New-York tribune., 1874-01-16
The BERGEN MfTRICIDE
ExAMIv.TIoN OY TIiH PIIsONrR-AN UNHAPPY
MlRRIAGE-THE WIDOWS PRUGNITY.

ExAMlv.TION OY TIIR PRIsONER-,N UNHAPPY
MlRRIAGE-THE WIDOWS FRUGNIIY.
Joseph W. Freeman, who shot and killed
his mother in Bergen n. J.. Wednesday night. was
taken before Justice Reese yesterday for examination
On being asked IL he had statement To make he said
that he had not, except that the shooting was acci-
dental. The Judge thereupon committed him TO await
the action Of the The County Phyneian when
viewed the body Wednesday night, ordered Coroner
Msban to hold Inquest Yesterday tho Coroner sum
moned the following residents to act as jury.
Peter c. Westervelt Charles LOeier George B.
Fielder Charles g. Belts. Jabez Wakeman John G.
Westeryet, VIM. Crosscns David Bumsted, Cornolns
Brnkerhof Irving G. Matthews, Franklin 5chied and
John Pear.
Mrs Mary f. Freeman. tho murdered womvn the
widow of Joseph H. Freeman, formerly the proprietor
Of restaurant in Centre Market, NewYork who died
jan II. fs73 exactly year previous 10 the tragedy
which ended the life Of hs widow After the death OF
Mr. the family continued to occupy tho home
stead. which situated Centraiayo,
between Oceanaye and Clarkst,. Bergen. The
family included two and two daush-
ters. and the marriage OF OF tho latter
appears to have been tho beginning OF ,eres of do
nestle troubles which gradually though imperceptiby
led state OF affairs eliminating In tho tragedy which
occurred Wednesday night About three years ago
Turner Fronk. the Of q widow residing near the
Freemans became attached 10 the elder OF the Two
daughters account of hs poverty his suit was
"
permission visit the house. The result OF this re-
sriction was tho sudden disappearance of Miss
Freeman, who remained absent for few days
was married during her absence, then returned
home. and announced herself "a Mrs Turner
Fronk The family Of Mrs. Fronk were 80
exa,perated by this announcement that shs was also
forbidden to enter her mothers homo. Tae daughter
left her home aud for time she and her husband man
aged to provide themselves living. but after short
time he became embarrassed and they then arranged
live apart he going To ms and she to her mothers home
When Mr. Freeman died no bequeathed all ma property
to hi, widow order. 1t is stated TO prevent the son
u-law from acquiring any portion OF H. FOR the past
wear therefore there has been another discOrdant ee
men In the house. Mrs Freeman had tho reputation
OF being penurious woman. and her children Naturally
rcauircd considerable money which was often refused
| them ,,
tween Mrs Freeman and her daughter, Mrs Fronk. and
The other children seemed to tear that this cemency
would extend to the husband though there appears 70
have ground for this apprehension. since the
daughter was only allowed to live at home on the 600.
divn that she would not see her husband IL Is stated
that Fronk has endeavOred reconcile his mothern-
| law 10 the marriage, and has explained that the
marriage was agreed by himself because the lady mad
threatened to commit suicide on account of the 0pp0si
The last link in the chain circumstances which led.
either directly indirectly. to the tragedy was the
Of the mother to give her son Joseph 5000 10
enable him TO begin 6nslneN Ihe matter he T,.
night when In the presence OF bis sisters ne agah re-
ncwed the demand for the money The mother reiI.il
and with her Youngest daughter. started IN leave the
room, after Joseph mad threatened 70 shoot himself
! A, Mrs. Freeman reached the door, the iaCh
shot fired Tne ball passed thronsh the
| back, below the shOulder-blafe. and into the
heart The victim instantly fell dead across the threSh-
old AT the postmortcm examination yesterday IL was
found that ball entered an nch IT, the Ieit OF e
center OF tbe spinc whence Ipassng though the body
OF tue spinal column, the cavity OF the chest the $50
phagus the center lobe of the LETT lung ana the perca
dum 1t wounded the right aur1ce Of the neatt struck
against the breast bone and settled Ia the cavity OF the
chest In it, progress ball struck eight fatal spots
The inquest was held IN the evening aud the circnm
stances OF the murder were recounted,
| Mrs Turner Fronk, the married daughter Of the
| deceased testified that she the only one OF the
family remained in tho room after the prisoner had
threatened shoot himself and narrated the cream
stances Attending the shooting ~ already reported sac
s in addition, that her brother was not OF an alice
tonate disposition though be had never within her
knowledge threatened any persons life other than his
NJ, ,he always believed her brothers mind was IN
settled She concluded her testimony BY saying that
ne saw her brother draw the pistol from his pocket aud
discharge it Al his mother from distance oi about threo
fo,t ner mother died vttuVut SPoahiuS A.
Myra Freshman testified that she. with ner Two sisters
was sitting IN tho in which the tragedy happened
yhen her brother asked her mother for $1,000; their
refused TO give 1t to him ne sd that ne wont
snoor himself: she. fearing that he might do himself
some harm before no thought, ran from the room sne
did want to see him shoot himself she mad got nall
way down tho stars when she heard tue report or
pato she supposed that her brother had shot himself;
her brother was excitsDe dispOsition he never
lived happily with the family.
Harriet Freeman, anOJher sister OF tue prisoner,
testified 90 substantially the same facts she identified
the pistol that had belonged TO her father but
she had IL IN possession OF her brotheri at
times she thought he showed symptoms of insanity he
would siignt prsyocation jump, dance and scream
| in an unaccOunta Die manner. .
nr Buck testified that the wound produced death.
Having described the of the bullet, ne said that
| II had perforated Ave vital points ot fhe body.
| Inst before County Physician Buck mad taken the
the three sisters OF thr prisoner were taken uo
custody by order of Coroner Mahan and held each IN
slOo pail to appear witnesses before the Grand Jury
Al ll:35 D. IN. the Jurors rendered verdict that de-
ceased had come her death by psto shot nred by
her son. Joseph W. Freeman lie was commuleu Tor
| trial