The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-15
TINE LATE LIFE INSURANCE MURDER CASE.

The Lockport On. " correspondent OF the Buffalo
Express. in writing up the career OF Charles Tucker
alias Mason just convicted OF the murder OF his wife,
gives the following. The girl Nellie referred to was
Nellie williams who published the Penheld Extra
While at Rochester Mrs. Mason began to suffer
with the painful illness which from that time
forward never ceased until 1t terminated her life
at Lockp0rt on the 18th OF September, 1867,
and was confined TO the house. Her husband at
this time began 10 conceive feeling OF interest In,
or attachment 10 girl OF less than twenty, young
lady well known TO the editorial and Typographical
fraternity OF Western New York the former ed-
tor and proprietor Of little sheet published near
Rochester, and who was at this time compositor
In printing establishment there 10 is quite evident
to those that heard the trial ana saw this young
lady OH the stand that she was guilty OF nothing
more than ndiscretion with Mason in allowing
any attention az all from him, and 10 will answer
the purposes OF this narrative quite as well
to suppress her patrongmc. calling her simply
Nellie. Mason called at the printing room several
times, where she was employed, during the sickness
OF his vile, under the preteXt OF having work for
her to do and wishing TO learn the printers him
self. lie wrote notes to her. one OF which sne was
seen TO tear IN pieces and throw on the floor. Upon
one occasion Mason asked her to take a walk with
him TO see his wife nj her request which she agreed
To do: out after walking some distance ON the
street with him she discovered that they we're
going In direction opposite to Mason's boarding
house. and called his attention 70 the fact lie re-
turned some evasve answer and desired 10 proceed;
but the gir insisted on RETURNING which they did.
After this episode Ncile's mother became alarmed
aud chided her for imprudence, which, Mason learn
ing, he wrote note TO the girl, asking her pardon,
III
the head rather than the heart and that he knew OF
no whom he would so greatly desire as a com.
panion for his dear wife az her. After this Mason
and his wife left Rochester and came to Buffalo in
May, 1851; and for time the curtain falls on his
yearnings after a companion for his dear wife.
While al Rochester he procured an Insurance In a
Connecticut company for $1,000 upon the Joint lives
OF himself and wife payable TO the survivor. IT is
amount was large, that the insurance should have
covered the life Of his vile and that she died four
months afterwards. He told the agent that his wife
Il VI ~ etA
stomach. The defence contend that this policy was
taken after repeated solicitations by the agents OF
| the company they giving Mason half their
| fees. This insurance policy plays an important
part during the time being relied by the prosecu-
ton a. the chief inducement 10 the crime allowing
that Mason was the guilty party. In this Connection
may speak OF the other alleged motive which was
the passion q Mason for Nellie and the desire to &C,
her. These two motives were OF course held ND con.
spcuousy before the jury to for the horrible
crime OF wife poisoning by the accused. II also ap
| the first premium on the insurance.
some circumstances attending the woman's death
were commented on As suspcious None OF she
neghbors were called In during her illness or last
moments, and the offered services OF two ladies az
watchers were refused. she buried the day after
| her death, and Mason was heard TO laugh while In
| the cemetery. The same night OF the interment he
went 70 Rochesterand TO the insurance agent the
following morning, demanding the insurance money.
| he was told by the agent that he must wait the
usual ninety days at all events. Then he
went TO the resldence OF Nele's mother and manfred
for the girl Being told that she was ont he engaged
In conversation with her mother telling her that his
wife was dead, that he had received large fortune
| and that he meant 70 Get Nellie up In business that
| he wa much pleased with her, and much more TO
the same effect lie informed another party that his
wife Was dead, and he was not sorry, for she was
burden 10 herself and everybody else that he Ind
bocp 70 cab on Nellie aDd cav the 'old lady - Nc.