several houses adjoining, which, with
the building in which the fire originated, were entirely
destroyed all efforts of the fremen to cave the prop
erty proving unavaling.
1t soon became known that the wife of Mr.. Shep.
herd was in the building and attempts were made to
rescue her. bst proved unsuccessful and it was sup
posed from the story told by Mr.. Shepherd, which,
with an account Of the fire, published 10 the TRI-
BUNE subsequently, that she persisted in the flames
After the fire was extngaished, the body of the I'M
fortunate woman, burned almost to crisp, was found
among the ruins by the fremen, and given in charge
Of the police, who conveyed the remains to the Tween.
ty-secord Ward Station House, to await the action of
the Coroner. An inquest was held upon the body by
one of the Coroners when upon the testimony elected
from which it appeared that the woman was unable
to escape, and therefore, persisted in the fames the
Jury rendered verdict accordingly. The remains of
the deceased were inferred in Greenwood Cemetery,
and nothing more was said about the matter until
few days since when some circumstances transpired
leading to tie belief that Shepherd murdered his wife,
and then fred the building, with view Of hiding the
deed and also to obtain the insurance on his premises
Upon the investigation by the Fire Marshal in order
to discover the cause of the fire. Shepherd stated that
be retired to bed on the night in question between
- IL. IL.
the voices of two Germans down stairs, of which
he recognized that of Geyer, the occupant Of the
lower floor He fell asleep again. and slept for some
time when he was awakened by his wife exclaimiug,
"biy God, Jim, the house is on fire ~ Jumping out
of bed he put on bis pantaoons, went to the froAt
window and tried to get his wife out, but tue blaze
and smoke from below was strong that it prevented
him. He then ran with his wife to the back window,
and epdeavored to get her out but she drew off, say
ing. "No, she would get killed" Shepherd then got
partly out Of the window and catching hold Of his
wife clothes tried to pull her after him, but she
broke away from his grasp, and he fell into the yard
distance Of about feet. After reaching the yard,
he neither saw or heard Of his wife alive. Shep'
herd says that he endeavored several times to enter
the house by the back door, but was prevented the
Ere and smoke.
Inc mouse was Out 10 Icck SQUARE uuu tWo S'Viico
high; the first floor had two rooms and the upper
story three, built in a rough with old boards.
A portion of the building had been removed to Har-
lem, where Shepherd was erecting another house into
which he intended moving. On the building destroyed
by fire Shepherd bad insurance Of $3.50 and $50 on
his household furniture. Mae months ground rent
which he was owing he promised to pay the day tol-
lowing the night On which the fire occurred.
4 IN. atom. fhafo
to the knowledge Of the Fire Marshal in the course Of
his investigations he considered the case very sus-
pcious, and held an interview with DstrictAttorney
Hall, with view of obtaining from that officer certain
Instructions 1t was decided necessary, in furtherance
Of the investigation to e1hume the body OF Mrs. Shep'
herd and make post-morten examination of the
same. Accordingly, DIR. Carnochan, accompanied by
MIR. Baker, went to Greenwood Cemetery and had the
body exhumed, when the former made thorough
examination, which resulted in clicpg some important
facts tending to establish the theory that Mrs. Shep'
herd was not physically in condition to escape with
her husband. The evidence the post-morten has
not yet been disclosed but understand that certain
injuries were found about the skull, which we're doubt
less the causs Of her death.
The testimony excited on the investigation is very
voluunous, and we present the following synopsis,
embracing Inc most important iacls'
Peter Bogart testified that he was the first one at
the fire; the only person he saw was Shepherd, VINO
was coming from his front door, exclaiming, 1.-THE
Dutch has burnt my wife; witness was approach
ing the house he botced the fire burning through,
about the cene of the roof Shepherd did not say his
and up the stairs TO near the top; the fire was then
burning in tie roof; the filled with smoke
but he did not see any fire down stairs lie went down
again and around TO the rear Of the house, took
nf hoard On tha kiDdiiuu un,du l,a nj
pushed up the window and looked into the room;
went to The front of the house, broke open Of the
windows bu. could not see or hear any there; the
fire at this time was falling from the ceiling on the
anor ard on pile Of clothes which laid on the floor in
the porth east corner OF the room he then went to Mr.
Timers house. the rear OF tho came lot, and woke
bin up; atterthe fire was out he saw the burnt
of Mrs Shepherd the head was wards tue street. al
the ,trems lurts east end Of the house. and at about
lie Oloce where witness saw what he supposed 10 De
a tuno,e or pile Of clothes In the upper room the
body lay On ts beck, arms spread cren the lace an
burnt III 81 foot and part OF the leg was also our
or ana both HANDS were pretty mnen consume ~ 90
r.ss i. positive ibat the fire cid not commence doSo
stair; be knew that Shepherd and his wtc oio ho,
live hsppIy together; has heard hie abuse her aad
had seen strange woman with him. cressed IN olsch
on one occasion Mr.. Shepherd came up to her nus
band While this woman was talking with hun; she
said TO him. YCu have rot that dirty beast win you
ag.ir :" he repid he could not help it-she would
not stay away rom him. his wife then tried to take
him away when DO cslled her u ID b--h aod
wen. OF with tbs young woman; witness sAw the old
man, Geye1, who lived ia the lo~er pant Of the hoaee,
bling on; bis bed; witness was present when the body
Of deceased was found; he knew Mrs. Shepherd to be
smart, active woman; she went ont TO DO wsshlag
almost every day; thlks that i che had been alive
OF the tune Of tic ite che would have escaped from
the bouse as veles her husband.
John Eay, fireman, testified that no saw lie hrc
end fsmee comcg from tho roof Of the building: on
reaching premises be saw Shepherd ia front Of the
house, calir g oct my frau. oh my Gan;" police.
man there wituese's houte was within lC fsros