The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-05-16
Murder VIII Out.
a Crime Commit ed Ten Years Aet
Traced Home.
cH1LD's BANNING RECoLLEcr1oNs

Great excitement prevails hero over
the arrest of. James Cassel!oni, an
Italian living in the Montvale Swami
on suspicion of being the murderer Of
Henry and Caroline Hoffmier, an aged
couple, who were found dead in their
beds, at Orangeburs, Rockland County
New York, ten years ago. Hoffmier
ana MS wife had few visitors. and
lived in very frugal way, but it was
rimored that they had considerable
property and the old mans urgent de.
NAL OF the lnmor when questioned on
the subject only tended to confirm the
general belief. James Casselloni. or
Italian Jim" was their nearest neigh.
Dor half a mile away. In the spring
OF 1867, the old man failed to make his
usual visits to the Town-a mile avav
to procure provisions, and visit
was made to his hut by party of viii
layers. On forcing an entrance to the
mousse which was lorked up, horrible
spectacle met the eyes of the visitors
On the bed lay the bodies of Hoffmier
and his wife, their threats cut clean
across, and the clothes and the f;oor
covered with dried blood. The he'd
had been tossed about, and the holes
kettles and boxes about the the hnt
presented the appearance of having
been we'll dug out and scraped bv
some one in search of treasure. The
discovery created great excitement
throughout the region. An. investisa-
ton was set on foot, and all possible
clues were followed up with great zeal
several parties being arrested for the
crime and dismissed want of evil
dence. Casselloni was among the
most Jealous investigators and offered
many plausible suggestions, thus d.
VertlnS attention from himself. Grad
ualty the excitement died out until
quite recently, when distant relative
OF the aged couple arrived at Orange
ourg and went over the ground the
Others had, only more carefully. She
learned enough to convince her that
the murder could be traced to the door
OF Casseloni. Visiting the old resi-
dents, it was learned that Caselloni's
household at the time of the murder
consisted of the Italian, a woman who
was known to be his mistress, and
little boy, aged five, whom no one
Knew, but who was said to have been
abducted by Casselcni from over the
hudson. Placing the matter in the
'lauds of the Rocklapd Coun1y officers,
Tie woman went over her suspicious,
and the grounds given appearing SO
strong, new search was began. Tie
boy whom Casseloui had abducted
having run away, WAS found livingj
with family in the Ramapo Moun-1
'ains, md the woman, who was the
ltaiIaa's mistress, was found at Pier
Dont, living with man named Smith
Is his wife. Casteloni had meanyllil.
moved to Montvale, where he erected
Int in the swamps and lived by ira
ing OFT old harness and serving as q
ockey at horse-races. The authorities
7lsted the boy living in the Ramapo
fountain, aud after good deal of
persuasion got him to confess that
While ne was living with Casseloni the
Italian one night came home covered
With blood, and the next night he COM 4
yelled the boy to assist him in digging
hole and burying the bloody clothes.
he boy was never allowed out of the
ouse, and therefore could NOT tell ,
whether it was the date of the murder /
+ not. On this and other develop-
lents Justice Peter Stems issued war
ants tor the arrest of Casseloni, his
ormer mistressf the man Smith and 4
he boy. The three latter were com
lifted to the Rockland County Jail "a
illnesses. Casscloni was arrested T
'st night in this city. The Italian Of F
'red no resistance, but before locking
i'm up Westervelt took from him a
lrk-knife, the blade of which meas
red six inches.
Casselloni is about fifty years ofage,
x feet ins height, of exceedingly re- y
ulslve counteDance, and bears the
'putation of being dangerous per- :
IN. The charge against him will be !
rought before the present Grand jury N
Rockland County.-[Closter, N. j., :
or. N. Y. Star.