The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-09-28

IhA~AD4 HIN ux1O n A~ANs
A Banker Murdered by his Partner aud
Thrown into the Lakc--The b ody Found
After the Man had been Missing Tive
Weeks:
From the indianapolis State Journal.l
A terrible deed of blood has just come to
light at Manistee, on the Western shore Of
Michigan, which has aroused feeling there,
and among those in this State who knew the
parties, equal to that caused by the fearful
affair at Portage City. We condense the ac-
count as follows:
men, the former the oldest, had been engaged
in banking at Manistee, Michigan, but on &C
count of some misunderstanding and diff
Guilty had dissolved partnership, Mr.. Herbert
Field, one of the firm, withdrawing his capt.
ital, and MI. Vanderpool was to continue the
business, assuming the liabilities and taking
the assets of the bank. On Saturday, the
4th, and Sunday, the 9th, they were engaged
in settling up their affairs, and were closeted
together at the bank. At about II O'Clock,
A. M, on Sunday, they both entered an ad-
witnessed, and Immediately returned in
to the bank and closed the door,
This was the last seen of Mr.. Field,
and for two weeks no trace could be obtained
of him. Mr.. Vanderpool, his late partner,
expressed as much surprise at his disappear
ance as any one, and aided in the efforts
to ascertain his whereabouts, whether dead
or alive, in which his fellow-citizens were en-
gagged, reward of $500 having been offered
for the recovery of the body, though he sought
to convey the impression that he had prob
ably absconded. The fact of known mis-
understanding between the two men and the
distrust of Vanderpool expressed by Field,
who had carried revolver, as he al
legged because he was afraid of yio-
lence from Vanderpool, lied to some sus-
picion against the latter in spite Of the
good character he had heretofore p0Tne.S
1t was noted that very early On Mon
day morning Mr.. Vanderpool had gone to the
bank between and o'clock and took up
| tho Garnet and commenced scrubbing the
moor, This was 50 contrary to his usual
| practice that it attracted marL~l arientlon.
1t was also noticed thai he appeared very alb
stIacted and absent minded, and that he
looked pale ana haggard. The latter he him
self explained by saying that he had been sick
all night. it was also noticed that the bank
was closed and the curtains close drawn a
good portion of the time Monday and Thurs
day. But whatever suspicious any may have
felt they did not whisper them above their
breath. On Wednesday morning it became
known that Mr.. Vanderpool was heating
| water in the bank at an early hour, and was
about to recommence his scrubbing OPP
erations, and it was thought best that
| an Investigation should be made. The
three magistrates of the city, with the
sheriff proceeded to the bank to prosecute
the investigation. Mr.. V. offered no opposi-
ton. 1t was first noticed that the carpet ha d
been changed about. On examining the car
| pet twas found that portion eight feet
| long by five feet wide, directly in front of MI
Fields desk, was cut out with knife. On
| inquiry it was found that this had been
| burned. Through the opening in tho car
pet thus made appeared several dark
excessive scrubbing, and were partly obliterated
| by being spread over with ink. One of the
| wristbands commonly in use was empty
| Stains OF fresh blood were found upon the
carpet. Partially burned paper, stained with
blood, was found in the stove; ALSO set oil
pants, vest and shirt buttons. This led to an
| investigation, which developed the fact that
the pants, vest and shirt which Vanderpool
had worn on Saturday had disappeared, and
the further fact that he came home on Sat
| urday afternoon with Fields pants and vest
| on, and had Immediately taken a tub of water
locked himself in his room, and washed and
| dressed himself.
| The rear of the bank building projects over
| Manistee river, being built ON piles. On the
west side OF the bank, long flight of stairs
runs down to the waters edge, where is a
landing for small boats. An examination O.
these stairs shows a fresh trail of blood from
top to bottom, there being from one to three
drops Cd nearly every step, and fresh blood or
| the boat landing.
| Convinced by this that tho body OF Mr.
| Field was in the river, reward OF $500 was
offered for the recovery, and thorough
| search was commenced, which was withou
avail, till Wednesday,the 18th, when the bod J
| was found, by farmer, on the beach of
Lake Michigan, twenty-seven miles below
Mantistee, near Frankfort, where the rapid
current of the Lake, which was known to
have sec north with great force on the fata
Sunday and Monday, had carried it. Three
| CHASTITY wounds, made with blunt irstru
ment, told too well the horried manner of his
death. The body was dressed. as last seen
except the coat was gone, and there was g
rope attached to it. The horrible fact was
established that poor Field was murdered.
The body was taken to Manistee, where an
| inquest was held, and the coroners jury
brought in verdict that he came to hi!
death by blows inflicted by George Wander
| pool, his late partner