The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-11
THE IODINE MURDER TRIAL.
A Deaf and Dumb Negro Arraigned
for Murder.
An Exceedingly Important Case--Misccseua.
tioD and It's Results in Ulster County.
A Prominent Official Alleged to be tho Father
Of tho Prisonsr-An Interview with the
Murderer The Thrsadbare Plea
Of Insanity Again.

L
vable notorieU for lawlessness ana crime ana
which has Justly received the nneuphoHious cogno
men OF The Ucerp county OF the State, has WITHIN
the last six months been The scene OF no less than
four cold FLOODED and brutal murders SIX suicides.
| four elopements--in one OF which divine ngurca
largely-wbe outrsges against female chas'ity are
fearfly upon the increase. II being the termin US
| Of the Delaware and Hudson Canal large number
OF boatInen constantly within the county lmts'
These boatIneu. generally speaking, are OF the
lowest class, yalung human life no more than
that or a dog, fearing neither God nor man.
giving themselves MP their beast.y passions and
committing crimes with nigh handed rec klessness
The Ieniency and laxlty hitherto shown by both
courts and jures In permitting crime have also con-
triputed the present demOralized state OF affairs
In The county. Although many murders have been
committed within its borders only one has ever paid
the death penalty, ana that
SLAVE GIRL,
who was convicted and hung over seventy I've years
ago for the drowning OF little girl the daughter of
her mistress Probably Of I'LL the crimes ever COM
United IN the county none was more appalling or
strocious than the murder OF Daniel A. HasDronck
In February last, which 80 startied and thrilled the
whole community.
TUB MURDERER,
Levi Bodine deaf and dumb negro, IL abont eight
cen years OF age. entirely uneducated and was born
In the Ulster County Poorhouse. His mother Is "a
negro woman. named Margaret Grim. his father be-
prominent Official OF Ulster county. The prisoner
received the name Of Levi B0dine from the county
Mr.. Hasprouck from the poorhouse TO do chores on
his farm, and up To The time OF the murder had lved
and worked there. He was Of very vicious and cruel
disposition, which would manifest Itself In the
abuse Of animals. He could hardly pass without
striking them he would kill chickens out Of pure
righteousness ami had an extreme enmity against
cas-, frequently catching them by the tails and
throwing them up IN the air Or against the house
barn.
Daniel A. Hasbrouck, was about frty-nve years OF
aye, and ono OF the most wealthy and influential
his heart, took Bodne from the poorhouse and
gave MIN good comfortable home and uncon-
his benefactor deadly sting The deceased ieii q
widow, daughter aud a host OF friends to mourn
his untiInely end.
THE MURDER PREMEDTATED
iodine had many times before the day OF the muir
der threatened to Kill his master, and SO often mad
these threats been made that the neighbours advised
the deceased to get rid OF the negro. To these
admonishings he took no heed. On the morning Of
the murder Bodine appeared to be out or sorts and
by signs indicated that he intended killing me de.
ceased.
THE MURDER
was committed on the 18th Of February, 1870. Il
appears Bodne had been sent 10 the woodpiIe In the
morning 10 chop wood. While engaged the
pile and told the prisoner TO so and yoke
up the oxen, whereupOn the negro win
al hum, hitting him upon the hand. scun,e then
ensued Tor the possession Of the weapon. The negro
and then Deliberately struck him two murderous
blows 10 the head and face with the edge OF the axe
scattering the brains and blood Of his victim around,
and only desisteu from his 1endish work upon the
| approach OF TWO men towards the scene, when he
Al once fed to tenant house short distance or,
and there informed the terror-strlcken household OF
1 what lie mad done.
| THE ARREST.
The neghbors and laborers upon the farm soon
tuied for the perperator of the deed. He was soon
| after found al the tenant house above mentioned
and was arrested, and again acknowledged 70 his
capiors by signs having committed the crime.
Ropes were brought and the prisoner securely tied.
Wien he saw the rope no mOtioned as II TO know If
lie was TO be hung and began to CRY. The prisoner
was then taken before the justice FOR examination
The news Of the murder soon spread through.
Out the neghborhood and In q short time
a large and excited crowd gathered about the Office.
threats of vengeance II was with the greatest dim
Guilty that the officers kept him from the hands of
the mob The prisoner was FASTENED of to the jail at
Kingston AT midnight for fear Of the excited and en-
ragged popuace. So strong was the feeling against
tue accused That even the police officer was hnbued
with 1t, and on the way TO Kingston he gave the
prisoner every chance 10 attempt an escape hoping
as he says, he might nave had AN opportunity to
shoot him.
AN INTERVIEW wrrH THE PRISONER
On Friday morning HERALD reporter, IN COM
pany with District Attorney Westbrook DR.. Isaac l..
New York, and Henry d. Reeves "a deaf mute and
teacher in the above institute, visited Bodine in
the Professor or MS assistant could communicate
with him. The party were welcomed by the prisoner
with manifestations OF pleasure. Or. Peet soon be-
| gan asking him by Signs II he had com.
| mltted the murder. To THESE questions Bodine
! responded IN Qrotesque pantenimes, drawing vivid
/ pictures or The bloody scene, impressing upon
the minds OF the intervlewers that he mad been first
attacked, Showing scar upon his forehead, clutch
| as II he was being choKed: then rs IL with a
frantic effort he tore the hands from his throat and
motioned AZ though struggle had ensued. At last
q hn LSQn "a hn anavs
with Wild and excited eye. he shows how, with an
n5s =, he m gave c,o the Terrible blows and
| head resting on his hand and with his eyes closed,
denetng chat he had killed deceased. he then
had hed his hands behind MIN. This was ali That
could be gathered from the prisoner, and. upon his
being pressed. he would Herely go through the
his cell the prisoner, with tears in his eyes; made
signs as II rope being placed around his neck,
then pointed upwards. as II 10 Inquire II he was 10
be hung.
At the session 81 the supreme Court, now being
held at Kingston, Lustice Hogeboom presiding The
case was called for trial. II probably presents one
OF t"e most Important questions Of law that has
arisen In the state or the countryOne IN which the
whole legal fraternity will feel deep interest. and
Its proceedings WIZ be watched with intense eager
| the nneducated deaf and dumb before the
law. Upon tho opening OF the case D. M. Dewitt,
nent % the Court the fac, Of his aHe Client
/ beng an uneducsted deaf mute: that he rhe
| counsep was unable TO communicate with him In
any way that II Impossible to convey 60 the mind
Of the prisoner the different degrees OF homicide;
that there II no way 10 inform the accused of his
! right 10 challenge Jurors; that he cannot he sworn
! In his own behalf, and that the law benignly pros
vfdes that he shall not be tried. unless, at the time
OF the trial ne be competent TO understand the de.
tails OF the case and prepare for the trial as 10
be able To put 10 proper defence rhe counsel
si,sd me case O. Freeman vs. The People 10 which
gate the CONDITION Of the prisoners mind.
| District Attorney WestbrOOK, IN replying said
| that the counsel for the prisoner presented no
claim that the accused was insane, a. that term III
| generally nnderstood; that the prisoners sanity
was nndIspuIed; that there was no malformati0n OF
the brain and that the prisoner difIered FROM other
| persons whose sanity ls unquestoned only in his
| inability to hear and speak The counsel further
SAID that the neighbors ana family OF the
deceased were able 10 communicate with the