The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-10
ANOTHER SHOCKING MUP.1ER.


Observation-Disclosures ton Of the stolen Pro-
perty Found in the Possession Of the
Prisoner-The Coroner's Inquest-Con-
elusive and Interesting Chain Of Evil
dcnce-verdfct Against the Accused-His
Examination and Committal to the
Tombs, &c.
Tho reghborhood of Aanhattanville was thrown into
intense state Of excitement yesterday in consequence
OF tho atrocous murder Of mother and her infant child
by hend in human FORM whose only motive plum.
der The facts OF the case gathered by our reporter
"a foDows:-An Industrious German, named John
Henry Schumacher, who has lived in vacant lot
Seventy second street, near Eleventh avenue, for
several years, len his home at an early hour
in the morning--say about halrpast two O'Clock |,
,or he purpose selling vegetables which he grew
upon the grounds surrounding his house. He left his
wife child the latter infant about months
cid bod and apparently in their usual good health and
spik After dsposng Of his truck he started for home,
thinking for moment that any evil had befallen
his family in his absence. Little did he imagine what
horrible was In store for him, when, trudgng along
HUDSON street, be hailed intimate friend OF HIS named
Dawson The latter appears had been sent in quest Of
the market man, and sooner did be see him
than he communicated to him the sad that
his wife dying and that his only child was corpse.
Dawson did not tell him the Of the disaster init
mate that the death of the child and illness of the mother
arose from any other than natural Gauges for fear the
shock would be too great.
Schumacher at FIRST thought there must be some mis-.
take, saying he had left his family in perfect health
Sew hours before, but Dawson assured him that the
was but true, and besought the unfortunate
hurry home.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MURDER.
The feelings OF poor Schumacher the receipt Of this
shocking intelligence be readily imagined. He urged
horses forward their utmost speed, and drove like
mailman through the upper part Of the city until he
came to his dwelling. large concourse Of people
around the house, the presence Of the police and the
cad countenances Of all around him indicated
TOO truly that something dreadful had taken
place in his absence On entering the house a
horrible sight met his view. On the bed lay tho
dying form of his wife, all covered with blood and beside
her the dead body Of her infant child Both mother and
child had fallen beneath the ruthless hand of the
sin and the home that few hours before cheer
~ and pleasant silent and desolate. A hammer
lay on the floor beside tho bed and judging from the
marks on tho mother and Child this the weapon
used m the commission Of the murder. The injuries on
the head of Mrs Schumacher and her child correspondent
exactly with the head and claws Of the hammer Besides,
the weapon In an unusual place. 1t had been re.
moved from its proper place Of deposit in the kitchen,
and after being used in the commission of the murder,
was thrown carelessy upon the bedroom aoor where 1t
was found by slr. Schumacher.
Upon further examination Of the premises the Propri
tor found that the drawer which he had about $50 in
bank bills and silver had been red of its contents and
his house had been ransacked by the murderer II
was evident, them that plumber the sole motive
which led to the preparation of the crime and Mr. Schu
makers suspicious at directed against man
formerly in his employment, named Francis Hoffman.
The murder it appears nrst discovered by Jacob
in IN NJ
Mr. Schumacher They about four O'Clock and went
into field to work hour two before breakfast Mrs
Schumacher In the habit Of rising about six o'clock
and preparing their morning meal. Yesterday morning
however the workmen observed that she did not rise
tho usual hour but the circumstance did not create
any suspicion until hour after the usual time had
elapsed, and the men began 10 grow hungry. II was
about half past six O'Clock perhaps when Hans proposed
that Jacob should go up TO the house and HMs Schu
maker bad arisen Jacob did co. and back in few
minutes saying that he could find the woman and
supposed that she still in bed. Half hour elapsed
when Hans again asked Jacob go the house and call
the mistress. II was then about o'clock, and as
Jacob entered the house and pushed open Mrs Schuma
ker bedroom door he discovered to his horror that the
occupants had been murdered by some one who had
stolen into the house while he was at work
A further examination showed that robbery was the
motive which prompted the assassin in the per-
petration Of the horrd deed. The watch OF
Schumacher which usually hung the mante piece,
missing; the drawer in which he kept his money was
red and even the trunk Of Hans had been broken into
and robbed OF linen shirt and pockeoook containing
three dollars The alarm was promptly raised and inor
nation OF the affair communicated 10 the Twenty second
precinct police. The officers with commendabie ZEAL took
prompt 10 secure the murderer and by their
efficiency and sagacty succeeded In arrestng the alleged
pcrpeator Of the murder before many hours had elapsed
Hoffman, appears had been In the employment OF Mr..
Schumacher and had been discharged about week prcv
ously Prom the stories of Mr. Schumakc- and his WORK
men the police had reason TO believe that Holman was
implicated In the murder, and strict search was made
Tor him accordingly.
TIE ARREST or THE ALLEGED MURDERER.
sergeant Snyder and Roundsman Greer Immediately
proceeded In different directions through the ward and
put all the parolmen on the alert. Al the house OF
German butcher, in Eighth avenue, Fifty seventh
street. Greer found tho wife Of the suspected party and
learned from her that she expected meet her husband
there tina, very day, TO start with him for Louisville,
Kentucky. The policeman without Informing her Of his
suspicious, lct the place Before leaving, however, he
called the butcher asdc and telling him Of the murder
requested him Hoffman should come along IN bis ab.
butcher promise " do AZ he was requested; and Ia an
hour or 90 Afterwards, when Hoffman appeared in
Eight, he slipped out and informed officer Richards
OF The fact. Richards walked up very quietly
70 Holman, telling him that he wanted him
ns a witness and took him into custody. On tax
ing the prisoner 10 the station house and scarc ng him.
Che police found In his possession silver watch, tso
od breaspn and three gold studs which were al once
identified a. the property a MI Schumacher. HOFFMAN
said he had just arrived from Philadelphia but moment
sfterv ards admitted that he had been New York oil
the night previous, and had slept somewhere In sixth
avenue. He told number az contradictory and foolish
stories about the property found In his possession and
acted every way the guilty man. At the conclusion Of the
search the prisoner was brought down stairs and locked
mp cell until the arrival Of the Coroner large
crowd Of men, women and children thronced the station
the entire day and the curiosity Of the people to catch
glimpse of the prisoner great that Il much
ns the police could do TO preserve order.
THE coRoNKRs INQUEST.
Coroner oKeefc arrived at the ecene Of the murder
about O'Clock, and at once commenced 10 cnpaucl
Jury and collect the witnesses Having accomplished this
much the Coroner adjourned the inquest TO the Twenty
second precinct station house. and al three o'clock tie
examination Of the witnesses proceeded with. me
prisoner, Hofman, present during the investigation.
He hooked the very picture Of despair and the word
could be traced in every neament Of his wretchcd
n mad etle drxt tho nj