The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-11
PASSAGES TRAGEDY.

WAS JOHN NIEUMAN MURDERED by HIS sON?-
TESTIMONY AT THE INQUEST TO SHOW THE
LATTERs GUILT.
Further Developments were made yesterday in the
case OF John Nieuman. whose body found on
Saturday morning in his barn in Passaic. N. J.
Counsel for defence making strenuous efforts on
behalf of the son of the murdered man, and claim
that they now establish theory which will
clear him. After DIR. ]. @. Herrick, who made
the post-mortem examination. had turned the
body to the relatives. Drs. R. A. Terhune and
f. W. Rice made another critical examination of the
corpse. This was done Mt the order of counsel for
the defence, who now claim that, IL will aid them
materially in establishing the theory that the old
came to his death by falling from the ladder
They claim that two of the six wounds were
made by the same instrument. but that the
ladder in falling threw the old man against
lot OF farming utensils, and that the
disorder. from which it argued that
a desperate struggle had taken place, was only
caused by the old mans attempt To leave the barn
after falling. The blood on the aoor and else where
and the many bloody imprints of fingers alleged
as que to the same cause Alter the examination of
prepared for burial. The funeral will take
place This morning. at eleven o'clock, from
the Dutch Reformed Church at Passaic.
Roman Nieuman. who is charged with the ur,ler.
remains in the County Jail at Paterson under strict
surveillance. II was feared he intended to commit
suicide He acts very nationally at present hut de-
clines to talk about the murder The popular Fool
ing against him in strong.
ONE WITNESS EXAMINED.
The inquest was begun yesterday afternoon at the
Lyceum Theatre. Passaic. Tho Coroner, Jury and
lawyers occupied the stage and wings and quite
large audience assembled. The only witness
examined was Cornelius A. Van Houten who owns
the adjoining that OF the deceased. lie drove
over to Nicuman's place on Saturday morning, and
found Roman lying on the front stoop grooming; he
advised him to go into the house out of the damp
air; Roman told him he did not what became
OF him and refused to do so; witness then went
20 the next neigbbors, where lao was informed
that Roman had brought them the news of
the murder early that morning. and that the lady
Roman you have not stained your hand with your
fathers bloodY Roman left without saying word;
witness also testified to the savageness OF the dog
which had been tied to the door OF the barn in which
the murder committed; Roman had frequently
told him that be would gfye any man 50 who would
80 into the yard while the dog was there; witness
would not have gone into tho yard for the whole OF
Passaic even when the dog was chained; he knew
lncre had been difficulties between the son and father
the elder Neuman intimate friend of tho
Witness and once told him that Roman had not
spoken TO his mother for four years previous to her
death; at another time deceased said, ''fhe whole
diMcnlty is that he wants me away; have offered
him half the proceeds OF the farm, and he demands
aH;' at another time deceased said, at IL a hell
upon earth, at which witness tonished, AS he
had never heard the old man express himself with
such vehemcnce; when the wife OF deceased lied she
lett upward of 5000. and deceased told witness that
there was no living in tho house until he had given
Roman all tho money; In fact, he was In mortal
fear of his son. Tho inquest was adjourned until
this morning.