The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-19
BOYD AND DUFFUM.
Homicidal Equality in he RIVAL Rsces-The
Negro Who Shot an Irishman-The Released
Lunatic Who Pistolled Wealthy Manufac-
turer-Attempt to Lynch the Lunatic.
NEwBURG, N. Y. April IA, 1871.

NEWBURG N. T.. April IA, 1871.
During the session OF Special Term OF the court of
Oyer ana Terminer for Orange county, ordered by
the Governor to be held at Newburg on the second
Monday In May two murderers will be tried for
their lives. The first case TO be called Is that Of
Robert Boyd, q negro. VINO
SHOT AND KILLED AN FRESHMAN
named Thomas McGowan. Of Turner's station, on
the Erie Railway IN the month OF July, 1870. Boyd
young and of medium height and rather good look
ing for a colored lie was always regarded be-
fore the commission Of the crime as peaccable and
inotiensive, and since his arrest has conducted him.
self vel. Boyd was an empoye IN the restaurant
at the depot at Turner's station. The cause OF the
shooting was a quarrel between him and the de.
ceased on account OF an alleged insult to
ONE OF THE FEMALE EMPLOYEES
MCGOWAN attacked Boyd with bludgeon and the
latter drew a pistol and fired three shots at his
assaant from the eject or one OF which
MCGOWAN DIED INSTANTLY.
II Is thought by some that Boyd was under great
prov ocatiou and there exists among certain class
a strong desire for his acquittaI.
The second case Is that of Robert Burum, indicted
for tho
MURDER OF JOHN l.. sEAvERNs
on August 80, 1870. The community were horrined
at the time of the preparation OF this crime ana
great indignation excited against the murderer.
Mr.. Seaverns was the owner aud proprietor or the
LARGEST PAPER MAKING HOUSE IN THE WORLD.
He was man OF culture aud invention ana quite
wealthy He had very recently moved from Wor-
cester, Mass, to Newburg, where he had built
new mandatory. He was man about sixty-one
years OF age Ills son, man about thirty years DID,
had been at one time confined in the a.
WORCESTER INSANE ASYLUM.
Bufrum was also an inmate ut the same time.
Young Seaverns was released from the Asylum
about month before the murder. AS soon
Kin
wards ne received an invitation from MS friend
Seaverns' mother to visit them. He accepted 1t,
and young Seavern, under his influence Joined
hum in
GIDDY wuIRL OF DRINK
and dissipation. Mr.. Seayerns, the elder, had some
angry words with Buffum on the day OF the murder
aud, giving him five dollars, ordered him TO leave
account u his destitute circumstances. Burum
TOOK the money, got drunk and went to u gunsmtn's
BOUGHT A PISTOL.
On that evening, about seven O'Clock, while Mr..
Seayerns and his wife were seated at the table eat
ing their supper Bunum approached them stcalthiIy
and fired the pistol. Mr.. Seaverns fe his head fall.
Ing upon his breast, his body nclining forward
against the table, and, with but one conyulsive mo-
DIED ALMOST INSTANTLY.
The bail was found t. have entered behind the ear,
and passed through the prain lodging In the neck.
DO sudden had been the fatal act that alter the VIC
TINS death the table knife was stu III his hand and
morsel OF bread In his mouth. Mrs. Seaverns cried
out In terror and agony,
"goHN JOHN YOU ARE KILLED.,
The murderer ran up Stars and threatened the
sheriff and police with the loaded pistol. After some
little hesitation on the part OF the officers OF the
law he was finally secured. The news of the tragedy
created great excitement III the city. large crowd
surrounded the house and attempted to lynch the
prisoner. With great difficulty riot and
ATTACK on THE JAIL
were prevented by the police and sheri1s seconded
by Leading citizens. Desperate attempts at suicide
were made by the prisoner In his cell, and he con-
Quoted himself IKE man thoroughly insane. Buff
IuIn has q wife and children In Massachusetts, bus
they could not live with him
on ACCOUNT OF Ills INSANITY.
He Is, at times, perfectly sane to al appearances
and his story OF the causes which prompted hun 70
do the deed shows that he was animated by spirit
OF revenge. Mrs. Seayerns the widow or the muir.
dered man. was not examined at the Cor0ner's ln-
quest, winch IN view OF her being the only one
present at the time OF the murder, was moss STU
guar omission. Buiium during the war was
A LIEUTENANT IN THE ARMY, -
and conducted himself with great bravery. Ing
week before the he visited General Grant AZ
West Point and received nom him recommends,
ton Tor an admission into an Insane asylum anu
nifty dollars I'D money. He Is
SMALL. wIRY. sALLow AND WILD
in appearance, with the look OF man paruay ~.
sane His counsel Is j. II. Drake ~ promhgnms
criminal lawyer OF New burg. IL Is stated Inas sno
evidence will bring out many interesting incluen.s
in the domestic adairs OF both the Buuum anu sno
Seaverns families should the allegations Oh the muir
dprer he founded In TACT.