The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-08-09
The Nathan Murder.

Never since the murder of Dr. Burdel,
and still later, of Mr.. Rogers, has any
community been so shockingly startled as
was New York, Friday morning, on re-
ceiving intelligence of the brutal murder
of Mr.. Benjamin Nathan, which occurred
during the previous night. Mr.. Nathan
arrived in New York Thursday evening
from Elizabeth, N. j., where with his
famly,hc had been spending some days
He occupied room on the second floor
at No II West Twenty Third street, op-
posite the Fifth avenue hotel, and retired
at 10 o'clock. 1t is supposed that he was
murdered about midnight, although no
one in the house knew anything about
the crime till morning when his son,
Washington Nathan, on coming down
stairs, noticed that the door of his fathers
room was open. Looking in he discover
ed the dead body of his father, CARRIED in
night shirt, stained in many places with
blood, while the face and head were so
beclotted with gore that no part of the
skin was untouched. A pool of blood,
five feet in length and of equal width had
sunk into the carpet, while the paint of
the doorway was greatly stained, chairs
were overturned, etc. There were terri
BILE gashes on the head and face. Each
eye was closed and the surroundings were
black and enormously sweled. BY the
side Of the body laid an iron bar, IS
inches long and half an inch in diameter.
The murderer had apparently secreted
himself in high wardrobe in the closet.
He probably proceeded to the chair on
which lay the victims clothing as the
safe keys in the pocket were distracted,
and the coat had fallen to the floor.
Next, probably, he went the to safe. 1t is
supposed that the noise of his opening
it awoke Mr. Nathan, who rushed to the
studio and seized him. Considering the
number of wounds given, the struggle
must have been prolonged, and it is sing.
ular that no cries for help were heard
either in the street through the open win
dows, or by those in the house. After
the murder was accomplished the safe ap
pears to have been sacked. 1t is sup
!, posed Mr.. Nathan either had but $500
in cash there, or he had likewise deposit
ed 100000 in United States bonds
Everything of value was taken excep
some papers. A diamond on the bosom
; of the shirt worn by Mr.. Nathan wa
also taken. The murderer escaped
through the front door, leaving traces o
' blood in his departure.
: The police were at once notified of tn
L tragedy, and Superintendent Jordan
promptly took possession of the house
: forbidding any access thereto, reporter
$ as well as others being excluded. Tn
detectives are hard at work and ar
sangune of ferreting out the murdere
or murderers, as there is evidence to shoy
d that the crime was not committed by on
u man alone. Mayor Hill has offered
! reward for their detection, and the stoc
l. exchange, of which Mr.. Nathan was
J. wealthy member, has already offered tn
l. large sum Of $4,000. Three carpenter
a who did some work in the house, Thur;
= day, have been arrested on suspicion.
y Mr.. Nathan was born in New York i
= 1913. His father was an American an
l. his mother before marriage Miss Her
y riques one of the old Knickerbocke
= families and a leading belle. Youn
Nathan was aducated under the diret
supervision of his father, and was mos
e accomplished classical scholar When h
l. was % years Of age, he was taken int
e partnership by his father, and in sho1
u time, the capital of the firm was almo
Il doubled. He retired from active bus
y ness about two years ago, with FORUM
' of some s2,000,0O0, leaving two sons {
r. his successors. On Thursday Afternoon
u obout :, o'clock, Mr.. Nathan visited ii
N o.".U "a 'io"aiu, Laipsiey ~ NO., NO
" Exchange place, and effected the purcha,
of large amount of stocks On takin
4 his departure, he left his overcoat, sayin
y he would call for it the next day, on h
= return from New Jersey. The coat
# still hanging where he left it. Mr. Natha
4 was passionately fond of art, and h
houue contains one of the finest collection
of paintings in the city. He leaves tie
children.