The New York herald., 1870-05-03
THE LONG ISLAND MYSTERY.
Nostraad Supposed TO Have Committed Sui
cide-Au the Facts.

The article published in the HERALD yesterday
relative to the horrible death Of David Nostrand OF
Jericho, Long, Island, created the most profound
CONSERVATION, as the subject OF the article was
more widely know and universally respected.
During the day there fingered about the premises
small groups Of people, all expressing sorrow for
his untimely end and sympathy for his family. The
house In which he lived Is Of ancient structure
though lately rebuilt to keep pace with modern i'm
provements. II is situated on high mound, over
looking two beautiful ponds where flourish gold
and silver fishes To the of the house is located
the farm and pastures comprising l4O acres all
being under cultivation. To the southwest of the
house is located the barns aud outbundings, they
being sulro unded by the ponds above referred to
into OF which n0ws the refuse OF the stables In
the most southery Of these occurred the frightful
the barns are all connected, and tins one was
partly filled with hay from the window OF which the
cattle are fed. 10 ascend the NOW it was necessary
to pass through most of tho adjoining buildings and
then squeeze the body through u small hole. 1t was
into this apartment that Nostrand's little Oh
served him trying to get, when he grew furious and
sc0ded the little fellow for following him. 1t was
customary for the boy to follow him about as they
worked together and were seldom apart. This was
ON Friday and on Saturday at noon he was found
to be missing
Early in the morning he gave orders to the men
to go to their work in the 1eids, and sent his son
to attend an auction at Hicksve, much against the
little fellows Will. He was seen about the premises
at about eight O'Clock and when in the house looked
so wild that he frightened his wife. He went out
but when dinner time arrived ne did not return and
the household began to fear for hts safety All
were In search OF him, but ne could not be
found. A line was missing from the harness in the
barn. and this caused the hrst suspicion. On going
into his room one OF his two raZors gOre, and
then occurred suspicion number two. Search was
made for him in every direction, but without avail,
when Mr.. Seaman took up fork and opened a
window Of the hayoft, when the mystery was
revealed; for there suspended from beam
by the neck, with his clothes covered with
body of the unfortunate man. The poor wife went
into fits at beholding It, as did also the little boy,
while those around shuddered with horror. II was
not known that he had cut his throat until cut down,
when the head became reversed. part Of the rope
was cut, and hts long whiskers was divided 0nehalf
remaining the chin and the other balf made last
to the lower portion OF the neck by the rope The
body left in tile barn until 1t had been reviewed
by the Coroner.
Upon a beam running north and south was found
q vial and half bottle OF opium labelled "Cast0r
oil ~ about 0ne-third OF t having been used. IL is
thought that he attempted self-destructiOn In this
way: but no testimony can be had on this point.
An analysis Of the contents OF the bottle proved that
it was Too weak TO be elective. He was man OF
medium height, stout build and healthy complexion.
He was forty-five years OF age, ana had been mar
ried eighteen years. He leaves vile and three
children.
Justice Franklin OF oyster bay held the inquest in
the absence OF the Coroner. The jury reviewed the
corpse &nd the premises, and finally returned ver
dict OF death by violence at his own hands. The
body was placed on ice and the wounds seweu up.
The funeral will take place to-day, and Will be
largely attended, as he was the leading man In his
native town.