The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-09
AWFUL TRAGEDY IN ALBANY.
A Wel-known Physician Beats Out His wifo's
Brains In n Fit of Deitrlum Tremens

Wsli.known Physician Bents'Ont His wifo's
ALBANY, March S.-A horrible tragedy oc-
Cured here this morning at residence in Madi-
son avenue. DR.. Lemuel p. Van Hoesen, q we'll
known physician, murdered his wife during a
fit Of detiriuTl nefnenS, beating in her skull and
scattering her brains upon the walls and floor of
the room in which the deed was committed
The weapon used was a common iron stew pan.
with long handle, weighing about three or
four pounds. The Eoening Journal gives the
details of the affair as follows
Yesterday, DIR. Van Hoesen, having been in
dulging excessively in liquor for the past few
days, was attacked with a fit of delirium tre-
mems. His wife would not allow him to leave
the house while the paroxysm lasted, although
he endeavored several times to make his Way
out. In the evening the wife of Julius
Auzeline remained watching with Mrs. Van
Hoesen, relieving her in giving medicine at
stated times, remaining until about 1 o'clock
this morning, during which time the doctor ex-
hibited 10 signs of intended violence or frenzy.
At o'clock, or a few minutes thereafter, Mrs.
Auzeline retired to bed and slept. About a
quarter to o'clock she was awakened by
sound of shuffiing of feet on the floor above and
suppressed screams for help, followed by q
low m gaming, as though some person was in
the utmost agony She awoke her husband and
children, and then ran up stairs to the Doctors
door, which she endeavored to open, but could
not, as it was locked on the inside, and the key
had been taken out. Returning down stairs, she
procured the key from her own door, when she
and her husband entered. The sight that met
their eyes was enough to freeze and curdle the
blood with horror, for prone on the floor lay the
woman, her head battered and bruised in the
most heart-sckening manner, the long hair wet
and Shiny with brains and blood, the face
gashed and cut most horribly, while the furni-
tnre floor, and walls were literally plastered
with the blood and brains of the unfortunate
creature. At the sink, in one corner of the
room, stood the husband, coolly washing from
his hands and arms all traces of the terrible
deed he had but just concluded. Mrs. Auzelne
n 10 n tai xUh ifo yatr
mained, and raising 1t up could just notice one
or two gasps, and all was over. Mrs. Auzeline
then despatched her son for DIR. Smith, while
she aud her husband watched the room that the
murderer might not escape. This he made no
effort to do, however, remaining as If oblivious
to the presence of the body and unconscious of
what he had done, muttering and conVersing
Coroner Mullgan soon after arrived and took
charge of the remains of the unfortunate
woman. In response to an inquiry of the
Coroner as to why he had committed the crime
Van Hoesen replied, II couldn't help it; had
to do it to save my own life; they were after
mel" The murderer was taken in charge.
After preliminary examination before Justice
Clute he was committed to jail on charge of
murder.
The wounds inflicted on the unfortunate
women were of the most fearful nature, there
being no less than elk frightful gashes in the
face, one jaw was broken, and the whole back
of the head, from ear to ear was completely
smashed in. The murderer formerly enjoyed a
large practice in this city, but becoming mixed
up in politics, and being defeated in running as
candidate for member of the Assembly from
the city a few years ago, he neglected his prac-
tlce. He is probably about fifty years of age is
large, well-formed man, and in better
moments was highly respected by those of his
acquaintance.
When our reporter visited the house the traces
of the murder had been almost entirely oblite-
rated from the floor and walls, but the shock
ingly mangled and inanimate form of the poor
creature as she lay in the bed was enough to
convey an idea of the fendish brutality with
which the blows were dealt. Her blood had
soaked through the floor where she first lay
completely discoloring the ceiling, and dripping
j. down on the floor below.