The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-02
FARMER IAN ALsTTNEs DEATH.
Tho Reception he Received ut Home Amer
Two Year. In state Prison.

Two Years In state Prison.
HoNEsDALE, Pa, Aug. 1.-Two years ago
this summer Andrew J. Van Alstino lived on
farm in Staruccn. this county. His family con-
sisted OF his wife, two sons. and daughter.
Van Alstine was an industrious man. and his
farm was nearly paid for. Both he and his wife
were members OF the Baptist Church. In 1873
Van Alstine lent neighbor named Hicks some
stovepipe. That summer the former called for
its return. Hicks disputed the ownership Of
the pipe. A quarrel ensued Van Astine lost
his temper. and with piece Of board beat
Hicks unconscious with 1t. 1t was thought
Hicks would die. Van Alstino was sentenced to
two years in the Eastern Penitentiary. and to
pay fine Of 800. His wife began the circula-
ton OF petitions for his pardon.
When Van Astne was imprisoned his wife
hired Samuel Avery to work the farm. While
the petitions for pardon were being circulated
bv Mrs. Van Alstinc 1t began to be rumored that
there was a suspicious intimacy between. her
and Avery; Finally no more was heard Of the
ceased. She became frequenter OF picnics
and balls. always accompanied by Avery Cred
itors issued executions against her husbands
property, Avery bought in horses that were
sold and claimed them as his. The whole di-
recton OF the farm and the Van Alstne house
ceased cg,S Ito to visit Mrs. Van Alstine. 10 ""'''
Four weeks ago Van Alstine's torn Of imprs-
rainy night. II want to see my wife and chill.
dren so badly that can't wait until morning"
said he tn an Acquaintance here. He started for
home on foot. The distance is thirty miles.
mostly through the woods. He reached Staruc-
ca early next day. His wife barely spoke to
him.
Avery remained at Van Alstine's only short
time after the latters return. having. found
work at Herrick, n few miles distant. Three or
four days after Van Astne's arrival home he
was seized with pains In his stomach.
On the night Of Saturday. July 20, he died in
July %. Mt the Methodist church in Stanucca.
As Mrs. Van Alstine was going from the church
after the services. Constable Stoddard arrested
her. Her son. John II. Van Alstinc. Of Ararat.
made the charge against her Of numbering his
father. She was held by Esquire Mumiord to
await the action OF the Grand Jury. Soon after
ward the prisoner was taken Ill., and could not
be brought 10 Jail Mt this place. She mas not yet
been able to leave the house Of the officer. 1t is
believed that sho she is suffering from the eff
fects of poison. II has been estabished.that she
purchased poison at n drug store.
just before his death Van Alstine said TO n
| friend: when | was walking through tho rain
and darkness and woods IRON Honesdale. on
/ my way home from prison. looked forward TO
the meeting with my wife and children as the
! happiest moment in my life. ! believed | had
ntoned for my crime, committed in passion.
| and was fully determined 80 conquer my tenn
per. l reached home tired and footsore. |
| attempted TO kiss my wife. but she coldy re-
| buffed me. But my children. thank God! were
! glad to see me. My wife had written loving let
tiers to me during the first months OF my i'm:
| prisonment. They. grew less frequent, and
| finally ceased entirely. | understand now that
this was because she had forgotten me for
! Avery, To crown all. she told me when l got
! back that she didn't want TO live with me be-
cause Avery was good to her and helped her
| while Wns QOnpN