Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-23
The Vanderpool Murder Trial.

The Vanderpooi Murder Trial.
The long and exciting trial of George w.
Fandcrpool, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, tor the
murder of Herbert Field, at Manistee, in that
State on the 5th of September, 1869, for
ed on Saturday last by the jury disagreeing,
and the prisoner was remanded ior the fourth
time. The case. has been on trial twenty-sevcn
days, and the strongest legal talent of the
State has been engaged on both sides. The
man murdered was native of Lewiston, Maine,
but twenty one years old. He was somewhat
unstable, having led q rowing sailors life Tor
some years before settling down in Manistee,
after being wrecked on the Russian coast. In
Manistee the partnership was formed with
George w. Vanderpool which seems to have
resulted so fatally.
The two young men went into banking; Field
investing 1000 in the enterprise and Wander.
pool So, 500. In 1869 Field again became rest
less and tried to retire from the firm. Some
difficulty seems to have been thrown in the
way by Vanderpool, and for time the two
seemed harmoniously mated. Finally the de-
the partnership. TO adjust matters satsfac-
torily the two partners entered the bank to-
gether quite late on Saturday night. What
took place cannot be known. Field never was
seen alive aiterward. Twelve days later, how
ever. his body. shockingly mangled, was found
in the lake, mary miles from Manistcc. For
time suspicion Jailed to tasten upon VaDderpOol.
Every detail and every trace Of the dreadful
crime were caught up and woven into shape,
and finally the law aud evidence found Wander
pool alone the only person that could have
motive or opportunity for the murder OF Her
bert Field. He was brought to trial, and it
was shown that Vauderpoo! must have made
way with Field between the hours of Q O'Clock
Saturday night and II o'clock Sunday morning.
at which time Vanderpool was seen entering
the bank. He was dressed so sbabbily as 10
attract the attention of friends who met him.
and it is since supposed that he was thus at
tired in furtherance Of what followed. lie en-
tered the bank and locked himself in, ard it
seems that he occupied himself in burning 4
vest and removing the traces of the tragedy
The bank carpets were cut up. and It was al
terwaras found that they were deeply stained
with blood, which Vanderpool claims came
from his nose. The spittooD was filled with blood
and water, and the floors beneath the bank
Offices were saturated with blood. Field was
not inquired for till "Wednesday, and then Van
derpool careless!y intimatcd that he had taken
a iaunt to Chicago. The books OF the bank
we're examined, and it was shown that there
was due Field over $3, 639. Forgeries, 100, of
great or less extent were discovered, everything
indicating the interest OF Vanderpool in the
disappearance of his partner. In the back
was found piece OF rope, and on The body OF
the corpse another, evidently OF the same piece
In the course of the next three days the bloody
carpets and other traces OF crime were remoV-
ed from the bank, tho carpets cut into trag
ments and burned, and the floor and walls
Ia I,,N
The trail is followed out step by step. and
strong case of circumstantial evidence Is made
against the accused. Every movement OF Van
derpool, from the fatal entry OF the bahk on
Saturday night till his sarrest twelve days there
after, is followed with incredible detail. Every
thing tells against the accused. The defence
was from the first weak and confused, and the
new trial was granted simply because public
feeling ran so strongly against the defendant.
He claims that the blood in the bank CAME
from bis nose the most eminent Western sci
entists assert, after careful analysis under The
microscope, that the stains show beyond the
shadow OF doubt that the blood corpuscles
belonged to human being. aud one al just
about the age of the murdered Field.
During the interminablo horrors OF the thai
Vauderpool, who is native vf Western New
York, has borne himself composedly, and the
sympathy OI uElly Has uccu tttiaClCo w
through bis wife, most beautiful and accom-
plished woman, who has comiorted her wretch
ed husband through the whole fearful agony,
believing firmly 10 his innocence and hna ac-
quital.
THE OLDEST MAN, in Mississippi is John
Owens, Of Itawamba county. He reached Ill
in October, and never in his life has he taken
dose of ealomel or blue mass. or had to do
with low suit. Hc is native of North Caro-
lima, from which State he went to Tennessee.
For the last 40 years he has resided IN North
Mississippi, and previously spent fifty years ~
Jackson county, Alabama. Ills second mar
rage took place when he was 94 and he has
been q pious and consistent churchman or
seventy-hve years. ........
There is in Springfield, Massachusetts, a
family which in one respect may claim me
championship OF the State, Each enc of its
nine members, with siugle exception, was
horn upon holiday-the father upon thc
Fourth of July, the mother on Christmas, tue
first child on Thanksgiving day, the second on
Christmas, the third on Independence day, the
fourth and fifth each on New Years, the sixth
three weeks before Christmas (sght dlscre'
pancy there), and the seventh on Christmas.
Probably parallel case cannot be touod.
NASSIMERES, CLOTHS AND BEAVERS.
Just opened, another large addition TO OUT
stock Of Cloths and Cassimeres for suits.
Beavers for overcoats.
4 ~. lok .l,~