The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-16
Edward RuloT, PhiIoIogist ana MUIR
derer.
SINGULAR SERIES OF EVENTS.

SINGULAR SERIES OF EVENTS,
The Utica IN. " Herald gives the fol
lowing interesting account of the life anc
crimes of Edward II. Ruloff, whose tria
was concluded at Binghampton, on Wed
nesday, by verdict of murder in the frs
degree. 1t says:
Edward H. Ruloff, now on trial for hi.
life at Binghampton, is more than an ordi
nary criminal Tie crime for which he. /,
no 'aicned ca OF have passed from The
me ] the reader. It was only in
August last that the store of Halbert
Brothers, Binghampton, was burgarized
and clerk--Fredefiek A. Merrick-kill.
ed, while resisting the burglars. The latter
escaped. Two of them, named Jarvis and
Dexter, were drowned the same night
while attempting to cross the Cheuango
river. The other-Rulof-w arrested
soon after. He gave his name as E. Dali
ton, but was soon recognized, among othere,
by Judge Balloon and Mrs. Shuts. Ruloffss
mother-in-law. Should the trial which he
is now undergoing, result in his dying
upon the scaffiod, his death will be the
seventh known to us to be traceable to his
own agency.
Upwards of twenty-six years ago Ed
ward FL. Rulof married an estimable lady
in Ithaca, in this State. He was of liberal
education, learned in the law, especially the
criminal code, an accomplished draught-
man, shorthand writer, and master of
several languages. He had then, what he
still retains, a pleasing exterior, perfect
knowledge of the arts of pleasing, some
thing which commanded respect, and at
the same time attracted and engaged SYM
pathy and confidence. He was doctor. a
lawyer, teacher, mechanic, as he saw
fit, and what was more remarkable, APP
peared master of each profession. Sud-
denly, in the year 1916, bis wife and child
disappeared.
Ruloff was arrested on charge of alb
duction, and was confined in Jail at Ithaca.
He so won the confidence of the tailor.
Jarvis, and his wife, that they committed
their yang son, Albert M. Jarvis, to his
tutelage. The result of his instructions
was a life of crime, which terminated with
the Binghampton burglary, and quick
following death in Chenango river. The
trial of Ruloff for abduction took place at
Ithaca. He was convicted and sentenced
to Auburn State prison for the term of ten
years. During his trial, we are credibly
informed, Ruloff made clean confession
to his counsel The gentleman receiving
it has since died, bat just previous to his
death he confided it to professional
brother, who is still living at Ithaca.
In prison Ruloff was model man. He
quickly won the confidence of the author
tiles, and, by his talents, took the front
rank among the prisoners. From the de-
signs made by him, most of the carpets
manufactured in prison during his term
were woven. Immediately on his dis
charge from prison, Ruloff was arrested on
a charge of numbering his child. At bis
trial he did, as he is now doing at Bing-
pleaded his own case. He was
found guilty and sentenced to death. But
the verdict was set aside by the court of
appeals on the ground that no murder had
been proved, as there had been no body
procured. He was discharged, but was
Immediately taken back to Jail. Wheth-
or this was by his own request, fearing the
fury of the people, or on the affidavit of
bis wife's people, that they considered
their lives in danger with him at liberty,
we have forgotten.
Certain it is lynching was resolved upon
and the time for it fixed. The sheriff,
learning of the meditated violence, hurried
Ruloff in close carriage to the steamboat
landing, whence be was conveyed to the
Jail in Cayuga county. When the lynch
ers assembled the bird had flown. Proba-
bly, through connivance, Ruloff soon
escaped from Jail. In his wacderings,
hiding from men, he was badly frozen.-
The toes of one foot had to be amputated
Thus, while fleeing from justice, be received |
A mark which may result In giving Justice
It's due. A shoe, exactly fitting his de-
formed foot, was left behind in the burg
ars' flight from the store in which Merrick |
met death.
Until his apprehension in Binghampton
N August last Rulof had not been heard |
from for number of years. 1t has since
that once in the interim he had |
defended comrogue in Delaware county |
court under an assumed name, and once in |
Cortland county. He has also been en-
gagged in writing treatise on the gram |
mars of nations. The manuscript of this
work has been found ia his room in New
York. In his room were found burglars
'ools, DISCUSSES, and various other appli-
snces of rascals. He had recorded an as
'umed NAME" Lenrio," as the author of the
treatise. 1t is probable he will never fin,
shit. A gentleman lately from Binghamp-
son, told us the other day that firm pur,
pose exists in that city to lynch Ruloff, if |
he jury do not convict him in this case.
This wretch has since had his trial for
he murder of Merrick, and sentenced to |
90 hung.