The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-01
THE CATSKILL TRAGEDY.
The Condemned Murderer, Waltz,
Brains His Keeper.
His Execution To-Day for Killing the Scis-
S0rS Grinder at Albany.

Holcher, the Albany scissors grinder, who Is to be
executed at Catskill tomorrow, made an assault
upon his keeper, Charles Ernst at about two
O'Clock this afternoon, with bar OF iron which he
had wrenched from the nooring OF hts cell Since
Tuesday last, when Waltz was taken to the farm
for the purpose of pointing out the spot
whore the organ grinder. WHO, he asserts, he
killed about three years since, is buried, he has
been left In shackes in the cell, ana Oficer Ernst
has had him In charge. His demeanor has usually
been quiet and, although he had made repeated
threats against Ernst no attention vas paid to
them. After dinner to-day Ernst returned to the
cell, and must have been attacked within I'VE
minutes alter his entrance. The weapon used
by this young nend was about twenty-six
inches long, two and Q half inches broad and
three.eighths OF an inch In thickness. It was
doubled over at one end about seven inches so as
to add weight to It, and had paper stuffed between
the doubled parts 80 as to prevent any clankng OF
the iron. Taken In ALL 1t Is one of the most formi-
dable weapons conceivable In the hands Of man
intent upon revenge and liberty. Ernst when
found, was lying upon lounge, having been hit
four times over the head, each blow crushing IN
the skull.
PREPARING TO ESCAPE.
The prisoner secured the key with which the
of1cer locked himself in also his revolver, and was
and. had he succeeded, his escape would have
been easily accomplshed-when Mr.. George
Oiney, accompanied by reporter OF the Albany
Times, rang the bell OF the outside door, This
admitting the gentlemen. who had visited
the jail to see the prisoner. On looking
s grating sy saw no but
corner, where the murderer had dragged his VIC
tic. He covered the spots where the blood nad
observer would not have noticed anything out Of
the ordinary course OF things. They Immediately
Es y but no reply
atey forced the door, and with the parties present
pushed into the cell and carried the dying
ofncers keys and revolver were missing. and the
Sherin again entered the cell lat the risk Of his
e ae1 ss when he
down in one corner and gave no answers to the
question as to why he mad committed this last
CONDITION OF THE KEEPER.
In the meanwhile medical aid had been sum-
moned and was soon on the spot. The physicians
through from the forehead to the back Of his head
many pieces Of the skull one Of which was two
that he could not possibly survive. He was re-.
Mattress and his family, consisting Of wife
and four children, sept for:
spread with lightning rapidity, ana soon the whole
populace, with whom he was great favor1te.
hooked to the jail in crowds, blocking up the en-
countr oficials that the crowd were restrained
with which the maddened mob had speedily armed
themselves.
-. -. ssNo RFPRrEvE.n
Mr.; R. 3. King then telegraphed Governor DiS
Waltz has killed his keeper: A large and excited
crowd about the si with implements 70 hang him
Probably be lynched If not repreved the crowd will be
In twenty minutes the following laconic and
characteristic despatch was received in reply
r. II. KING :-No reprieve. JOHN A. DIX.
The excited assembly were then told the con.
tents or the despatch and that Ernst was not dead
and that only perfect quiet would enable him to
recover, and they gradually dispersed. Sherin
Coonley, as an additional precaution. telegraphed
In compliance with this request two companies OF
the Ninth brigade, Company B, Tenth regiment,
sna Pa
bany at eight O'Clock this evening for CatsEnl.
ERNST DYING.
70 s ana
morning 9s sat SS
cancy Excitement prevails IN the village,
i 1Sp@ House s %sSr Il G ,1s q ,s ss
oficer, and has Q large circle OF friends. He Is
family in almost destitute cirmstances. He was
the one who first arrested Waltz and has had
charge Of him since his sentence. He has
wicked designs Of this young friend. He had beer
frequently cautioned against reposingotoo much
woS m ms ns spcsS ssD
and made the fatal moose that 70 TO- aid tomorrow
to usher the murderer before his Maker.
HOW HE MURDERED GERMAN.
Waltz has made what he claims to be full con
fesson OF his crimes which appears to-day for tn,
first time. Among other things he says:-
~de
n M Ta nin q. hs snd
fs%s %aens Sas &C. here
house, and as entered saw the man: say him be
sss s %
hfa S him. in struck hSr bui asr ali
asSe n nn e casd Rna n to se
e Up the oa think M
found ,n the barn and ;y sooe eurs
various PLACES and afterwards took some the part
and went on and had nice time but !. was nearly day
light when was through. think pa was trim
$ns vines s ss there
pe 'Ps sue she sMeys a Of SIGH
talking herself went down to the creek at the en-
Of the farm to wash ana hide there for time som
things Afterwards took the books and buried then
in . large rock and covered them.
This story has many believers. Judge OSBORNE
the prisoners counsel, applied to the Governo
for reprieve at noon to-day, but that on1cal re
fused to do anything In the case. shortly ate
Judge Osborne returned the news OF this last tel
ribe murder was received. Every preparation 1
made for the execution, which will take pac
promptly at ten O'Clock tomorrow morning. Tn
Sheriff has selected his jury.
Arrival OF the Military-A Scene will
the Scissors Grinders Wife.
CATsKILL, April SOL P. NJ
The military have arrived and are on patrol dut
about the jail.
At nine O'Clock Mrs. Holcher, the wife of tn
scissors grinder, accompanied by her sister, ar
rived at the jail and saw Waltz In his cell. Sh
was greatly excited. and upbraided him for tn
murder or her husband and also this last deed q
his fendish barbarity.
Ernst was personal friend OF her family. H
is still living lat eleven P. NJ, but cannot survive
the night.
rYTn