The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-24


acted as godfather to the enterprise and had also
been chosen as orator of the day. At the latest ad
waters Of the lake for the rst time under the pro-
petng influence OF steam was nearly ready for the
patent undertaking, the source Of 90 much antict-
pated rejoicing. i n fstso5 ts
THE KINGSTON MURDER.
Further and Infercsting Particular Of tho
Crime-Deacon Andrcw1 Explanatiou Of tho
Tragedy Generally Regarded as EaIse-Av-
srice for Wealth tho Probable Cause ~ the
Murder-Previous Criminal Proponsities Of
PLYMOUTH, Mass., June %, 1858.
The murder Of old Cornelius Holmes, over In
Kingston, few miles distant on the evening Of the
26th Of May, was an event which ID still fresh In the
public mind. 1t was crime which not only shocked
and grieved the whole community, but everywhere
hereabouts there was the most excited wonder and
astonishment as to who was the perpetrator OF the
terrible deed. In this rural and secluded locality
even the crime OF larceny ID almost wholly unknown.
and when the news spread from house to house and
from town to town on the morning Of the 27th ult.
that there had been murder committed there
was, as might naturally be expected, the most
intense excitement and confusion all through
the country. AS the telegraph and newspapers
spread the Intelligence in the surrounding towns
the horror and excitement were increased and before
noon OF the day after the mutllated body Of Mr..
Holmes had been found the little hamlet Of Kingston
was crowded with the Plymouth farmers, who had
come In to gather and discuss every rum0r and fact
bearing directly or indirectly upon the tragedy The
great problem which they sought to solve was, who
committed the murder9 Neither the townspeople Of
Kingston nor those who came from the neighb0ring
villages dared harbor for moment that the crime
was the work Of one who dwelt within their
midst They could not-they would not be-
lieve that there was anywhere upon the solid
basis Of old Plymouth Rock where the ever memora-
BILE and moral Pilgrims first set foot, single man
who would bring dshonor upon his ancestors by en-
gaging In the crime Of murder. there was any one
who dared insinuate on the day the deed was dts
covered that it was committed by citizen Of Kings
ton or of Plymouth county he was regarded as In
sane, and one or two who ventured this opinion
were pretty sharply and promptly rebuked by the
'leading men, of the town. That Mr.. Holmes had
come to his death by foul means was seriously
questioned by some, Notwithstanding his
head was pounded to jelly his brains
scattered In every direction, and the ground broken
and ruined by what seemed to be- and Of course
was struggle for life. To the credit Of their judy
ment however, the majority of the people Of Kings
ton did not share In the deusion that the old man
came to his death by it, in which the bruises were
sustained. It was plain that he had been actually
murdered, but the cause OF the murder and the
author Of It were matters which puzzled them. That
he had been assassnated for the purpose Of robbery
there was ground for doubt fnasmuch as some
OF his 5000 was found upon his person. 1t was
not known that he had an enemy in the world, and,
therefore, 1t could not be Justly assumed that he was
an unfortunate victim OF revenge.
II the skill OF detectives or large rewards could
lead TO the discovery and punishment OF the muir
sHs @ be
done. The Selectmen Of the town accordingly held
q meeting and offered liberal sum- and Mr.. Alex
merly President Of the Old Colony and Newport Rail-
road also offered heavy reward for the apprehen-
q ne went as
s well known they were not long In gathering evil
dence warranting the arrest OF Deacon samuel M.
dered man, and one who had for years and years
enjoyed the respect and esteem OF the whole com.
as was custom with him frequently, that they had
a %Sen HOMES 20
Andrews went along with him. The latter returned
Ing the murdered body of Holmes was found in an
unfrequented and secluded clump OF woods about
half way between the residences Of Holmes and An
drews As before stated, the head OF the victim was
pounded almost to jelly and there was every indt-
cation that there had been long and terrible strug
pockets poo Of Holmes were searched, but ali OF them
were empty with the exception OF one, which con-
tanned few hundred dollars IT th n fan a
! taRsn from mas the pockets q NJ Holmes
s SSs doab sat al his POCKETS
the one mentioned above were searched
sSm aee or ali Of them. was not the habit
Holmes to ever carry pocketbook, but he invart-
ably had his money in packages OF nom 500 to
these packages in his different pockets His reason
for always carrying 80 much money with him was
house. and he distributed it around in his different
pockets described above, for the purpose OF hav.
Ing little left IN one pocket any one snouia sseai
was known to various OF his acquaintance but none
knew It better than Andrews, and one conclusive
the murder is the fact that the inside Of all Mr..
Holmes pockets except the one alluded TO belorel
was stained with blood and on the inside OF two OF
them was distinctly visible the full print of mans
hand.
been taken into custody, and, In fact no one had
suspected him except the Boston officers, who were
investigating the case. Their first suspicion was ex-
told them that Andrews had not expressed any desire
to see Mr.. Holmes body, and that all along ne had
Snowman indifference TO the a ~ whca , b
murdered man. Upon hearing this information one OF
the nelghbors OF Andrews was selected by the ocers
to 90 and urge him to and see the corpse, and
also to attend the Coroner's inquest. He evaded at
first by saying that he had got to go to work, but
that he would not Co. and that the i've
Homeses could bury their dead Homeses. After this
close watch was kept upon him. ana ms move move
/ usually characterized him. He appeared nervous
and uneasy seemed to seek ,, solitude rather ne
| than society, and was at all times very much ad-
/ When however he could not easily evade the sub
iect he would talk about It with forced earnest
/ neas and interest which to the officers clearly
| indicated guilt Besides his own actions there were
various other matters that did not look favorable TO
his innocence among which was the fact that he had
thrown some bloody clothing into pond. After this
discovery had been made, the officers concluded that
Il was advisable to take him Into custody; but before
/ him upon the PROBABILITY Of who was really the
/ guilty murderer and what motive he could have
had in selecting Mr.. Holmes for his victim. "f0u
i : him ttfhat C0rnaliuG