The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-05-24
From the Meao York Sun.
A Tragedy in New Jersey.

Iuo Tedu6IS vi Inc Dun Will remember
Geographic account, published on Sat.
urday, of the terrible child murder and
suicide which occurred at Bakersville,
N. j., On Friday. The following is the
awful story in full
Mr.. Yeates, the perpetrator of the deed,
resides about two miles from this point,
on small farm which he owns, and
which LIE has worked for some years.
He is sixty.three years of age, and the
father of eleven children. Originally he
came from Pennsylvania, but married and
settled in this county some years ago, and
has alternately followed the sea and farm
ing for livelihood. In his younger
days he was master of vessels employed
in the coasting trade between New York,
Philadelphia, and the Jersey shore. But
misfortune seemed to haunt him upon the
sea, and "unmerciful disaster followed
fast and followed faster," until no became
imbued with the idea that he would end
his existence in the poorhouse. For
years be fought against fate, but contin-
ued to be unfortunate. He was man of
strong nervous temperament, excitable,
and at times, when excited, very violent,
but these fits were of short duration. He
was highly esteemed in the community as
a good neighbor, an honest man in all his
dealings, and an indulgent and kind bus.
band and father. His domestic relations
are said to have always been pleasant
Mr.. Yeates is well connected, and is a
brother Of Mr.. Yeates the we'll known
.merch ant of Philadelphia, who to-day is
present at the scene of the sad tragedy
Yesterday (Friday) morning, deceased
arose at the usual hour, about six, kindled
fire, upon which he placed the utensils
necessary for old Mrs. -Yeates to prepare
breakfast.
During the preparation of the breakfast,
he renamed in the kitchen, and when it
was placed upon the table, he sat down,
aud partook of half a cup of coffee, but
did not taste food. He seemed quite low
spirited and thoughtful, replying to ques-
tions very CURLY. Suddenly he jumped
up and went out, and proceeding to the
residence of the sons family, captain
Yeates, Jr., was absentin Philadelphia, }
entered and sat down in the sitting room,
near bis. granchild, who was sewing rag
carpet. The mother of the little girl OBJ
served that deceased had wild look in his
eye, and remarked; "Good morning,
Father Yeatos; are you not we'll I" His
reply was: eyes, quite we'll, but little
downhearted.." He remained but few
moments, and after, as usual, caressing
little Sallie, left for his own house. Eff
teen or twenty minutes after be returned
to his sons, and again sat down in the
sitting room, which is near the kitchen,
and connected with it by a door. Mrs.
Yeates was employed in the household
duties with her servant in the kitchen,
and she observed that the old man looked
long and earnestly at the child but as
she was the pet of her grandfather, the
mother thought nothing of tails circum-
stance. While absorbed in this reverie
Sallie observed that her grandfather s
shirt collar was unbuttoned, and thowing
down her needle she climbed up on his
knee and buttoned it. He stopped and
kissed her, and then pushed her gently
from him, and rising left the house. The
next seen of him was by Yeates the elder,
who saw him pass through the kitchen
into the parlor and to his own chamber
above. He remained up stairs for some
little time, and on again entering the
kitchen, took Ratchet and went out, as
his wife supposed, to cut something in the
grove adjoining. He soon after appeared
for the third time at his sons house.
Mrs. Yeates was still employed in the
kitchen, and the child Sallie was alone in
the sitting room, to which the deceased
passed. An instant later frightful screams
greeted the ears of the mother, who has
tened to the sitting room. AS she reach
el the door the old man rushed wildly by
her, casting upon her piercing glance,
and disappeared with the blood-stained
Ratchet in his hand. The mother entered
the room, and there beheld scene which
made her speeches. with horror. Upon
the floor, apparently dead, lay the child
she SO much loved, with two frightful
S"oh'o Al AtS hcauJ lIom WiiLCu tuo WdTm
blood of the innocent little victim of the
old mans passion or love, was flowing co.
piously. One wound ON the right side of
the head was about two inches long, and
the skull was somewhat fractured ; the
other was on the left side of the head,
nearer the temple and not so deep. For
a few minutes Mrs. Yeates was para lyzed
and unable to move. After recovering
from the effect of the bloody scene that
presented itself to her vision, she gave
the alarm and hurried to the house Of de.
ceased and reported what had occurred to
her mother-in.law. On leaving the scene
Of his bloody work the deceased rushed
wildly into his own house, threw oil his
coat across the loom near which his wife
was sitting, grasped razor that was in a
closet in the room, and rapidly passing
Mrs. Yeates, ST., entered the parlor and
boted the door after him. His excited
manner and singular actions at once
reused the suspicious of the wife, who en-