The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-06
THE NEW JERSEY TRAGEDY.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF TINE HsuLn.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF the HeRALH
singular Affection for a Grandchildren Old
Man Assaults a Little Girl with Hatchet-
Supporing Her Dead He Cats His Own
Throat and Hangs HImscif-An Insane De-
sire To Have the child Die with Him the
Causc-Full Particulars. SC
BAKERsvLlE, ATLANTIC OouSrY, N J.,
May 4, 1867.
This remarkably quiet community OF Industrious
farmers fishermen sailors and oystermen yesterday
morning startled by the report that Of the most
voting tragedies that has occurred in the State had
been enacted that morning within its precincts The
story Of such horrible first few could
be induced to credit it. 1t that beautiful little girl
named sallie Yeates the pet Of beloved parents and
grandparents and the idol Of the household, had been
attacked by his aged grandfather in 1T Of frenzy, and
murdered by blows from Ratchet and that this had been
followed up by the death Of the perperaor of the deed
BY his hand The report not long in circulating
throughout the neghborhood, and seemed to be too
horrible and impossible to credit especially whom Mr.
James Ycases old and respected citizen, named
the murderer suicide All doubts were however,
dspelled when about nine in the morning, messenger
arrived at this village and summoned the Squire and
physician to the scene OF the occurrence.
mr. YKArSs, THE PERPErRAroR OF THE DEED or BLOOD,
resides about two miles from this point small farm,
which he and which he has worked for some
He is sxtythree years OF age and the father Of
eleven children. Originally he from Pennsylvania
but married and settled in this county years ago,
and has alternately followed the and farming for
livelihood. In his younger days he was master
OF vessels employed In ths cosstiDg trade between
New York, Philadelphia and the Jersey shore. But
misfortune seemed to haunt him upon the sea- and 'un
merrifu disaster followed fast and followed faster'
until he became mbued with the idea he would end
against fate; but continued 10 be unfortunate Nearly
every vessel he commanded wrecked, and several
times he very finding rest from his troubles
beneath the dark waters Of the Atlantic The illuck
that attended James Yeates and the vessels that he
found II impossible to remain command. Retiring 70
his farm and the bosom Of his family he occasionally
some s s yo wsss a
made to Southern port about two months ago.
Previous TO- his departure his family observed
the suspicion that he was not Of sound mind,
and efforts were made to dissuade him from
gong. On his return he seemed all right This Is the
only time that he has been suspected Of unsound
mind. He was man Of strong nervous temperament
excabe, and at times when excited very violent but
these fits were Of short duration He was highly es-
teemed IN the community good neighbor, an hon.
orabe in his dealings, and indulgent and kind
have always been pleasant Mr. Yeates Is well con.
nected and is brother Of Mr.. Yeates the well known
merchant Of Philadelphia, who day present At the
scene Of the sad tragedy.
HISTORY OF THE DOUBLE CRIME
Yesterday morning deceased arose At the usual hour
about SIX, kndled fire. upon which he placed the
utensils necessary for old Mrs Yeates to prepare break
fast During the preparation Of breakfast he remained
he al down, and partook Of half cup Of coffee but
did mot taste food. He seemed quite low spirited and
snoS thou, replying 70 question. very curly sud
The rs.idenos d ne sons family Captain Yeat~ Jr,
absent IN Philadelphia entered and sat down
ng Yag carpet me mother Of the little girl observed
that declared had wild look IN hiscye and
as sspy aas s
hearted" He remained but few moments, and After
usual caressng little sais len for his own house
and again st down in the sitting room which II near
the Kitchen and connected With II BY . door. Mrp
ssrvsn. In Che kitchen and she observed that he old
looked long and earnestly ~ the child but ~ she was
the crcSssance While absorbed IN this rsverie sse
observed that her gvandfathers shirt collar unbut
toned and throwing down her needle she climbed up
and then pushed her gently from him. and rising left
the house. The next seen OF him was by Ycates the
psrior and 70 his own chamber above He remained up
stairs for some i.tie time and on again entering the
70 cut Somstne in the grove adjoining He soon after
appeared for the third time at his sons house. Mra
Yeatss was still employed in the Kitchen and the
child Sallle alone in the sitting room 70 which
An instant later ffighui screams greeted the ears Of
reached ths door the old man rushed wildly By her
with The blood stained Ratchet il hts hand The mother
her spsechless with horror Upon the floor, apparently
dead, lay the child she much loved with two fright
the innocent little victim Of the old mans passion
love was flowing coPously: One wound on tho right
side Of The head xs. about two inches long and the
left side Of the head, the temple and not deep
For few minutes Mrs. Yeatss was parayzed and un.
bloody that presented itself vision she gave
the alarm and hurried to the house oil deceased and
ported what had occurred TO her mother-n-law.
THE SUICIDE or yEArRs
On leaving the scene Of his bloody work. the do
ceased rushed wildly into his own house, threw on his
coat across the loom which his wife sitting
rapidly passing Ma Ycales, ST., entered the parior
singular actions 1t aroused the suspicious Of the
wife, who endcavored 70 force the door OPEN but failed
ca % Su IN Ss door ss
q he aas d:sss:sa ss.sr:a i. room :sy.s. nssS.
ing . The sS.nSs. sssss hey found the s' s.e..ssa
me- r.. ss ssS = Ss ns
mounted 70 adtsa The moose about his neek.
wnss !. 1 DsSn 10 was Su. S,s
corpse Had the Adlss been succesfu in forcing rhs
door open they would have saved Mr.. .Ysa.ss from
pipe and had not touched any vital part
n1 rRoaABLs cArsE ACT.
NO doubt rests upon the mind OF one familiar with
the particulars Of the insanity Of deceased The
little girl who he's bcsn brought the portals Of
death By the act Of her grandfaahsr 10 anisble child
Of eight ysars old, who, Of all his grand children,
the "old mans darling" He Was In the habit OF
almost daily calling tor her and taking her out boating
the mipopd by. the nsld where he iaborcd
Indeed, he never seemed happy out Of her presence
Dolly the previous saturday she was out The pond
with him hours and tho child says that he then
spoke Of killing her some day. IL is thought by the
family that he contemplated drowning her al that tmc
but hts resolution failed him. The child who has been
quite sensible In her waking moments since the wounds
were dressed and the ntes from the ak removed,
says that her grandfather week ked her and saAd
''sali'e. love you % much when die want you with
me, so that you viii not turn bad. shall kill you
some day. Az other times he has expressed The wish
TO other members Of the family that when he died Sae
might die too All these circumstances especially his
fondness for the child, would TO indicate that
paterna aiection-the affection Of \ mind diaoascd