The New York herald., 1870-02-18
THE ULSTER COUNTY HORROR

Death Of the victim-The Murder Wilfal nnd
Promeditassd- -lntcresting Statements aud
Strange sympathy.
PoU0HKEEPsTE, Feb. II, 1870.
Daniel A. Hasbrouck, the victim Of the recent
tragedy Ohioynfe Ulster county. died at seven
O'Clock this morning. Since his head was 70 lear
fully chopped on Tuesday he has remained entirely
unconscious, except for . moment on the afternoon
of the day OF the murder, while the physicians were
removing pieces OF bone from his skull. Then in
great agony essmplyeejaeulated, ION, dontr' ana
since then spoke not word.
THE MURDER PREMEDITArED.
Since the affair information has iraDspIred which
SHOWS mat the murder was wilfni and premedi-
tated. dozen years ago or more Mr.. Hasbrouck
made visit to the Ulster County Poorsouse, and
while there observed deaf and dumb negro boy,
who went by the name OF Levi Taxing o liking 80
him he resolved 70 pring him ND, aud for taat pur
pese removed him from the Almshouse TO his own
country residence where the negro soon learned u
work and gave general satisfaction After year OF
two Mr.. HasDronck, finding him disObeo lent at
times, punished him. and the mute ran away, but
came back again. Twice more he ran away the
last escapade occurring about Six years aye. When
ne returned the last time It is stated that Mr. Has
brouck punished him severely, and tnenceforward
the disposition of the mute was changed.
tenant residing on Mr.. HasDr0uckfs farm, by
coming daily fl contact with the negro. ha1 par
tlaiy learned his dumb way OF talking, ana mute
gave the tenant TO understand by significant Signs
and gestures that he would be revengei on the
farmer wnen he became stronger and older. There
were several such interviews beJwe the TWO, and
the tenant always made Mr. Hasbrouck ACQUAINTED
with them, and constantly urged him TO get rid 0f
the man, as he was sure he would create mischief.
Others VINO had been threatened Dy the prisoner also
urged Mr.. HasbrOuck 10 send him away. the latter,
however, laughed on the advice, ana alway ended
up by saying he could handle him. One year ago
the negro was repr0yed again, and again he made
MIA tnreats this time more violent Than ever.
A TUsSLE FOR THE AXE.
On the fatal morning, under instructions from Mr..
Hasbrouck, the mute went to the wood pile and
commenced chopping wood. Mr.. HasDronck came
up soon after aud commenced to find fault about
sonletning. the sukiness Of the neglO 30 notice.
able the night previous and on the morning OF the
murder suddenly left MIN and from his eyes shot
defiance, mailce and revenge. Observing the nute's
hand shaking nervously upon the axe handle ana
having presentment OF danger, Mr. AasbrOuck
suddenly grasped the handle 700, and immediately
severe tnssle ensued for the possession OF The mr
derOue weapon.
While thus they wrested. the one for revenge and
from the house, shouted Murder ~ and ran out OF
SIGHT. Two neignborS hearing tue cry ran towards
the spot, and IN the meantime the mute had sue
ceeded IN wrestling the axe from Mr.. HasorOuck and
sunk the blade into three different places IN the
farmers race the b.00d gushing from the wounds
IN streams. Breaking away from the murderer
the poor man ran q short distance, closely
pursued by the infuriated brute, VINO gave hNn
another crushing blow, tIs time sinking the blade
OF the four inches Into the left shoulder or the
vict,m. Covered with gore, FAINT and dying, the
poor man fell prostrate ana then, as II to make his
Hendsn work dQuby sure. the frenzied mute as the
neiEnboTs approached the spot was seen bralning
his victim. AS the farmer lay upon his lace IN
the snow the negro using Inc butt end OF the
axe, brought it down twice with terrlhle force
upon the p0sterlor part OF the Skull, crushing
IL In aud then, seeing the nelghbOrs started on v
run across the nelds carrying the axe with him,
but after cropping II IN the snow. Going
further, he waded through deep snowdrifts for an
eig htn Of mile till he reached the tenants house.
When ne arrived there ne proceeded to ASSIST
loading q load " wood.
II DUMB CONFESSION.
While at work he suddenly commenced TO make
gestures and signs showing now ne had been Aght-
Ing with MIR. Hasbrouck, and initiated cnopping
with an axe. He was hardly understood at first,
but the tenant, who az previously stated, was lny
conversant with his dumb way OF talking watched
his gestures with feariu mlsgis ings, which misev
lngs were greatly strengthened q messenger hur
ried by Tor doctor, the mute pointing NJ the latter
and laughing. fne entire affair was soon known by
every one IN tue vicinity ansthe negro's arrest was
enected without trouble.
SCENE IN THE JUSTICES COURT.
Yesterday afternoon the murderer heavily 1rOnet
and tied hand and foot, was taken before . New
PATTI justice. Ii was singular court scene, and tn
room was crowded. Justice Hood could do nothing
other deaf ana dumb man was found VINO knew TN
mutes' ALPHABET but the prisoner mad never Learned
It. therefore could not enter into conversation. Ill
gestures which were no doubt, full OI the deepes
meaning awaited nothing, ana ne was sent 10 KING
ston jail. No one knows his true name. lie
called Levi, and some say his surname - Bodine
but there IL no proof Of 1t. He is about eigntee
and heayy-rsted. HIS features are savage and r.
1 uulstvp.