The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-03
HORRIBLE nURDER FOR MONEY
Mysterious Assassination Of n New
York DIillIonairc-Det n fls OF the
Dreadful Deed-Sccne and Circum-
stances of the Trngedy-Theory of
Experts, Sc.

The mysterious and atrocious murder Of Mr.
BENJAMIN Nathan, one OF the wealthest and
most public spirited lsraelite citizens of New
York, at his splendid residence. on Friday
morning, has created an excitement in that
city only paralleled by that aroused by the
Burdell murder some years ago. Mr. Nathan,
having long since amassed o princely fortune
in Wall street, had for some time past retired
practically from business. The Times says:
In his home he was lavish to excess, sur
rounding himself and family with every COM
fort and luxury money could procure, but he
did not spend his substance upon himself eS-
clusively. No man was more unseldsn, more
generous in charity than he, and none WORKED 9,i
purse and time we're equally at the service OF
the needy, and organized charities had the
benefit OF both, and also OF his admirable
administrative ability. he was almost tne
creator of the Mount Sinai Hospital, and to his
management as its president was largely due
the great service which that excellent institu-
ton has rendered humanity. In his time, ID
many ways, he has given away 10 tnis anu am
other eleemosynary institutions large lor-
tune. estimated at $500, 900, and his charity was
all-absorblng, for 1t was not confined 10 ms
own faith or race, but reached and lightened
the loads Of men OF all creeds and linea. g:
TJnripht in ali his business relations, steadtayS
in his friendships, kindly in his ways, Betr
iamIn Nathan, who was native Oh New YORK
city, yesterday morning had reached t9e
mature age of fifty-siX years and seven months
almost without an enemy. He was yet In the
very prime OF life. man OF large size, iuii
habit, imposing appearance, with no sign OF
are upon him save tinge Of gray In his hair
and bushy whiskers. and with his physical and
mental powers unimpaired.
THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY.
Life was undoubtedly pleasant to him. His
home showed how keenly he enjoyed material
existence. The house, No. IL West Twenty,
third street, Is one OF the most elegant anu
spacious OF the private residences OF the city.
IL is situated few doors west OF Flith avenue,
hanked 6y houses Of its own class, and Is in
one of the best neighborhoods in The metropo-
liz IL is four-sLory high-stoop brown-stone
| house. In the basement are the Kitchen ana
laundries. and In the first floor the paror, din
inr-room, buffers pantrles, and spacious nails:
the second floor, on which the murder was
committed, was peculiar IN its arranselIent.
The large front apartment, with two windows
onenInr on Twenty third street, Is reception
room. and door In the west wall opens IN q
small ballroom, fitted up as an office. Back
of II nearest the main hall, Is long dark pas
SAGE way with massive black walnut Clothes
presses, reaching from the floor to the ceiling.
At the other end Of this hall Is bathroom.
These two compartments occupy one-halt the
width of the reception-room, and the other
hall is occupied by two dresslng-rooms. fur
nlshed with marble basins. Next beyond Is
large bedroom, and on the side, with COM
municatIng door, ballroom, like that ID
front. The floors above are divided into
sleeping-rooms, with clothes,presses IN the or
dlnary way, and do not need further descnp-
| ton. ,,,,,.
assassin came to perpetrate one of the most
horrible crimes upon record. For some weeks
Mr. Nathan had been staying at Morristown,
N. J.. with his wife and some OF the otner mem
hars of his family. But his tute and his 1lllal
piety brought him 10 the city Thursday alter
| noon. 1t Is custom OF the jewish laltI lor
the son to offer prayers IN the synagogue ior
the repose OF the SOU OF q deceased paIsnI !a.
| mon each anniversary of the DEATH Friday
was the anniversary OF his mothers death, and
| II was for the purpose of Offering these prayers
| in the synagogue in Nineteenth street. near
Fifth avenue, that Mr.. Nathan came to the city
Thursday afternoon. He was to stay but one
| night. and the bedrooms being III disorder IN
consequence of the absence OF the family. he
| caused a bed 10 be made up for him IN the
| recepiiop-room which was done BY placing
| four mattresses on the floor. one above another.
The bed was made with the head to the west
wall OF the room and about midway between
| the door oDening into the hall and that open.
inm into the hall room used as private office,
| in which is q small Herring safe, an escretoirc
some chairs, paintings, and various other ar
! ticles OF ornament.
The hour at which Mr.. Nathan retired &c
rest IS not positively known, but It was before
midnight. and he was asleep at 1920 O'Clock
When lie retired he divested himself of all his
clothing, putting on night shirt reaching
nearly to the feet, and placed his clothes on
chair near the mantel. on the east side OF the
room. His shirt had in the bosom three dia
mond studs, of IL carat each. In his vesl
pocket was large gold hunting-case watch
Jnrcensen's make, No. 742l, and stem
winder. to which was attached q heavy gold
link chain, with two seals, one OF which ), was
monogram composed of the letters B. N. IT
the pockets of his pantaloons were the keys o
his safe and his pocketbook, containing vaua
hle papers and probably some money, but now
much IS not known.
TIE MIDNIGHT HOUR.
A.. 10 ,,nIoci or n moment or two after tina