The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-08
MURDER IN JERSEY.
"A COachman Killed in a
Stable.
ARREST OF THE MURDERER
The Property Of the Dead Man Found in His
Poss sssion-The Probable Cause-A Ter
rible Chain Of Evidence Of Guilt
: Discovery Of the Deed


Discovery Of the Deed.
At eight O'Clock Yesterday morning young man,
about twenty-five years of age, named John Avery,
was arrested at hts home, l43 Thompson street, by
Marshall W. N. Hills. OF the Englewood IN. d. Pro.
lection Society, for the alleged murder OF Jacob Erb,
coachman, IN the employ OF Mr.. Elijah f. Clark
OF 800 broadway. Avery had been in the service OF
MI. Clark NJ to the lst OF tnis month, when he
was discharged by that gentleman for not properly
performing his duty. 1t appears from the state.
ment mace by Mr. Clark yesterday morning TO
superintendent Relso rnat both the men-the one
murdered and the one now under arrest for the
commission ofthe deed-were employed upon his
farm ut oresssi, n. J. Ern was the coachnan and
Avery was KIND OF general hand about the place
One OF his duties was to
MILK THE cows
and attend 20 outside work about the farm. During
the time that he was engaged at Cresskl some MIS-
understanding arose between Avery and the coach
man, and 1t was noticed by the family that the Two
men did not get along comfortably afterwards. A
short time before Averv left this bad feeling which
had existed burst out into an open rupture and
quarrel ensued When avery was discharged by
Nj. Clarke ne went back to his home az LAB Thomp.
son street. where he lived with his mother and STEP
father, John Livingstone, porter IN the employ OF
Mr.. Clark, at $50 Broadway. He remained there
MP to Monday morning last without any unusual oc-
currence taxing place. On that morning ne went
cut usual. and did not return until Tuesday at
ABOUT the same hour that he had gone away on
Monday. AS soon as he got home Mrs. Livingstone
questioned him about his Absence but he could not
give anv satisfactory reason for his absence. AT
snrst he told her that
He HAD BEEN MARRIED,
and afterwards he said he had slept that night with
friend at Twelfth street. The Llvin gstone family,
though not satisfied with the account he gave OF
himself, were, however. Obliged TO be content as
Avery offered no further explanation OF the mys-
terry. 1t now turns out that leaving his nome as
usual on Monday morning, with the pretence OF
going to look for employment he turned mis- steps
towards New Jersey, intent upon work OF another
KIND. Al what time he left New York has not been
exactly ascertained but 1t Ia surmised That
he Ounged about the city all day. and started for
Cresskln after dark that he then hil himself IN
some stable or clubhouse during the night awaiting
the appearance OF his victim at daybreak That this
suppositlon Is very nearly correct may seen by
the facts ALREADY brought to light IN the affair.
MURDERED THE STABLE,
about six or half-past six O'CLOCK IN the morning,
and al that hour he had already performed good
portion OF MS daily work. That the murderer knew
the ways OF the place and the habits OF the people
engaged there Is also evident from the time and
place Oh the killing. And not only that he knew all
about the routine labor Of the farm, but that
he was intimately acquainted witn the changes
That haa been made since his discharge, ana
had taken considerable pains 10 be exact about
the hour at winch the murdered man could be most
charged on the lst OF the month the coachman,
Erb, has been III the hanit Of milking the cows the
n usuai 10 the held wnere the were kept for
This purpose, ana being absent much longer time
him. she sent out OF her waiting
women to see what was the matter
rushing back into the house q terrible state
Of excitement and shouting "Murder ~ at the TOD
Of her voice. TINS 30 alarmed MIR. Clarke, who was
IN the OF dressing at the time, that ne ran out
INTO the stable, where the girl said she saw Erb
6oor with his head resting upoa the window sll
and MS clothing saturated with blood that as std
was not dead at the lmc, but he was so weak from
me loss Of olooa mat Mr. Slark could get
wnicn he nSa been attacked He manner c1ntuuea ID
10 moan and CRY out at intervals while Mr. CLARK
posltion; but from the time was first discovered
by the girl until the medical men summoned by Mr.
Clark arrived al the pace nothing disting uishabe
was said
BY THE DYING MAN.
Mr. Clark, thinking the man's lie might be saved
II proper attention could be procured IN time,
jumped INTO wagon and drove with all speed TO
EnglewoOd. There he engaged the services of two
prominent surgeons and after making report of
the affair 10 the local police drove back again to
Cressklll only TO find Erb dead. Upon examining
struck on the left temple with SOME
sharp Instrument aud on searching tho
stable they found what IS known as picket iron
lying close TO where Erb first discovered
This weapon, win which the murder undOubt-
eddy committed, Is about thirty inches long AMI
three quarters VI an inch thick. pointed at one end
and thick at the otner with hole at the Jnickest
part. AS a further evidence that the murderer was
lurking about the vicinity during the ngnl the TACT
Of nis using
THIS INSTRUMENT LOOMS UP
forciDy, Tor IL was undoubtedly plcked up In one
Of the helds adjoining the house and carried
in'o the stable Tor purpose by the man VINO
United Inc deco. lie dislay OF the household was
Ley ono description when IL was ascertaInec that
the coachman was murdered, and tile greatest care
had 70 be taken in conveying the news ~ the wie
OIL the poor murdered Erp Shortly after the arrival
OF the medica, men Marsna Hills made his appear.
ance, and began an investigation OF The arfar. Upon
consultation with Mr. CLARK, he learned from that
gentleman the history oil The connection OF Avery
with the househoid ana more particularly with the
dead coacnman. Mr. CLARK was strongly under the |
impression that Avery the guilty man and ne |
conveyed his opinions " the oicer. The stable was
then closed up 10 await the arrival OF the coroner
and the
SEARCH FOR THE MURDERER
began. Mr. hills spent the greater part OF the after
noon OF that day endeavorIng ~ fnd out the con-
aacsor VINO naa brought on the train 10 New YORK
city The conductor was at length found, ami upon
getting description OF the suppo ,eu murderer ne
remembered distinct. having brought on such a
person on his train. tbs was
AN IMPORTANT CLUE,
and the ofilcers went work earnestly upon II,
Wnen The coachman had been struck down the
murderer stole his watch, and eager was
Of the dying mans lie blood rushing
awav that he had not sufficient patience
10 hit quietly out oi his pocket, but tore IL from
him SO violently that he broke the chain at the
swivel, leaving the chain behLd and carrying away
the swivel attached TO the watch. The next thing
20 nnd ont was wnere the watch was disposed of
or pawned and alter visiting almost ali tine shops
Of that description la Tie city Mr. Hills found the
timepiece ~ Mr.. Levy's, IN Graud street. The
young man In charge oil the SHOP remembered DIS
slnctly the party VINO had pledged II, ana his de-
scriptlon coinclded precisely with the appearance
Of Avery The detective then took ms post IN 'front.'
of the dwelling OF Avery and remained there during
the night Yesterday morning he went TO Mr..
.Clark's store. at $3.50 Br0adway and they held
A SECOND CONSULTATION.
Mr.. Clerk then sent q messenger to the house Of
LIVINGSTONE TO nnd out how he was AZ no had been
assent Tor some days IN consequence OF Illness The
messenger saw Mr.. Livinetone and asccrtained
from MN that Avery was in inc house This news