The New York herald., 1873-11-21
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
A Lady Hacked to Death and Burned TO u
Crtsp-No Clew to the Murderer.


NEW CANAAN, Conn.,, Nov. 20, 1873
The evidence before a jury OF inquest here to-day
has developed one OF the most atrocious and brutal
murders ever recorded, and, like the Nathan mur-
der, completely enveIoped in mystery. The VIC
TINA widow lady OF about 80 years or age, living
alone on small place, IN a neat cottage OF her
own, with neighbors within a few rods, having out
little money or valuables. secure In the thought
that would disturb poor, unonend-
ing widow--was brutay killed by COM
mon woocmans axe or her own, taken
from her woodpile aud used by some inhuman
monster. There had evidently been three blows
struck; the first just<above the forehead, and,
glancing backward, taking out part OF the skull
about the size OF a silver half dollar, and which,
with the brains, was found in the roon The
second was side cut the head. ana appeared
to have been given after the victim had IaIen.
The third was on the back OF the head, toward the
right side,
A CLEAN CUT THROUGH FALSE BRAID
and through the thickest part OF the skull the full
wadth OF the axe, ana must have been blow OF
terrible force, directed by some devil in human
form. The evidence goes TO show that she
had arisen early and maze cup OF tea, which, with
some bread and preserves, had been eaten In the
pantry ior her breakfast the teapot being warm
when found on the Kitchen stove The crime ap-
pears to have been committed about six O'Clock.
MIR. Sconeld, OF Pound Ridge called 10 take her TO
his house about halipast nine O'Clock, and, after
south room door, and, not finding any one, opened
the north room door and discovered the room full
OF smoke. He went immediately TO Mr.. r. II. Pen
seiecx's house on fire, and they Immediately pro-
ceeded there together. Mr.. Pennoyer went imme.
smoke, and through the moor OF which
he fell INTO the cellar, out OF which he
D mare Saa seen
summoned the fire was suDdued and search
made ior Mrs. selieck. Not finding her In the
house or outbuildings. the house was again
searched, with the cellar, and not until the cellar
had been visited three times were
THE BLAckENED AND CHARRED REMAINS
discovered. The house was here lett as found and
9 jury empaneled, VINO, on arriving at the house
Kept the house the yuw w0ops nsas the soNe
rated with blood, and a piece OF the skull, with
brains and hair showed too plainly the terrible ma
the cellar the blackened mass could be seen,
| though hardly recognizable, as the remains OF
the legs were burned on above the knee. and the
| arms ana hands gone almost entirely. The thigh
| bones were still remaining in f0rm although
CHARRED ALMOST TO A CRISP.
The head, with the face completely charred, was
In the best state OF preservation and, ON removing
three places, as before described The body was
recognized as that OF MRS. Sellecks by the false
The bureau drawers had been rulnmaged,
ady's gold watch, pocketbook, with
sVer are al ne bpas sd mssUa No
dence tending to fix suspicion on any person was
| elciteo, nor any motive found for such horrible
1 crime. The jury adjourned until Monday next,
| when further evidence viii be taken. The town
| authorities have offered reward OF $780, and the
Masonic Lodge, OF which her son is a member, 3
reward OF $50 1or the arrest OF the murderer.
| ''YEs, / HAVE SOMETHING MORE TO SAY. THERE
| is CUBA-PooR, STRUGGLING CUBA. WANT YOU TO
| STAND BY THE CUBANs. CUBA MUST BE FREE. HER
TYRANNIcAL ENEMY MUST BE CRUSHED. CUBA MUST
NOT ONLY BE FREE, But ALL HER SISTER ISLANDS.
THIS REPUBLIC RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. / AM
PASSING AWAY, BUT YOU MUST LOOK AFTER THIS.
We HAVE BEEN TOGETHER: NOW YOU MUST LOOK TO
THIs.-Dying Words or General Ratci,ts TO Sec7'e-
tasY Cres,reH
.'IT is UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES WHOSE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN
THUS TAKEN FoRcIBLY FROM THEM HAVE NOT BEEN
ALLOWED TO EMPLOY SUCH ADVOCATES, SOLICITORS,
NOTARIES, AGENTS AND FACTORS AS THEY MIGHT
JUDGE PROPER; ON THE CONTRARY, AS THIS Gov
ERNMENT is INFORMED THEIR PROPERTIES HAVE
| BEEN TAKEN FROM THEM WITHOUT NOTICE, AND AD-
vOcATEs, SOLICITORS, NorAIIEs, AGENTS OR FACTORS
HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED 70 nsTERposE IN THEIR
BEHALF. II is FURTHER UNDERSTOOD THAT THE
NAMES or PARTIES WHOSE PROPERTIES ARE THUS
| EMBARGoED ARE FROM TINE TO TINE PUBLISHED, AND
THEIR PROPERTIES THEREAFTER IMMEDIATELY
SEIZED, WITHOUT OPPORTUNITY TO THEM OR THEIR
AGENTS TO BE PRESENT AT ANY PROCEEDINGS IN RE-
GARD THERETO OR At THE TAXING OF EXAMINATION
on EVIDENCE. In MANY INSTANCES THESE PRO
CEEDINGs HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST THE
PROPERTIES OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED
STATES WHO WERE NOT AT THE TINE. AND
WHO HAVE DURING THE CONTINUANCE or
THE DISTURBANCES ON TIE ISLAND OF CUBA BEEN
WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF SPAIN. AND Is NO
ToRIoUs THAT BY GOING TO THE ISLAND CUBA,
AFTER THE OFFICIAL DRNuNCiATToN OF THEIR AL
LEGGED CONDUCT, THEY WOULD SUBJECT THEMSELVES
TO ARBITRARY ARREST AND POSSIBLE SUMMARY
MILITARY TRIAL, If NOT TO THE UNCONTROLLED
VIOLENCE OF POPULAR PREJUDICR."-Fish 70
Roberts, 1870.