The New York herald., 1874-07-10
History OF the Murder.

Shortly after daylight July %, 1870, the announce
ment of the murder was made to the police OF the
Twenty. ninth precinct Among the first to hear
the cry OF Murder ~ 'Policel" was General Frank
p. Blair, who was lodging in one of the upper
stories Of the hotel. He observed two young men
in nightclothes standing in the doorway OF the
residence, and subsequently at the Coroner's
inquest identified them as Mr.. Nathan's sons,
Frederick and Washington. The greatest excite
ment was Immediately created, and the atten-
ton OF the officers OF Precinct No. 90 was attracted.
They at once went to the house. The develop
ments made by the police were that at twenty
minutes past nine O'Clock on the previous night
Mr.. Nathan retired TO his bedroom, on the second
noor front. The female members OF the family
were staying at summer residence in New Jer-
sey He and his sons had come into the city for
some religious ceremony in commemoration OF the
death of q relative. The eldest son came in at a
later hour and spoke to him before retiring rest
This was the last seen OF BENJAMIN Nathan in life.
Early in the morning at the time mentioned by
General Blair Washington Nathan had descended.
and as was his usual CUSTOM entered his Iather's
room to bid him good morning and
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MURDER
was made. Nathan was found welterIng IN hi his
rear chamber of the second floor contained bed,
which had been occupied during the night by one
of the sons Between 1t and the front room was
washroom. Another room Tor the same purpose
was the opposite side OF the partition and COM
Wss Se library or st %
bed made OF mattresses was placed in the centre
of each room, but the library was furnished with
small centre table, desk, safe, chair and sofa only
The chair was found overturned near the door
leading to the outer room, the safe opened, the
desk leaf down. There was nothing In the sale:
both rooms were spattered with blood and
streaked with hair.
xauRo nCU
were on the carpet, and rything bore the evil
dence OF desperate struggle. The bed was dlsor-
dered showing at aS ner tS Se wn
dow. on the bed lay articles taken rom the sale,
ana several pieces OF com, Near ne 6ody was was
spicuously In the working up OF the case Adjoin-
inc Mr. Nathan's bedroom was that Of the servant
man Kelly, the son OF the housekeeper, who ap-
pears to have heard nothing OF the encounter.
The wounds on the murdered mans head were
severe and numerous-four scalp wounds several
severe fractures OF the SKULL Two or three OF the
fingers Of the lett hand were broken as II by some
heavy instrument to make him loose his hold.
There was checkbook on the desk In the library
with partially drawn check for certain shares,
showing he must have been
ATTACKED WHILE ENGAGED IN WRITING
IT, The detectives considered that he must have
arisen from his bed for the purpose OF making the
check, and also that the crime was committed
sSs wss esay
the AFFAIR, and at half-past nine O'Clock was at the
house, assisted oy several headquarters detec-
tives. thorough examination OF the premises
was made. All persons were carefully ex.
cluded. One Of the sons stood at the
door and prevented newspaper correspondents
by this time had assembled The excitement both
| then and throughout the day was intense. Among
the articles discovered missing were the dlamOnC
studs and sleeve buttons from Mr. Nathan's shirt
| his gold watch (No. 5,657, Pernnger, maker) ant
| some other articles oi jewclrv.
| THE INVEST ia ALTON ny THE DETECTIVES
showed that the "dog' was found originally be
tween the outer and inner hall doors and had beel
afterwards carried up and laid by the body. prevl
ous 70 the arrival 0f the SUPERINTENDENT The hall