The New York herald., 1871-01-14
A MURDERER ON TRIAL.
An Ulster County Desperate Ar
raigned for Murder.
Rc Stabs His Victim TO the Heart, Killing
Him Almost Instantly.
a Shocking and Cold Blooded
Crime.

sho Circuit OF the Supreme Court now being eld at
Kingston was called mp on Thursday, before Justice
Bordman, Lewis Countryman beng arraigped for
the murder OF Augustus Schoonmaker on the 4th
day OF July last. The courtroom at an early hour
was crowded to its utmost capacity by an eager
throng OF spectators. all waiting In anxious expect
ancy the appearance OF the murderer. At eleven
O'Clock
THE PRISONER
Lewis Countryman, alias Hendrickson, alias
Helm, was brought into court by Sheriff Kerr,
closely followed by aged aunt of the prisoner and
Countryman's mistress. Both took seats by the side
Of the prisoner and manifested a deep interest
during the progress Of the trial. Country
man wore DARK blue coat and brown
pants He is thirty-ve years OF age, about Eve feet
seven inches In height, light complexion blue
sunken eyes. sandy hair and whskers, and looks
IKE one ready for doing the most desperate ana
nendish OF deeds lie has long borne the reputa.
ton OF
A CUT THROAT AND VILLAIN
or the deepest dye At an early age he went TO live
with his grandfather. a Mr.. Hendrickson and since
then has been known by the name OF Hendrfckson.
He has been
THE TERROR oP THE NEIGHBoRHoop
for many years. Was there crime committed,
deed OF vllany DONE it was traced to his
door. He has been connected with many
robberIes and has always up this time succeeded
IN eluding Justice. Now at last he stands charged
with the awful crime OF murder. For many years
nc has ngured as bully in barroom fights and
street broils He was at one time arrested for rob-
berry ana succeeded In
BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE OFFICER,
who al once cried out for him stop; but, needing
not the warning, the officer fred three shots from
his revolver, the last bringing him TO bay. lie
followed the profession OF a hoatman on the Della
ware and Hudson Canal. Kerhonkson, the scene of
the murder is situated twenty miles from Kingston
on the banks ofthe Delaware and Hudson Canal and
about three miles from the spot OF the late
wAysrDE MURDER
which so thrilled and startled the whole county
about year ago. II being In such close proximity
TO the canal a large number of boatmen are con-
stanty within Its limits. These boatmen, generally
speaking, are Of the lowest class, valueng human
life as nothingi they carry on their crimes with
high-handed recklessness.
THE MURDER,
savage and cruel In its conception, was committed
about seven O'Clock on the evening OF the 4th Of
July last. The victim, Augustus Schoonmaker OF
Stoney Kill, and Lewis Countryman met in the
barroom OF Aaron Scnoonmaker. at Ken
honkson. Both had been drinking freely
during the day and were much intoxi.
Gated quarrel arose between them, Schoon-
III.
harsh words followed. Schoonmaker then struck
Countryman IN the face. Friends now interfered
maker on towards the lock brldge over the canal.
CountryInan then pulled on MS coat and vest and,
IN A FIENDIsH RAGE
after them with knife in hand, sabbing Schoon-
maker from behind. in the hip, and then ran around
in front OF him and stabbed HIM IN the breast
'oH, MY aoDi ! AM sTABBEpp,
sank into the arms OF his friends and died in less
than seven minutes. Countryman then ran towards
the house Of Mrs. Whitaker, where he was soon
after arrested by officer Strickland, who demanded
of the prisoner the knife. Countryman refused 10
give 1t up, saying he would die first. Help was
called and
THE REEKING KNIFE
was wrenched from him by force. The prisoner
was then taken TO the hotel or Aaron Schoonmak err
where he was securely bound, the crowd CRYING
out,
"HASG HIM HANG HIM.,
The prisoner was safely guarded during the night
his bloou. The following day he was taken to the
Kingston jail, arriving there IN beastly state OF
iDtoxication.
District Attorney Nestbr0ok appeared on behalf OF
the people, Surrogate Fowler assisted by MIR. Law
ton OF Rondout appearing for the prisoner A little
over TWO hours was expended In the ernpanuelng Of
the jury.
After the opening address TO the jury by the Dis
trct Attorney the following crushing evidence as TO
the prisoners quit was introduced. The first called
fed as folows:--
reside In the town OF Rochester: know the pris.
L i
was at the hotel OF Aaron Scnoonmaker on the ith
OF July last saw the prisoner and deceased there
came first: / was upon the locX bridge. about
eigHty yards from the hotel; heard quarrel
iing going on at the hotel: though my sons were
quarfelIlng, so went down TO see IL 1t were
them; saw my son Jacob and John Lawerance
leading the deceased away; then thought the
fighting was all over; then CouutryInan take
OF his coat and vest; he had a knife mia in his
hand; he went mp to wnere Sehoonmaser was and
III lew minutes.
Gross. examinatiol-I first saw deceased 10 front
OF Aaron Schoonmaser's door: my son ana John
LaweTance nad hold oil him; the prisoner was then
eight or ten feet away nom them; saw prisoner
take his knife out OF his pocket; saw him strike
deceased III the breast with his hand: / do not
know II he stabbed him or not; The deceased is
relation OF mine or my wifes; have never said Gus
ScAoonnaher was cousin ~ my Wue and mat !
would get revenge out OF prisoner.
Josiah Quick was next called, who testified as fol-
lows:-I was at the mousse OF Aaron Schoonmaker
on the afternoon OF the Inurier saw the deceased
and Lewis Countryrnan there; first saw them
together on the stoop Of the motel; The deceased
was in the doorway, the prisoner was on the LETT
hand side OF the door; there were few words
passed between them; what deceased said
10 prisoner l do not remember. i heard
prisoner tell deceased, II am not man enough
for you, have been SICK three or four months:f'
then saw Sch0onmaker strike Countryman IN tie
face, then again Oh The neck: prisoner stumbled
against chair: then John Lawerance Jacob Lander
and myself pushed Schoonmaker ron the stoop:
Lawerance and Lander then took him OH towards
the canal; some one asked Couniryman If he was
not man enough 10 take his own part; ne sad,
eyes," then SAID, ''Why don't you do II then f''
Countryman then took OF his and vest and said
.'Let him come on;i SchoonLnaker was then about
twenty-five feet from HIM; prisoner holding
his hand down by ms side as n he had something IN
IL; then saw prisoner 60 up TO the deceased and
strike HIM IN the hip; then went up TO them aud
told Lawerance TO let go Schoonmaker; Counrrytsnn
then struck through under Lawerance's arm ana ait
Sch0onmaker In The breast: Scboonmaker al once
cred out, 81 am stabbed" and sank 10 the ground:
the prisoner then went over the lock bridge; saw
prisoner when ne was arrested; saw his knife taken
away from him tknife SHOWN wltnessl; that Is the
same knife; Schoonmaker intoxicated
mCross-e examinatlon--I was standing on the stoop
when Couniryman started for cchoonmaker; fol-
lowed him up just behind; ll was about TWO minutes
between the nrsG and second stabs one had hold
OF CoUntryman when he stabbed Schoonmaker:
6choonnlaker said. My God | am siabbed;,'
still minule or two. and then
walked away without his coat or
vest: did not hear of any one else being charged
with the sfabbing; SchooDinaker STRUCK Coantryman
i az ~ hal