The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-27
THE DEMON OF AOHAWA VALLEY.
Execution Of Charles Eackcr for the
Murder Of Thomas Burdick.
Curious Story Of Hate and
Revenge.
Killing a Echoolmaster for q
Trifie. no4e

Trifle. f 81 no4o"
FONDA Montgomery Co., N. y, May 90 1871.
How strangely does the beauty OF the Mohawk
Valley contrast with the depravity Of that wretch
who to-day expiated his crime ON the scafrold and
PAID his life for the qualification OF hts ruling pas
sion-revengel The family has lived IN these parts
for two generations. Charles EacHer one OF six
sons, almost all OF whom are alive. George Eacker,
the father OF the family, was a rough and lawless
character ana served Q term In State Prison for
grand larceny. Charles Eacker was born In this
county forty-nine years ago and was well known
among farmers as violent and abusive man. This
character chung TO him from boyhood. He always
cherished grIdgo IN was bound to have revenge
for all injuries, whether fancied or real. He was
bred TO farming, and though OF o low order OF mind,
was an atlroit AMI successful dairyman. He began
poor ana hired farms IN different parts Of the county
and did SO wei that at one time ne might have
become the owner OF one, out
LOVE or REVENGE
prevented He became an invetera,e lltigant. His
Crudges led him to l@w because most people AFRO
afraid Of lawsuits and It was, therefore, an eective
way OF venting his wrath. No MN IN tins county
has been often before our courts and he mas paid
enough costs to buy farm. He was . close OBJ
Of legal forms and knew 30 well how to pre-
pare case for trial that he was generally success
fu bit every verdict cost him four times Its value
Still 1t brought qualification OF revenge and hence
ne was wiling to pay the expense. He married
twice and was an abusive ami drunken husband.
His first wife escaped by her death ana his second
has escaped by his death.
THE FATAL GRUDGE
was against Q popular schoomaster. named
Thomas Burdick, who had been q justice OF the
peace and mad, In his Official capacity, crossed
Hackers path. This grudge existed i've years,
but, at times slumbered or was Kept down by other
grudges OF y more violent character. He hated
Buy'dlck intensely, and yet would speak with him
and even hold occasional transactions. Burdick, no
aouDt supposed the trouble Of triflng character.
IN March, q year ago. Burdick had charge OF tie
IT. townsville public school, and Eacker, who lived
few miles distant came to the village one day and
made bet with one John Fry concerning petty
lawsuit. The stakes were i've dollars q side. and
Bardck was asked 10 hold them, TO which he con-
scented. In few days Eacker came to him and de-
msnded his five dollars. Burdlck replied that he
wou d not return the money without the consent OF
the other party. This refusal excited Eacker's
wrath, and, as usual lie rushed to inc law as his ill.,
stTument OF revenge. lie sued Rnrdlck ut once,
case. When tn: trial came or he got angry al the
latter ana discharged him; aud then, 1nding him.
tie costs and determined to increase Bni r
punishment by sucIpg hum again In remote
ol the county. improved MS cnouce TO
escape suit 10y rendering Eacker his live dollars as
soon as he could get legal tender note Eacker TO
AVOID tins, concealed himself but Burdick hunted
till he found him IN t5e tank house OF the Central
Railroad, and the tender was successful. Eacker
now found himself cneokma ed, anu TINS awoke the
old grudge into fresh and unoounded mallgpity.
Revenge, stimulated by ncessant int0x,cafon, would
be satisfied with nosa,ny less than Burdicx's
lie. Eacker went on with spr.ng WORK on his farm,
but his chief thought instead OF being about his
crops, was revenge on The unfortunate schoolr as
ter he drank, bca, his wife and children as usual,
n
beneath all this was The cherished purpose OF muir
Der. lie was SO
That oil fear o. the terrible penalty OF the law was
lost II lie ever weighed tue consequences, few
years IN state Iris0n might have been expected,
and this ne was no doubt willing 20 risk. II he
looked any further taen he mus have concluded 70
RISK the gallows Perhaps he did 30, for revenge is
sometimes deaier than even inc. The next step was
taken in a few weeks, Re went TO Q neighboring
village, bought revolver and loaded II. SUon came
had determined on celebration, and Bur,ick was
nonorcd added fresh NE 10 Eacxers wrath. Ho
was determined that this eXaltation should he his
last --.. .en8.
The Fourih OF July, ls,o opened In oil OF natures
loyeness. The school OK -. aohnsyille WAS closed
ersi holiday The programme was successfully car.
fled out the attendance wGs large and after the
homes or prepared for The festivities OF the evening.
That morning. Eacser awoke with ripened purpose
OF murder. lie did the chores and after dinner
Litcned M a oae-horse wagon FOR st. townsville,
which was i've niles distant he went into the
house ard got the pistol. lis wife, VITO knew his
passions by fearful experiences, besoughi him not TO
take 1t; but her entreNy was IN vain. tie bade MS
sSa Audrey 20 s no ns wag e shu ne .sy
J.; lila laged hr.eenl TO Imagine the result On the
way 10 ST. townsville team was passed. aud
s"s seen np saracS adding hat til the latter aid
not mako satisfaction he tEacaer) would have re.
horse. and then incurred OF one OF the
citizens III he had seen mat damned pinp.
asg IN ur yIsns the direren saloons, wnese
he drank freely ionerse 'nnselI Tot ms purpose IN
Tho evening val was held ~ srlIgs' iac'e vines
Hclenty madencd by strong drink 10 XIII. he en-
Tered the thiongcS narroom ldst as BurdlcA came
not lose lis ofp5rtuslry. Eackcr drew the pistol
+ ON his socScs and fired. bnrdick fell In agony
which death terminated the next morning. rhc
murderer was .ezed and before the following noon
lodged IN Fonda Ja, teie 10 ENJOY the satts,ac.
non OF mis- lining passion.
This came or April 2. aud vast multitude was in
attendance. iha defence was insanity and wa,
managed 6y wv a,le attorneys, IL. L. q shney and
Waiter Van DenDurg. Asa matter OF course ~ was
afternoon, TIC Jury retired abd The prisoner knew
what would be their verdict. When brought to the
jail 70 await tine attempted suffice os Inslins up
head8ug 0 tie door, The plan was fng enious, bat
he foot caught, ana instead OF q neadlonS AL he
Fresh rom this acf ana with his mead bandagcd he
was 0rough INTO court 10 rece ve~cntencc OF death.
Never has more exciting &C. ne been wiilessed III
talS court house.
Psis0N LIEF.
For nine mon, rs man in shape hut hardly bu-
man In sersibiltles. has attract the public curl.
os;iy. Thrown IN laii, stained w,lo human Blood
ana with ample opportunity for iefection, why does
n not express single utterance OF contrltion
He conveIses at times with his watchnon and
oilers In nis thick. half mamJling way OF speaking,
hut never says aUght OF regret He has been visited
by u Clergyman every week, and services have been
held IA his room which moved others 10 tears, hut
~ has remained sLolld and indifferent. once or
nv Ice illusions TO his children nave brought tears,
bit this is ALL Tue plea of Insanity having faeihe
has since tnen deniel the crime After ne has been
It'd mat wtAout confession OF his sin he could have
no hope OF Divine mercy. Often tho clergyman mas
eald '.charies, do you repent OF our great sin m
killing Thomas Buidickr' The reply mas invariably
leen, ~ did tnut ac' Jo.o
"But 10 ~ proved by eight Witnesses why do you
S,Wi,nesscs tod false 10 the Bible. why not now9n
..lk then, YOU did not dot, VINO 1Id.n