The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-14
THE HARLEM MURDER.
Trial Of Thomas ]. Bartell for the
Murder of Ann Hammond.
How the Poor Washerwoman
Was Butchered.


commenced yesterday mornin N the Court Of General
Sessions Part l. before Recorder Hackctt The court
room crowded, and from The peculiar and mystic
rous surroundings Of the frghtIul deed the proceed
ings listened 10 with deep interest Assistant
District Attorney Russell appeared the part OF the
prosecution, and the prisoner defended by Mr..
William r. Knitting
In opening tho Mr. Russell called the attention
the jury the setting forth the various de-
grees Of murder. he SAID that counts in tho in
dictment charged FIRST that the 18th OF March last
between the hours Of two and four O'Clock the prisoner
at the bar with deliberate intent and pre- medtatcd
design effected the death OF Ann Hammond
second, that while engaged ia the commission
OF n felony he effected the death Of Ann
Hammond; third and fourth, that while engaged
In cndcavorng to effect the death OF Mary Freeman
other person he effected the death OF the said
Ann Hammond. Counsel, in aluding to the history OF
Bartc referred to his unhappy relations with his wife,
owing to which IL necessary for her to separate
from him aud 1.-Two with her relatives Wards Island.
Mrs Hammond, no said poor woman, who, by
her untring industry, supported her family OF i've
children She had been only slightly acquainted with
the prisone. at the bar who had been living in the
house of Mrs. Freeman, No 2,ll4 Second avenue, for
months. Mrs. Freeman, the day the murder
perpetratcd, went Wards Island, and her
turn, company with Mrs. Bartel found the kitchen
door locked. Alter knocking Tor time for ad-
mit.ance she thought she detected peculiar odor and
nnay entered the house through of the front win
dows, and just before opening the Tor Mrs. Barte
was struck with horror at behoding Mrs Hammond
stretched the floor with her head sink and
the blood streaming down her face. The two
rushed out for officer, and seeing Bartell at
corner he placed under arrest.
TESTIMONY or MRS MARY FREEMAN
Mrs Mary Freeman was the first witness examined,
and in response to the Assistant District Attorney de-
posed folows IL am the wife OF James Freeman who
does business in Franklin street. and have been married
Tour years; have known the prisoner year. his
wife is my cousin they married about years
since; her Rose Healey, and her relatives
lived Wards Island; Heay the baker; alter the
marriage they left the island and lived alone at 130th
street, months ago she went home Barte then
lived with and the witness six months and paid
her husband, but was not regular boarder; the day
before the murder they had quarrel with the prs
oner the witness told him. through her husband, he
had better leave the house. owing 10 his Incorporate
habits be promised to amend his ways, and said he
would go down town to live with his brother; |
him on the day oil the murder, and they went out
leaving the house in Mrs. Hamm0nds charge Witness
,al basement house; she lived then with
her husband; she had no children; the pris-
oner occupied room on the third floor; on
latch key and the basement door boited she
10 Wards Island; next met Bartc on the corner Of
ton OF the house; Mrs Bartcii came back from the
Island with her; we went to see Mrs. Miner; they
went 10 the house but could not get in tho witness
went IN through awndow and opened the door for
Mrs Bartcll we went INTO the kitchen and the
body the floor went into tbs kitchen through the
diuing room; Mrs. Hammond was lying on the floor
VITA her head under the sink; her attention first
attracted by tho blood on the wall and floor; then went
into Second and met Officer Reilly; told the
officer TO Bartell for the murder; tho officer
broueh. him into the house where the body lay and
where crowd OF people had collected, and subse-
qucnty took 20 the station house. witness ndent
fed the calico sacquc Of The deceased stained with
blood, and also Barteil's bloody clothing and the
Ratchet with which the deed committed.
Mr.. K,ntz,ng crossexatntued the wipcss Bartell
months; they never had had any actual quarrel but
he generally intoxicated, and she often spoke
him about his dssouie habits; on the afternoon Of tho
murder she the prisoner drunk; he was not very
drunk, but under tho influence of liquor. the
window in the basement OF the house was not boiscd,
and could have been easily opened from the outside;
about ten days before the murder committed she
drunk spoke about the fact that tnere several
drops OF blood in the hallway.
TESTIMONY OF JAnEz FREEMAN.
Jabez Freeman the husband Of the last Witness tcs-
lifted that he made the acquaintance of Bartell about
year ago. no had only paid witness SIS up TO the 18th
Of March; the prisoner said 10 him. FOR Gods sake
don't turn me out; you do shall never see my vile
again witness said he would leave the entire matter
In The hands OF his wife; the next time he the
prisoner at the station house
To Mr. Kinlzng-I did not tell the prisoner would
turn him OUT but advised him to go.
HARTELi's ARREST.
O1lcer James Reilly, OF the twelfth precinct testified
that he arrested Barcl at the request Of Mrs FrecE
snc pointed him he stood leaning against post
then they down 10 Mrs. Freeman's house, wnere
they found the body of Mrs Hammt nd IN the kitchen;
officer Mccarthy then in and took the prisoner
the station bouse; there was blood on the prisoners
left hand
Cross-cxamincd by Mr.. Kntzing--The prisoner was
the influence OF liquor when arrested the blood
dry on the hand and the marks were across tho
fingers from JOINT TO joint.
Mrs. Freeman here recalled aud stated that
when she entered the house she noticed a peculiar
smell II wool or linen had been thrown the lire
She remarked thus fact to Mrs Bartcll ana to the
police officers
TESTIMONY OF OFFICER MCCARTHY.
Oncer Mccarthy OF the Twenty third precinct, was
blood came on his hand, but tho witness refused TO
answer Witness with the Rev. Father Flattery and
the prssoaer entered the house. and Ocer Reilly drew
out the body. The prisoner called 10 his VILE for
handkerchief, but the witness would allow
him to have one In answer TO the officers inter
prisoner said he had had light with liquor
store but he could not state IN what store or with
The blood, and the witness said, That's the only
thing that gives me away" Witness searched his
pockets and got pair Of cuffs and pair Of stockings
To Mr. Kintzing--I am positive there was blood on
both the prisoners hands, he was under the influence
Of Donor, but only slightly.
To Assistant District Attorney Russeli--On the way
10 the station house the prisoner looked at his hand
aud said, 80 God. why didn't wash that ony''
The prisoner was accompanied by his wife after re-
Mrs freeman was recalled. and stated that the
windows Of her house were not guarded with bars.
MURDER.
Roundsman Macarthur testified that no made dia
gram OF the room where the murder com mtted;
he found marks OF blood all over the floor and pail
OF water covered with BIZ cd the sink, and tho
door was basin OF water, also dsscoiored; hc foaad
Ratchet In the hallway with fresh blood upon
1t; there marks Of blood on the window si
or near III on second visit he took away some OF tho
murdered woman's clothing; he afierward arrested
nau named Ryan and confronted him with the pris-
oncr the prisoner said TO Ryan, II have no charge
10 make against you; there are more Ryans than one
the next day on going court. the prisoner said To
Witness "Tnat silly remark made TO the Captain Is
what gave away; don't care Tor myself but tho
disgrace II will be TO my wife; my iaihef AND notacr
dead, and wish my wife was dead too
TN cross-examinaon the witness stated that on
being charged with the murder he remarked, II knew
all obout IT. and went 10 explain bow tho murder
might have been committed. with expressions Of re-
greet
Captain Robbins testified that when the prisoner was
brought TO the station house there blood on both
his hands
TO Mr.. Kintzing-whcn Ryan brought 10 the