The New York herald., 1871-02-16
THE SIrC siaC MURDER.
Terxible Revenge Of a Jilte1s
Lover.
Fatal Results Of Sending valentine-How q
Young Girl Died for Her First Love-" Jealousy
tho Rage OF Man"-The Murderer
Cannot Recover-Coroner's Inquest
and Verdict Of the Jury.

and Verdict OF the Jury,
the horror and excitement occasloned among the
people OF Sing Sing by tho terrible tragedy which
occurred there on Tuesday afternoon as reported in
the HERALD OF yesterday st continue to be felt in
that ncichborhood, where the tragic circumstance
is being discussed and eagerly commented upon
wherever two or three residents are gathered
together, whether at the domestic freside, in the
liquor saloons or on the corners OF the snow
covered streets.
Jacob Leuenburger the murderer aud would.be
suicide, is 0 native OF the canton OF Berne
Switzerland, ana Is about forty-four years
old. He flrst came to Sing Sing, In search
OF employment, about fifteen years ago. when he be-
came acquainted with Jacob Diron, who was then
keeping lager beer saloon on Main street. and who
subsequently engaged the services Of Leuenburger,
whom he at once took into his house, where he was
TREATED Az ONE OF THE FAMILY.
Mr.. Drion soon discovered that his employs was
a shrewd, Industrious anu Intelligent man. and in
addition to his other attainments was master Of the
English, French and German languages. BY dint OF
economy Leuenburger husbanded his earnings, and
after few years engaged with Dirlon IN the manu-
factnre Of cider and the dlstillatlon OF various
kinds of liquors For this purpose commodious
brick building was secured covering nearly quar-
ter OF an acre Of ground which, together with the
family residence and number OF small tenements
occupied by employees, have been purchased and
paid for. In the family of MI. Dirion resided
THE VICTIM OF LEUENBuRGER's PASSION,
Miss Frederlca Meyer, neice OF Mrs. Dirion who
had been adopted by the latter when she was six
years old. She was born In the kingdom Of Wurtem.
berg, and had been brought to this country on tn g
death Of her parents. During the period which has
cir fhnf
Meyer had been daily thrown together at the table
and lresda until the latter had matuFed into full
wcmanhood, she being in ner twentieth year when
REMoRs ELEssLY HURLED INTO ETERNITY
by the man wh0 pretended to adore her, 1t stated
that the deceased young lady had been engaged TO q
young man named George Lange, whe left the
village for the far West q few years
ago. No tidings Of his whereabouts having
reached the young lady for several months
after hts departure rumor prevailed that he was
dead. Continued silence on the part Of Lange hcv-
Ing justified this conclusion Miss Meyer herself en-
tertaned little hope of seeing him again. About
this me 1t was noticed that Leuenburger evinced
warm regard for Miss Meyer, who 1t Is stated, not
withstanding tle disparity in their respective ages,
CONSENTED TO BECOME HIS WIFE,
provided the absent lover did not return within
specified tine TO claim her hand. The unexpected
return of young Lange to the village a short time
ago destroyed the hopes Of Leuenpurger, who has
since become detected and morose, having
WOUNDED TO THE QUICK
py the cruel and overwhelming revolution in his
visions OF future happiness. Matters thus pro-
gressed until Tuesday morning, when, as Is under
stood, Leuenblrgcr received q valentine from his
successful rival, in which was enclosed couple OF
large mails and piece OF rope, accompanied by the
haunting words, "YSu may hang yourself ii you
choose, for you can never have her.n This ind.g-
nifty capsei the cup OF bitterness to overflow on the
LeucNDpreer.
ARMED HIMSELF WITH REVOLVER
ana aaa proceeded 10 "a a liquor establishment where
Wreak vengeance on the destroyer of his peace. The
absence OF the latter, however, averted the tragedy
and more awful manner. Leuenburger at once pro.
ceeded TO Drlons house and SAT down to eat his DIM
ner, as usual Mrs Dirion and her sister, Caroline
smith, We're sitting at the table and the former
waited upon him, While Miss Meyer was en-
gagged IN sewing on machine, near window,
partaRing OF little food huenburger arose, and,
having approached Miss Meyer to within three or
four feet or where she sat- hurriedy drew from his
pocket revolver, and without being Observed
FIRED AT THE YOUNG LADY,
the ball entering her right temple. Her head fell
spoke nor moved after being shot, instant death
having been produced. Almost at the same, mo-
revolver al his own head, the bal entering near the
centre Of the forehead, when ...!tx
he FELL TO THE FLoos, ".">-.
was Immediately picked up by one % 81 Mr.. DlrIon's %
children ana carried out OF the room. During the
confusion which followed the murderer, by despe-
rate effort, seized carving knife, with which he
stabbed himself several times, without, however,
suggesting IN carrying out his purpose OF immediate
self destruction. While he was thus engaged in
with the carving tnas Saptain Mount chief Of
sne sns tsng sges o made his appear
Leuenburger into custody; but the latter,
although shot through the brain, offered
such stout resistance that the assistance OF several
citizens became m m
the police station. Up to this moment 1t appears
that none OF those who had the prisoner IN charge
what was shortly afterwards pronounced
MORTAL WOUND.
AS there was no fire IN the station house Leuen.
burger was conveyed to neighborng hotel where
two physicians subsequently probed the wound, but
failed to extract the ball, and pronounced the
remained UNCONSCIOUS but at eight O'Clock yesterday
morning stimulants were administered, which mad
the effect OF reyving the wretched man, as he rail-
lied shortly afterwards ana answered some qUes-
tions put to him In response to nielrogatones
regarding how he felt he replied that he only ere
gfetted that the ball did not hit the right place
where he intended II should.n Leuenburger has
always maintained an excellent reputation as a
OF society. -
D.. TaE INQUEST.
An inquest was held yesterday by Coroner Smith
on the body Of Miss Meyer when the following esti-
mony was elicited:-
Caroline Smith, aunt Of the deceased and sister OF
Mrs Dirlon, having been sworn, testided-I live in
the house Of Jacob Dlrion about one O'Clock on
Tuesday afternoon was sitting al the table eating
my dinner; Jacob Leuenburger was also sitting at
the table al the time; he got up from the table and
went towards Frederica Meyer, who was sitting in
one corner 81 the room; ! Immediately afterwards
heard the report of a pistol and then saw
burger then placed the pistol at his
own head and fred; neither he nor frederica spoke
after the shootng Mrs. DIrlon and her children
were IN the room at the time; Mr.. Leuenburger
wanted FYederica TO marry him, but she objected;
he acted very strangely Tor day or two previous to
tie shooting.
This being all the available evidence the Jury rem
dered verdict 'that the deceased came TO her
death by being shot with pistol in the hands Of
Jacob LeuenbuIser,n