The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-03
TEE NEWBURG ASSASSIN.
Robert Ruffum Attempts Suicide
in Horrible Form.
He Dashes His Head Upon tho Store Floor Of
His Cell, Using Chair to ''Divs" From
His Purpose Frustrated-Th, Muir
derer Undoubtedly Insane
History Of His Case.

NEW BURG, N. Y, Sept. @ 1870.
At noon to-day the citizens of Newbarg were
startled by the rumor that Robert BufIum, the muir
derer Of John l.. Seaverns had attempted to commit
suicide in his cell. The following are the
FACTS IN THE CASE
Shortly before noon some OF the prisoners in the
Newburg jail looking through the grated door or
Burum's cell, saw the murderer in the very act
OF a most extraordinary attempt to commit
suicide. His m0dus 0pevands was as follows
Standing on a char he dived down on the stone
floor OF his CELL striking on the top OF his head
This act was performed eight or ten times before
the jailer could open the cell door and stop
the performance. After each plunge Bufum
remained for a few moments as II stunned,
and then revlvpg he would get on the
chair again ana dash himself to the door,
When the door was opened several OF the prisoners
rushed in uhcy enjoying the freedom of corridor
into which Bu1um's cell opens) and seized the MUIR
derer. He struggled with all his remaining strength
but was at length overpowered and held down on
his bed by three OF the strongest Of the prisoners
| The cell presented
HORRIBLE SPECTACLE
The moor was covered with blood from the terrible
| wounds on the prisoners head. Blood was spat-
tered about on the walls OF the cell and the prison
| er's clothes were saturated with the crimson nuid
The cell looked more like slaughter pen than one
Of the choice apartments In the Newbnrg jail While
dashng his head against the floor the murderer
yelled
"The Masons are coming after me; they going
to cut me up alive; must get away from them;
they viii cut me up into inch pieces" &C.
Dr. Edward E. Lee was called, and on
making an examination found several deep
cuts In the scalp, but not necessarily dan
gerous wounds unless erysipelas should super
vene. Tire reason the skull was not fractured
by these repeated dlvings was that the scalp was
unusually thck-nearly an inch in thickness.
THE sCALF DID GOOD SERVICE 4
as a cushion for the skull. The marvel was that the
wretch's neck was not broken in his suicidal
gymnastics. The attempt was made in one
OF his insane paroxysms, OF which he
himself has sp oxen, and In which he says he has an
uncomfortable dc sire to kill somebody. On this
casion there was nobody else within reach, so he
undertook to XIII himself During his struggles
with the prisoners ne spOk OF seeing
CATS IN THE CELL
and wanted to make his escape from these
creatures Of his imagination. lie also said
that Mr., Svearns had been a Mason. and that
was one %s ne the n oas %
him he groaned out "Oh. my children" This Is the
only indication he has given OF late that he bestows
any thought upon his family. When Inc insane
paroXysm passed or Bufum was found to be greatly
weakened through loss OF blood. Under DR.. Lees
directions he was removed from his cell to a large
room ON the second floor OF the Court House 1.-THE
jail being situated IN the basement OF the bulding),
where he could get plenty OF fresh ar; he was laid
QUITE EXHAUSTED, ON A COT
in this ROOM and wAen saw HIM, about one O'Clock
to-day, he cOnversed quite nationally agaln he COM
thirds these stories false, ana that is one real
son why tired TO stave my brains OUT. never did
against anybody
10 remark made by his counsel J. Hallock Drake,
that ne would be well taken care Of he said, looking
up significantly eyes. If liye.n In reply to qnes,
ton by Dr. Lee to how he felt, he said Oh feel
| right now, except this cut on my mead" WDen
| asked by a Baptist minister, Rev. f. w. Bliss, In
whose visits the prisoner seems to take great COM
fort, how he came to make
THIS ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFR
he said. ooh Know they are gong to Kill me, and
thought would get ahead OF them"
Tue reverend gentleman expostulated with him,
telling him OF the enormity OF thus adding crime to
crime The criminal seemed to ieel The full force OF
what tue dominic had SAID, and expressed
gentleman the admitted that he remembered the
circumstances preceding and attending The murder;
buying the pistol entering the Kitchen behind Mr.
Seaverns, firing the fatal shot, DC
"But," said ne. 81 was mad with rum. saw Mr..
Seayerns abuse his son Joe, who was my friend, and
i could not stand 1t. l had the feeling that
must kill him. Half an hour after l killed
him would have given the world II had not done
| did it,"
| On Thursday morning. when Rev. Mr. Bliss visited
the al the murderer was found in great concern or
| mind on account Of his crime. He was
WEEPING AND sOBBlNG
as II his heart would break. He said he had prayed
to- to God for MANY hours that He would forgive him
| his wickedness On Friday afternoon, after his
| attempt to commit suicide, he promised Mr.. Bliss
to have Bible and some religious papers sent
to him, and Mir. Bliss promised to get them
for him. But no one puts confidence in Bufrum's
promise that he will not again try to destroy HIM
SELF He Will hereafter be
WATCHED NIGHT AND DAY
and taken care OF by two men. II left alone he
would undoubtedly attempt to destroy himself the
moment the next parOxysm seiZes him.
To-day Bufum said to Sheriff Tuthill, "When this
killing feeling comes over me am liable to kill the
nearest one can get at. ] would be as likely 10
XIII You as anybody else fyou happened to get in
The Sheriff told him. very decidedly, that if he
showed any symptoms Of that KIND to.
very rough handling. The examination OF the
| murderer, previous to his committal TO await the
ten O'Clock on saturday morning, Will probably DC
postponed as the prisoner will not be able to leave
| his bed to put IN an appearance. The impression
| gaining ground In Newburg that
| BUFFUM is INSANE
and would be a filter inmate OF the asylum than o.
| The jail.
! The following letter from DR.. Bemis, received il
Newbulg yesterday, Will tend to strengthen that im
PRESTON while IL throws considerable light on TIL:
! painful case:-
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, !
| WORCESTER LUNATIC HOSPITAL,
| WORCESTER, Mass, sept. l, 1870. }
| DR.. EDWARD f. LEE, NJ. D., Newbuig, N. ~
| MY DEAR SIR-On The 18th or March, 1858, K0ber'
Buntm, OF Saem, MISS, was committed 10 tills nos
pitai. The following Is the record made at Inc tln
| of mis- commitment.
Robert Bufum, OF Salem married; aged forty soldier
three years United States Army aud promotes
the OF ieutenant served OF the time spy
broken down, both IN health and mind not violent
| but wandering.
When this man was brought to us lie was yer,
| much emaclated and exceedingly feeble. 1t wa
| not thought he would live long. He soon improved
however, and In september following he was 81
much better that he was permitted to walk on
| on the GROUNDS and about town by himself; and hi
! condition was reported as Favorable rather than
| otherwise" After being upon parole about
month he escaped and on being returned to the hos
| pta was restrained from going Out altogether. Ii,
i went on improving slowly; and gradually through
| the autumn and winter, going out occasionally Will
| an attendant During all this time feeble as b,
| was, he seemed TO be somewhat excited upon mat
tiers pertaining to the war; ana was fond oil relating
| his suferings his trials and his escapes II,
also manifested strong disposition fol
| intrigue among the patients. and delighted
| in getting up any little trouble III the
ward and often, In q spirit OF brayado, declaring