The New York herald., 1876-11-19
THE HILDEBRAND suicide.
Conclusion of the Inquest by Coroner
Croker Yesterday.
INCISIvE FORENSIC CONTEST
Historical Sketches Embraced in the
Evidence.
AN OPEN VERDICT RENDERED

Coroner Croker yesterday finished the inquest In
the OF William Hilacbrand, who died the s,h
usL AS had been expected George the Count
Joanncs was present. and closely contested every
point favor OF hts dead client, seeking TO Introduce
testimony showing the cause OF his clients suicide to
be tho seduction OF tho latter's wife by William B.
Ogden, Of High Bridge. This testimony, the Count
claimed, formed part and purcell OF The loading
his clients death, and which he maintained It
the prcrogative ofthe Coroner to investigate.
Mrs Hidebrand, wife of the deceased, not pres
eni, owing To Ill health
Tho following the proceedings at the inquest:-
Shortly after three O'Clock Coroner Croker and his
| deputy (Dr Macwhinnc) continued the Inquest by
calling the OF the deceased A. II. HIDE
| brand, who testified as follows:-I reside at No.
1ss Third avenue, Brooklyn; TN son OF the
deceased; last saw my father alive ut hall past
seven O'Clock on the morning OF Saturday November
l. ai home he LETT to go to New York; heard OF
| his death about O'Clock Sunday morning. the
9TH INST has not recently been engaged in any bust
ness; his eyes affected, aud hc was partially
blind; he was last In business two years ago; often
heard him say that he wished he dead but
heard him say anything about committing suicide.
Coroner croxer then said :-.If the counscllors on
either side have any question to ask they muy DO
Counsellor Joanncs then ntcrrogated witness as iol-
lows:-
Tho coun,-was your fathers dress OF any special
ncatnoss that day.
witncss-ycs, he told n few days before he went
away that he intended going to Now York to collect So
Here the pistol, with which Mr.. Hidcbrand killed
himself, shown witness
The Coroner-Did you ever see that pistol?
wiincss-I last my athcr with 1t two days be-
fore he shot hilnsolf my father had had it u good
many years; Wednesday or Thursday previous 10
his death he down into tho yard and shot It on
then came back and loaded 1t again. He made no OBJ
scrvations.
The Count Joannes hero produced lcttcr, tho last
tho deceased ever wrote showing tho presence OF
deceased court on certain occasion. Tho letter
was objected to by Counsellor Niles and ruled out by
Coroner Croker.
Avcy ''spurt" was here INDUCED In between the two
counscors. When Mr.. Niles objected to tho reading
OF the ettcr George tho Count Joanncs turned upon
him with crushing emphasis sa:d:--"Unless you
assume, sir that William B. Ogden is here charged
with the murder of William Hildetrand you can't be
here counsel 10 represent him." Mr.. Niles hero
wished TO read the letter presented, but the Count
would not Let him DO So handing IL to
Coroner Croker. Then turning 10 Mr. Niles Tho Count
Joaunes said :"Ycu would not make very good his
torian sir; your memory Is very dehcien,.' Mr..
Mics replied :-"Your memory must also DO very de-
ficicnt or you would not be boasting have beaten
you i've times in these cases. -
The Count-No SIR; no, slr This is tho nrst action
for crim This action goes 20 show the adultery
that committed Tor Two and hall years unknown
TO the poor husband more than twenty years ago.
The examination oil witness then continuci:- 81 did
not know unit O'Clock Saturday afternoon that
my father had taken the pistol with him.
committed suicide Now l wish TO understand
whether ho was out OF his mind not'
Tho Count Jonnncs-Do you intend to exclude othor
evidence pointing out the cause OF the suicide evidence
that rs mos. important going to show renewed ndul-
tins renewed adultery being the motive IN tho mans
mnd driving him TO insanity
Coroner Crokcr-Thas has nothing to do with this
case at ALL
Tho Count Joannes-I beg leave to differ with tho
honorable Court II man is driven TO insanity by tho
act OF u third party that IS q probable cause.
A. IL Hildc6rand here concluded hls testimony by
saying that he always considered that his father was
In sound mind up TO the timo OF his death.
George tho Count Joanncs was then sworn in q
Coroner Crokcr-what is your namc?
The Count-Gcorge- Count-Joannes for thirty
years ihat has boon my name.
Counsellor Niles-was that tho name he chris
tened undcry
Tho Count-Now, Mr.. Niles, don't Let your questions
lead you back TO Egypt where yoar name came from.
To the Ccurt-l reside IN the Park House, Park
row; | hrst became acquainted with the deceased,
Wsm Hidobrand, In the first week in july 1871 no
retained mo in certain action then pending; l last
saw HIM alive IN court the 0rst Monday OF October.
and then Tour days alter that
Tho Coroncr-DO you know what was the cause OF
| the mans dcathY
| The Count answer and believe that accumulated
wrongs created an INSANITY and IN that he Killed hm-
self; my presence within the last i've years no las
threatened times to XIII hImselL and many
to Kill Ogden; at the time when he discovered tho
renewed adultery prevented HIM by man IRON
committing suicide He had that very pistol with him,
and showed II; then ths mans mind was relieved be-
ho saw vitality In tho suit on tho last day saw
him tho nian depressed, and rallied him as usual
homo feeling joyful; once HiIdebrand said,
II think shall have 20 out ana kill Ogden = said
ar you rcpeu, that ihrcsl will have you arrested
Counsellor Nies-Do you state that under oaths
Tho Count do.
Coroner Crokcr--Do you know anything personally
about Ogden and Hidcbrands relations In this casey
Tho Count-No. dout suppose that Ogden
fnn IN ri hfft mn gro tiuitar
with my clients wife. will now submit the wii.'s
confession TO her numerous adulterics with Ogden,
more especially containing the history OF her renewed
adultery in Chicago ON October Q. 1870.
Hero Counsellor Niles objected
The Count TO Nilcs)-I remember that you said one
day "Oh pooh, pooh adultery that Is gone twenty
years, wha. is .hats" referred you to me example
old and has not been forgotten yet
Counsellor Niles-I submit that the Coroner DO not
The Count-Another suggestion from Egypt
Counsellor Nilcs-Ask witness whether he told him
that he had better take some enc oises lilo than hts
The Count 10 Nlcs)-Voni soft qui NAL ' pensc--
Evil 70 MIN that evii thinks could never have made
Counsellor NiIos-why don't you address the Court
instead OF addressing moi
that did address you at all To the Coroner-My i'm
preston that tho accumulation OF mis- wrongs caused
The Coroner--I win not receive that
1he Count now prefer that have offered In evil
with this man, the sworn Testimony and voluntary
confession OF all hcr crimes.
OBJECTED To by Counsellor Niles and ruled out
Coroner Croker then closed tho aud the Jury
retired for deliberation.
After few They returned with the following
ave hnd that William Hdebraud camo to his death
| by committing suicide while under temporary aber-
| ration Of mnd"
WEARY OF LIFE.