The New York herald., 1870-09-10
TEE SEAvERHs MURDER.
Examination Of the Murderer Buffum at New
burg-He is Held to Await the Action
OF tho Grand Jury-His Counsel
Pleads Inranity for Him

~ea" 4-, NEwBuRo, Sept 0, 1870
The examination OF Robert Buffam. the murderer
Of John l.. seaverns, commenced a. che Court House
In this city on Friday morning, before the Coroner,
w. J. Macdonald. The murderer, who has quite
recovered nom the injuries inflicted on himself in
his recent attempt at suicide, brought into the
court room at eleven O'Clock and assigned to seat
near his counsel, ]. HalOck Drake Buflum IL u VII
famous looking, lowbrowcd individual. with glarlDg
black eyes, Jet black hair, moustache aud chin
whiskers. He was dressed in Scotch mixed coat
and vest, black pants and white shirt. The express
sion Of his countenance one OF intense socltude
ana he narrowly watched counsel, witnesses and
coroner.
For day or two previous to the examination he
was greatly depressed, and had very little 10
say TO anybody. lie Is watched and attended
night and day by four men, who relieve each other
by twos every twelve hours. This morning the court
room was crowded by citizens OF Newburg, who are
interested In seeing justice done III this case. The
first witness examined was DR.. w. A. NJ. Culbert,
who was The first to enter the house OF the murdered
man on the evening OF the tragedy. lie testided In
substance as follows:-l am q practising physician
ana ana surgeon IN the. city OF Newburg; knew
eId resded L. o ssaSeFns nav sro the murdered man. he
Tor 70 so TO his house on the evening Of the 30h OF
August; entered the front door, passed through
Seaverns was sitting at the table and his position
was SO le-like that spoke to him, supposing him
receiving no response, went up TO him and raised
his head, Which had dropped upon his breast; the
had been nearly instantaneous, ana so sudden was
u that the murdered man had not In the least moved
fiom the position which ne occupied before the
shot was ured; the knife was still in his right hand
and piece OF bread or cracker in his left his hands
still being supported on the table; examined the
half inches below and behind the LETT ear; this
was undoubtedly the cause OF death. The cross
examination OF this witness was waived by defend
ants counsel. John D. Tuthi Under SherIfrof Orange
county, was next sworn, and testified rs TO the
Sunstsnces nn,s attending as and following ihs
the HERALD IN the accounts of the Coroner's pre-
liminary examination. John D0tlerr, gunsmlth.
committed as the one when lie had sold to Burum
on the morning before the murder; Bunum asked
had feared some mischief was intended he put in a
very light load OF powder; Bulrum, dissatisfied with
this, took the things ana loaded the pistol himself
putting Ia very heavy charge OF powder and 100"
6uckshot the charge OF powder was SO heavy
that witness feared The pistol might burst
or some part OF it might DC broken; Bullum
seemed TO nave been on a SPREE Kate Callahan
the servant grl who got the tea ready on the night
murderer enter the house, to hearing the pistol shot
after which she lett the ou in fright; did not see
Bllifum when he fired tho pistol; heart Mrs. Sea-
verns' scream, "Oh! my husband, my husbandp'
Cross-exanination:-3u; did not seem 20 be
excited; ne did nor speak 70 me- District Attorney
TIE case OIL tle part OF the
people. then stated that mad no further
testimony TO offer. He had intended 10
place Mrs. Seaverns on the witness stand, but on
sending for her this morning she was found 80 III as
not To be able 10 come to the court room. lie sup
posed sufficient testimony had already been intro
duced to prove the commission Of the crime and to
connect the prisoner with that crime. Mr.. Drake,
the prisoners counsel, said he would offer no tes.
timOny, anu he did not think the prisoner was In u
ut mental condition TO go upon the stand. The
Coroner then addressed Bnfinnl as follOws:-
Bnfum, yol have been charged with the murder OF Mr.
seaverns, as have stated 10 before.
that at liberty answer any questions
which may be put TO you ON this examination.
Mr.. Drake-On behalf OF the defendant we 40 re-
fuse 10 answer any questions. We put our refusal
upon tie ground that the defendant. ~ insane.
The Coroner then luly committed the prisoner TO
await the action OF the Grand Jury, and lie was re-
malued his cell.