The New York herald., 1870-01-22
A DUTCHESS COUNTY MYSTERY.
Death Of . Wealthy Farmer-Singular Obstruo-
ton to coroner-Indignation Of the
Peopie-No One Will Testify.

PorGHKEgPSIE. JAM II, 1870.
On the night Of January 8, as already reported In
'he HERALD. the residence OF Robert Thorn. q
Dutchess county farmer, residing on the Hacken-
sack road. Mx miles from shis city, was visited by
three masked burglars ~ ihs dead Of night. They
called the old man from his bed. knocked HIM down
anc beat him, then placed him In Q chair and bound
ana gagged him. They also beat, bound and gagged
his housekeeper and then robbed the house OF
$500 In greenbacks, all the money they could find.
There was much excitement over the affair at the
time but neither Mr.. Thorn or his housekeeper
seemed dessrous Of telling all they knew about the
matter. vague hints were thrown out as TO who the
villains were, but even The police acted drowsly
over the AFFAIR. Night before last Mr.. Thorn died.
proceeded TO the Coroner's once to ascertain II any
inquest was 70 be held, when Coroner Andrus
stated that there would be- and started down tho
street to see Mr.. Thorn's attending physician, Dr.
John r. Cooper. That gentlemen Informed DR.. An
drus that he was unwilling to testify that the beating
Mr.. Thorn received on the night OF tho attack was
the cause Of his death, but that 1t might have
fastened It. An intimate friend OF deceased con-
CURED In the physlcan's views, and rather urged
That an inquest should be dispensed with. Lie also
did not wish 70 have the case gain any more noto-
riety in the papers than was actually necessary.
Coroner Andrus thus concluded to hold no in
quest decision which, UNDER the circumstances,
was certainly strange one and which draws out
much criticism; but the Coroner was without doubt
obstructsd In mis- duties In an Indirect manner by
she opportunities Of Robert Thorn's friends.
No one doubts that the old mans death was
caused BY the burglars, and the people are indignant
think that information IN relation to the ruflans
ls TO Oil appearances suppressed and the wheels OF
justice cogged. Mr. Tnorn, previous to the defaca
non OF the notorious Richard Aiken, his son-in.law
who created such an excitement IN New York city
some time ago was worth about $220, ,000 Aiken,
am told BY an Intimate friend OF the family, robbed
him Oi &65,000, and told also,
tnat short time previous 10 the attack on Mr..
Thorn which caused his dcasn, Aiken arrived In this
city one night after dark registered his name at the
Pou2hkeepsle Hotel and decamped the next morning
by daylight. This since his New York defacauo
Oncer Graham OF this city has stated In substance
that no knows who committed the burglary and
attack but that he could get neither Mr.. Thorn nor
his housekecper to make an anldavid, con.
sequently no claims he could not act.
IL was hoped that coroner's inquest would be
held n for no other reason than to secure the
statement Of Mrs, Jane Pratt, who, 1t is believed.
KNOWS who committed the murderous attack, but
who remains silent partly through the importunl-
Ties OF the deccased's friends and partly through
fear. The whole case Is shrouded In the
deepest mystery and Is The topic OF conversation
such an attack can be made IN such manuer, and
that the victim dies and that no steps taken to
thoroughly investigate the AFFAIR is disgrace to the
county and Ii anOLher invitation TO thieves and
derers TO come TO this section where they may pur
sue their nefarious avocation successfully. The lace
and head Of deceased, viewed In the cOln to-day
u black and blue, and presents bad appearance