The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-26
THE RONDOUT BUTCHERY.

insanity or Murder-1lOrrtbie Scehes "a
Blood--A Womnn's Head Literally Chopped
10 Pieces-Tac Murderer Seeks a Second
Victim, but Failing in His Purpose Destroys
HIMSELF
Poncknockie is locality situated about quarte or
OF mile north of this place on the Hudson. and on
Saturday evening last was the scene Of one Of the
most horrible tragedies in which, driven mad by the
stlngs Of Jealousy, ship carpenter named Joseph
p wood was the actor and his wife the victim.
THE PRINCIPALS.
Joseph Wood was about forty-nve years or age, q
strong BUM man, OF medium stature and OF moody
disposition. lie had been married once before but
ieft his wife, with whom he did not i've happily.
His hapts were dissoute. He served IN the war
ana after his term OF service had expired married
his second wife, who was quite young and pretty,
being only about ,wenty-one years OF age NJ that
time.
Martha Wood was about twenty five years OF age,
and despite the fearful wounds upon her face to-day
traces Of beauty are still visible. Her maiden name
was Martha Wardell. and her parents are residents
OF pgtcness county, near Milton Ferry. Since their
marriage three children have been born to
tAenn-one, BOY, is still living and is wv
and a half years Old. The others were twins anu
died last wintey. All three lived at PonckhocAle
on the road TO Kingston Point On Saturday even
ing, about seven O'Clock, Mrs. Crimes with whom
they lived, heard scuiiling on the floor below, aud
heard Mrs. Wood cry, ION, Josey, Josey, don't Kill
me =, and 1t seemed TO her AS ii somebody had
fallen against stove. She Immediately called to
her mother "Joe Wood Is killing his vile; run for
hep.n Her mother. Mrs. Curry, an old lady, ran
down the road calling for help. A number OF men
answered and ran TO the house. but all were AFRAID
to enter unti George Metcalf came, when he
Wood by name to open it. Wood came to the door,
hung it open ana stepped back TO the back part OF
the room. The first thing Metcalf saw was Mrs.
Wood lying on the floor near the door horribly
mangied and covered Win blood, ne sprang over
and eXclaimmR 20, dear, o. dear" Metcalf then
turned to see II Mrs. wood was dead, and while he
saw Wood get up walk toward the bedroom door,
pick up q razor and turn toward MetcalE
IS they him thought ns with oae tHs Sses Of u s
whired around. when Wood raised his
hand as If TO cut his own throat Metcalf seized his
attempt and MetcaIf pulled his hand away again.
Wood then made thrust at Metealrs throat Mr..
Metcalrs wrist was lame, and, beng an Old man.
felt that he could not hold him, so he sprang to the
door, calling Tor the men outside to come In and
help nln but they ran away. In minute ne was
back, but too late, for he was only IN time to see
Wood fall full length with his throat cut IRON
ear to ear. The neignbors then hooked in.
and norrid sight was presented. Wood lay
bone and bleeding copiously. In the centre
OF the room was great pool OF blood, and in front
OF the lounge near the door lay Mrs. Wood, CHASTITY
sight, with her head hacked and manged and great
gaping wounds across her face and throat the back
her skull broken and her arm gashed and her neck
broken The lounge was soaked with blood and the
wall back oi 1t despatched with 1t. On the wall was
some hair clotted with blood, and IN her hand was
also some hair. On Mrs. Woods face, neck and
head were found eleven wounds. They were
al made with dull, heavy axe, which was
found in the ROOM the wretch having lite
hath In
adjoining lay the little son Of the Woods sleeping
quietly; upon the door were found bloody foot.
prints and towel upon the bed upon which Wood
mad wiped his hands 1t Is thought that he was
about 10 Kill little George when Metcalf called TO
him. The room where the tragedy occurred is an
ordinary sized sitting room aud kitchen, sparsely
furnished with lounge, few chairs, small cook
stove, couple OF small tables, and upon the walls
couple OF cheap prints. Upon the mante cock
was ticking and cheap looking glass hung
upon the wall. Nothing In the room showed
any sign OF struggle except the stove, upon which
carpet was upon the noor ana this was soaked with
blood.
rue CAUSE OF THE CRIME.
Different opinions are expressed as to the probable
motive Of the murder, but The true cause I'M
aoubtedly was that Wood was crazed by jealousy,
which worked upon his mind while it was stupefed
and weakened alter long debaucn. He and his wife
never known 10 quarrel, she giving In to him IN
all matters with the exception OF the sale of the
property at Selghfburg, the deed Tor which she re-
fused to sign because he had sold IL while in state
OF lntoxication. They had difference on this;
DuL IL Is not kuOWu tuht lney Hau any
serious quarrel. Wood had been drunk for about
two weeks; but during the week he had been
pretty. sober. but very moody and low-sprlted.
one or his neghbors, James X. Wood, observed his
depression and asked him on the fatal Saturday
what was the matter, telling him he feared he was
brooding over something which would come to no
good Joseph replied that nothing was the matter.
on the Thursday before he went to Newourg after
his wife and child, and came home appearing to be
good terms with his Vile, and she, bright little
body and possessed OF some good looks, appeared
to be IN excellent spirits and smiled and chatted
gaiiy as she walked along with him. On Saturday
morning he borrowed pen and ink OF James X.
Wood, and probably wrote the letter found upon
him, which gives tile clue to the cause OF the crime
ON Saturday he also stopped at Mr.. Wardell's, en-
pressing great anxiety to see him immediately say
ing he would write to him and yet met him few
hours after ana seemed to have nothing to say to
him. lie tod Wardell's wife he was going up the
canal on Monday to work, but he told Mr.. Hendricks
that he would come to Gokey's shlpyard on that
wiring on Saturday and 1t appears from the letter
that his mind must nave been IN very dlsordered
state as the letter is disconnected, wlld unit Tor
publication and almost undeclpherable From what
eau lie deciphered OF the writing 1t appears that he
suspected his wife's fidelity to him. and had brooded
1t for long time. In the letter he says that he
gave up q job on the railroad TO come home and
watch her and ind 'heln" out; that he had been IN
Newburg to find out about her. lie says he saw
her IN criminal intimacy with two or three men, and
that be has only been her tool to make money for
her. He accuses another man OF being the father
lie closes the letter with bidding his beloved
mother land sister goodby, and hopes God
will save him, and also requests that he
From All that the neiVhbofs observed his suspicious
were unfounded. II IL not known that Wood had
ever communicated his suspicious 10 any one but
he brooded over them In silence until he
wrought up to the crime Of putting his wife out OF
the way and ending his own llfe lie Is said to have
received some anonymous letters telling him that he
was not the ather OF little George Ho appears also
To have mad some monetary trouble ana TO nave felt
the pressure poverty he complains In his letter
that he has q house full.
SO far as her neighbors know Mrs. Wood has always
conducted herself properly, and the suspicious that
her husband entertained generally thought TO be
baseIess Hts former wife married alter hearing
that he was drowned and Is living at Ellenville,
where Wood and she also resided while they lived
togethe. She Is said to be very fine woman and Of
good family.
The scene Of the tragedy was visited on sunday
by upwards OF 1000 people
This morning Coroner Haggerty held final in
quest upon the remains the verdict has not yet
been rendered.
SMALL SIZED FISK AND vAiosRBlLT WAR