The New York herald., 1870-09-01
THE NEWBURG HORROR.
the Death of Mr.. Seayerns---Wa.
the Murderer Insane?
The COronsrs Inquest-The Prisoner 10 be
Fully Committed.
THE EXCITEMENT AT NEwBURG.

NFwBURG August 81, 1870.
At seven O'Clock last evening the clizens OF this
city were shocked with the report that one OF the
prominent business men OF the place had been shot
dead while taking supper with his family. The par
ticuars OF the sad aair foll0ws:--The victim
was John L. Seaverns, proprietor OF the paper ma
chinery works on the Washington Iron Works Dock
The murderer gives his name Lieutenant Bufrum.
At the time stated above he walked into Mr.. Sea-
verns residence, going through the main hallway
a stealthy manner till he reached the door which
opened into the dining room. In the room at this
time, seated at the supper table, Mr. Seaverns
and his wife, Mr. Seaverns' back being towards the
hall door. His vile was sitting opposite to him.
silently and cautiously the assassin approached
his vlcnm. He entered the dining room
seen by Mrs. Seaverns. Once In he walked quickly
up 10 his victim anG fred a single shot. The ball
entered Mr.. Seaverns neck about an inch and half
below and behind the ear, passing through the spinal
cord, cansing death instantaueously. Mrs. Scaverns
shroked
40 JpHN You ARE sHoTr'
But Mr.. Seayerns made no reply. His head sank
upon hrs breast and he seemed 70 try TO raise his
eyes In token OF recognition, but this probably
only a convusive movement. When the fatal bullet
struck mm he was in the act OF spreading butter
a piece OF bread. In his right hand he held the
knife and between the first and second fingers OF
the left hand piece or bread. For one hour after
death he sat IN the same position, ana when
the undertaken laid out the body force had
to be used TO remove the knife. lie sat
bolt upright in his chair, with only his
head bowed. AS soon as possible after the
occurrence Mrs. Seaverns to the front
door, and, seeing Mr.. Robert s. smith passing, she
exclaimed. "My husband has been murdered; do
run for DOCTOR" DR.. Culbert arrived soon after,
but he could do nothing. By this time crowds had
commenced to assemble. The murderer did not a.
tempt to injure Mrs. seavcrns, but Immediately
after he had committed the deed ran through the
basement entry went up stairs to the third moor OF
the house and stood ut the head OF the stairs At
the time Of The murder Deputy Sheriff Tuthill was
standing at the south entrance or the Court House.
He heard the report OF the pistol and went over
Mr. Seaverns' house to see II anything was wrong,
and on arriving there ascertained what had taken
place. He then went up the front stoop and
opening the door the murderer at the
head Of the stairs, with the pistol In
his nand. The Sheriff was unarmed and hcsitated.
The murderer SAID nothing, but looked as II he
meant to do further mischief. His eyes glared ike
wild beasts and had any one attempted to approach
hlm there Is no doubt that he would have fred
on him. IL is stated that he pointed the pistol
threateningly toward the door A messenger was
at once sent to police headquarters, and Marshal
Goodrich was notified. lie armed himself with
revolver and club and. taking with him olncer An
Farrell proceeded TO the residence or Mr..
Seaverns. Statoning the officer at the basement
entrance IN the rear, he himself went TO the front
door, about which by this time u large crowd
had collected. The murderer was still nj the head
OF the stairs Seeing the men at the door he walked
back INTO The east room on the third story, lnd his
pistol, double barreed one, on table, came back
to the head OF the stairs and confronted the Mar
shal aud Sheriff at the front door. He gayly took
or his beaver and, making bow, said,
"GENrLEMEN, DO you VAST MET
The Marshal said yes want you y and grasped
him by the arm and started him for the JAM The
vast crowd which had by this time collected pressed
closely alter ihe prisoner, many shouting, Lynch
would be done, but the jail was not far OF and the
officers renched the place with their charge In
Gazette as j. Buflem, was placed in cell two
three prominent citizens visited him. Accosting one OF
them ne said, Lets have drink" He was asked II
he wanted some water, when he nodded his head
pitcher OF water was brought hin. when ne
passed his hand TO and fro over IT, as If mesmeriz
Ing II; then suddenly holding his mead down he
said "Do you see anything thereW sapping his
hand on the. top OF hls head.
The following may throw some light upon the con-
dton OF The prisoners mind on the day 0; the mur
DER
STATEMENT OF CHARLES l.. YOUNG.
Mr.. Young Is the Keeper Of billiard saloon IN
Water street. which was frequently visited by Bulfum
during his stay IN THIS city. Mr.. foung's statement
Is as iOllows;-"ADouta week ago first saw Bunum;s
he came into the saloon and said he was agent for
a patent medicine, which he represented TO be q
sovereign cure for aches and pains especially for
neuralgia and headache; he left bottle here for my
uncle TO try He said ne had a box Of The remedy
and wanted to know ir this was not go0d town
10 canvass for such medicine. After some conver-
saiion with him he took drink and Icit. He has
been In The saloon several times since then. lie
came here yesterday morning Monday about eight
O'Clock, In company with Joseph seaverns of The
deceased IL seems tnat lie ana this Joseph had
been talking about going on 10 some insane hospital
and POughkeep5e was mentioned. he asked me II
there was one nj roughkccpsc. told him didn't
know. lie said he understood there was ana he
wanted to 90 the up boat, and he was trying 10
induce his friend Joseph TO go up with hun. He
stood here and talked some time, and asked me H I
was good writer. He wished me 10 write a recon-
mendation from General Grant 10 the PouRnkeepsIe
Insane Hospital. lie said he would dictate Ihe
words. The recommendation was TO run In tins
way
The bearer, Lieutenant BuGnns the jmmor,a tUe,
constituted forlorn hope connuni
the South and southwest war e
taken prisoner and cast into Andcrsonvie and l. IL
place in the hospital at roughkccpsie for winter
BufIum asked nso TO write the above ana sign t
with Grants name OF course refused To do tbis
and asked him why he did not go 10 West Pom, and
see the General who there at this time lie said
he had been down there on Friday and Iound oui
that the General would not arrive I'M the
next day. Then he told Inc that he had gone
down on Saturday ana had seen the General
He said tnat after stating his case to him General
Grant had promised bim aid, and was gong
send him fifty dollars. lie said that the President
had given to members Of this 'forlorn hopen com
missions III The regular army ana medals IN con
siderdton OF Their mer;toiious conduct. lie SAID