Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-03
Murder by a Mailman.

Iearlui Tragedy looh pi'i"o dI Ouo-
casunna Plains, New Jersey. on Fri
day night last. One John Bruen, who
was subject to periodical fits of insan-
ity. left his home in Madison and
went on board train on the Matti-
son and Essex Railroad, but was put
off at Morristown depot. Here the
crazy man jumped into the mail wag-
on and drove away, leaving the mail
bags at the post Office. An attempt
was made to arrest him, but he got
away and ran out ON the Succasunna
road. An account of what followed
says:
Toward evening Mr.. Robert Shaw,
the Station Agent of the Chester Rail
road at Succasunna Plains, was driv-
ing toward the station, accompanied
by his wife, on his return from Nor
ristown, when he was suddenly over
taken by young Brucn. The lunatic
came stealthily up behind the wagon,
and, leaping into the box, attempted
to climb over the top, which was
thrown back. Mr.. Shaw urged on his
horse at a desperate rate of speed to
escape the determined attempts OF the
mailman, and endeavored to throw
his assailant out. He struck Bruen
several blows with the butt of his
heavy whip, but the latter persisted
in his efforts to obtain a place in
front. The wagon-top finally gave
way, and the lunatic fell to the ground.
Arrived at the village in which he re-
sides Shaw stopped at hotel, and
was relating the circumstances of his
strange adventure on the mountain
when young Bruen entered. Shaw
had no idea that Bruen was insane,
and opened dispute with him. Hard
words passed between them. Bruen
stayed for some time, manifesting no
intention of leaving. Mr.. Shaw, after
a while, quietly left the hotel and re-
paired to the residence of a Justice
of the Peace. A few moments con-
sultation with him resulted in the is
suing Of warrant for the arrest of
Bruen. The constable, to whom the
warrant thus issued had been given,
Immediately went in search of the lu-
matte, and at about $50 P. NJ. came
into contact with him. An effort was
made to arrest him, but Bruen resist
ed with such strength and vigor, that
he for some time baf1ied the united ex-
ertions of the halfdozen men who con-
tended against him. A long and des-
perate struggle, however, resulted in
his fall. His captors now made an
effort to tie his hands. While prepa,
rations were in progress he succeed
ed in Wrestling himself from the grasp
of those who held him down and
sprang to his feet. Almost simultane.
ously with his rise from the ground
he drew long jack-knife from his
pocket and threatened to stab the first
man who should again attempt to put
hands upon him. The fierce frmneSs
which his words and manner bespoke
inundated his captorS, and no sec
old attempt was made to take him
into custody. When Bruen seemed
to have satisfied himself that his threat
, had accomplished its intended intim
, idation he turned on his heel anC
, walked deliberately away. He had
, not proceeded many steps before VIM
Buck stepped out upon the road, and
: with the evident intention Of assisting
! in his arrest, walked rapidly toward
e the retreating man. When he ha(
G got almost up with him Brucn turnet
D suddenly about and buried the lon;
t blade of his jack knife into the breas
q of his pursuer. The stabbed man re
c treated few PAGES, crying, lie ha
:. stabbed me-, and fell. Those VIII
= had attempted unsucccssfully to al
t rest Bruen lifted his PROSTATE victir
n from the ground and carried him int
n his fathers house. The news of TIL
T. fatal encounter spread like wildiir
d among the people of the neighbol
0 hood. A consultation was held and
k number Of the best men sent in pun
a suit Of the savage lunatic. These 500
e encountered him. An attempt wa
s made to capture him; fearful strug
=" gle ensued, and it was not until h
had been knocked down three time
y with a bludgeon that his capture wa
n effected. He was taken to Morri
G. town and committed to Jail. In tb
J. meanwhile young Buck was sinkin
e rapidly. At II o'clock he lost tt
p power of speech. In two hours aud
4 half afterward, during which he suffe
IS ed unutterable agony, he was a corps
n The affair has created a feeling o
d. profound sorrow in the places whel
Is the lunatic and his victim resided"