The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-24
STABBED IN Ills GARDEN.
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE or MR.. j. II.
IAN HOUTJsN or NEWARk.


How he sny. he was Twice As-aiIed In the
Dark-Why Some do not Credit his story
The Experiments that n Physician Made.
Mr.. j. ii. Won Houtcn of Newark was
found in his garden on Sunday night groaning
and apparently parulyzed. He avcrred that
man had stabbed him three times in the neck.
Following so soon after another assault on Mr..
Van lIouten tho wounds Of which have not
yet healed. 1t was widely believed that some in
vetcrnto enemy was determined to assassinate
him. Some I'm Newark did not credit this.
Several men there have had experience with
Mr.. Van Houten. His Masonic Lodge has had
trying time with him. Naturally. through the
publicity Of the Sunday night assault people
talked about their own experiences with him.
and every time n new experience was told men
nodded significantly. and said TINT they felt GER
tain that Mr.. Van Houten was his own assailant.
Mr.. Van Houten. on the night OF April s. left
Pythagoras Lodge A. +. and A. NJ. where
charges against him were being investigated.
In few minutes he hurried back into the
lodge room and told story that startled the
members. He said that he met tall man and
n short man in Prospect street. The tall man
seized his hand, gave him Masonic grip. and
then stabbed him in the neck from behind. He
had n cut In the mock which was an inch and
onc-eighth wide and the next day photog-
rapher struck of several views Of the neck and
wound. Physicians say II could not have been
very serious as Mr. Nan, HoHten vas around
fcsses have been nstonished mt this at
tack. SCule one warned him by an anonymous
letter as follows:
Do not go to the lodge tonight Your life is in danger
This letter. he says. his daughter found under
the front door. He showed 1t to one brother
Mason. Mr.. Keib. and told Mr.. Kcb that he was
notalrad. His insinuai on that the Free Masons
had inspired the attack greatly annoyed the
members Of Iythagorns Lodge. and especially
one ol1 remark he IS saiI to have made, which
other Morgan OF me. but can't do it," No COM
plant w,s made to the police OF this assault
Another report began soon To be circulated
that Col Burroughs. Van Houten's landlord.
years of age, and one OF the most tender hearted
men IN Newark. He has had difficulty enough
with Mr.. Van Houten. he freely admits. in the
way OF threats, and one assault with an axe
nude 10y Mr.. Van Houten.
On Sunday evening last Mr.. Van Houten
walked in his garden at 10 O'Clock. The night
wis dark. and why he walked there he does, not
scream. They found him apparently unable to
move. with the blunt end oil 5-inch carpenters
of them pulled the awl out. and Van Hou,en
mOuned that he WAS about 10 die. pOii'e
officer ran for n physician and for Chief OF
Police Meldrum. The chief WAS told that Van
Houten WIS fatally injured, and that
Coroner Osborne ought to be- called to take his
County Physician Ward. Police Surgeon Reed
and ne family nf the wounded man stood
around MS bed. lie seemed TO be- breathing his
last. but II struck the Coroner and Police Sur
geon rs a little singular that they had To search
So long Tor the wound. II seemed 10 Chief Mel.
drum more than singular. and he rivately said
10 Police Surgeon Reed that he thought It was "A
fraud. Coroner Osborne did not ink 1t neces-
sary to take an ante -mortem deposition. but
put a fe.. questions to Van Houten He said
that a tall man with side whiskcrs had stabbed
MN three times IN the garden. and that he fet
three shocks. like electric flashes, running to
his feet. and then he felt nothing. He indicated
Ebenezer Woolsy Of 2O5 Elm street as his assas-
sin. and Chief Meldrum arrested W ooley.
Some difference of opinion was oppressed by
the physician rs to the extent OF Van Houten S
Injuries ana Coroner Osborne who IS physi-
clun. d.t"rnined To- eNhmin" the patient him-
self. He first felt Of VAN Houten's legs. which
he said were pArhyzed. Coroner Osborne. as
he rubbed one foot with his hand. gently
thrust the point OF a nredle-like instrument
into Il flesh The leg was drawn up with avery
sudden Jerk, and an expression of pain passed
over Van Houten's face. DR.. Osborne thought
he would make the examination complete as
far As the paralysis OF the legs was concerned
.tud 80 he pricked the other foot There WAS
very decided feclinR In Il. Then DR.. Osborne
bent the ltile finger oi the ght hand SHARPLY.
Doctor put his thermometer into Van Houten's
mouth. ana found the blood az a normal heat.
his pulse humping regularly at 10. and his
skin moist and healthy Then he Hrobed the
wound in the buc6 Of the neck. The probe
wont In just half an inch.
But 10 SHOW the violence with which he was
attacked. a stone WAS found in the gar len
which bore marks 2p It 81 havns been used TO
As a result Of Dr. Oshorne's examination. Mr.
Nooey. VINO had been 10 'ked up twenty-four
hours. and who could account for every minute
of his time ON Sunday evening. WAS discharged
When the officer arrested Muoley. and he was
told what the charge against him WIS. he said.
Hasn't TINT man prosecuted me enough yet p
Mr.. Van HOuten seemed very weak yesterday.
hut he Indignantly denied that he had stabbed
himself and insisted that he was paralyzed
Mr.. Van llouten Will probably be called upon 10
make his assertions good in "A criminal court
~ certain persons in Newark have been advised
10 lodge complaints against him. Had not Mr.
Van Houtrn been sick on Monday lie was TO
have been elected from the house by consta-
bic. and those who aver tnut he stabbed himself
say that he selected Sunday night for that
reason.
The Free Masons are rather averse to speak
Ing Of their tron be with MIR. Van llouten, but
they admit that they have helped him and that
thcy have mad reason to complain of his course
The Humboldt Insurance Company had an
experience with Van Houten. His place was
burned up n few years lEo. and on proof Of loss
the company paid him. although he did not
hrln. his policy. some time alter the policy
was presen and second payment demand
ed. hut II WAS rslusel Some of the men with
whom Van lioucn had dealings are too much
frightened now To say anything about them.
VAN lIOuten Is "A man Oi %. and a very plAusi-
ble talker The first impression Of him is u
pleasant one He has some inventive ability
Other reports are circulated in Newark about
ms past life. He Is not believed TO he insane
but ls described as IA very peculiar man.