The New York herald., 1875-07-01
A SAD TRAGEDY.

THE SHAMEFUL DEATHS OF YOUNG DORA BENK-
HARDT AND HER CHILD AT FARMINdDALE,
L.
There Is great deal of excitement a Farming
dale and vicinity In consequence OF the sudden
death, under questionable circumstances, OF Miss
Dora Bcnkhardt, aged twenty years, the daugh-
ter OF Mr.. W. Benkhardt, the Postmaster at Jeru-
salem station, on the Long Island Railroad. The
circumstances, as thus lar developed, appear to
reveal an extraordinary and horrible case OF do
mestic crime The evidence discloses the fact that
for some time past Miss Bcnkhardt had been keep
ing company with the son OF a neighoor named
James Weaver. On the night OF the 10th
ult. she was taken suddenly ILL., and Weaver,
on being informed or tho fact. went imme-
diately to procure the services OF Dr. Preston, or
Amityve. Dr.. Preston had reason to suspect
that something was wrong, from the fact that
some three months previously Weaver had come
to him and wished him to give Dora some medi
cine, as she was Sin trouble, " which the Doctor
refused TO do. On the last occasion, however,
Weaver prevailed upon the Doctor 10 accompany
him TO Dora's house. Upon arrival there about
O'Clock IN the evening, and Just as they drew up
in the yard, they we're met by Mr.. weaver, the
father OF the young man, VINO sad to the Doctor.
"lhere is no use IN your going TO the house; the
girl is dead.r Shortly alterward Mr.. Benkhardt
came out OF the house and requested the Doctor TO
90 IN aud see II his daughter was dead. Iu order
that he might grant certificate. The Doctor ac-
cordingly entered the house and saw that the
tended her during her illness he
REFUSED TO GIVE A CERTIFICATE.
Mr. Benkhardt ON the next morning gave infor-
nation OF the death OF his daughter TO Coroner
Baylls OF oyster Bay, who at once took Official
possession OF the body. and, impanelling jury,
which viewed 1t IN the usual manner, commenced
an inquest at Moons Hotel In Farminguale, aud
permission was given for the burial OF the body.
During the first three days the inquest was held
with closed doors, and adjourned from time TO
time,
A SUSPICIOUS VEIL OF sECBEsY
beinQ thrown the whole affair. Not untiI
mitted beside the jury and the witnesses. Two
doctors-Be and Preston-testihed TO having
made post-mortem Examination oil the BODY OF
deceased, and that ST. had died IN Childbirth,
probably IRON the effects OF the now OF blood,
which was not properly checked but that no child
had been Iound.
Young Weaver's father was asked by the Coro-
ner what he had done with the chld-where he
had buried 1t. lie At first refused to answer any
questions. but nnally being aard pressed, ac-
knOwiedged that at the request or the girl, VINO
buried II. subsequently,, accompanied by she
Coroner and the Jury, he proceeded 10 potato
field on his farm, where he proceeded TO unearth
six-pound starch box. whicn, upon being
finely formed male infant, weighing about eight
pounds. Tne Doctor, after an examination, gave
evioence that the child had been born alive.
Dr. Arcularis, OF New York city, testified that
the deceased. in company with woman whom
he recognized as her mother, visited his once
some three months ago and wished to obtain
medicine to get her out or her trouble and that
he gave her
ONLY SOME oUININE
Weaver, the father, further testified that he
new the child was born alive as he heard IL cry.
After taking some other less important testl-
mony the inquest was lurther adjourned until
next week. L. is understood that the Coroner Is
In communication with District Attorney Down
tng OF Queens county, regarding tnc case.