New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24

ontlet is Owasco Creek, which runs almost diiec'S
through the city, supplying water-powe: loI 'I'c
large mills and factories which give Auoui"
much life and activity. The creek Is ha'le"'io
for q considerable distance from the lake. anu J.,
&c one of those little streams which authors anu
uoets choose for the scenes of the pio's OIL 'helr
verses and stories. On either SIDE Oh tne clccN
PROV large trees, the branches of which eN'ehu
across if until they meet forming in summer time
one continuous arch of foliage. Undcr thls dIch
many lovesong has been sung and many an
Auburn youth and maiden have plighted ther
trotb. II is here that the young folk may ne
found on SUNDAY afternoon. Under the trees
the shadows are so deep that passing love chances
are seen only by those for whom they are lh'chueu
The execution of William Kemmlcr is not the
first time that this city has been the centre oil
almost universal attention in consequence OF crime
and its punishment Years before kcmmlcr was
eyer heard of and years before he was born
grand fight was made here for the life OF
man whose crime, had he been sane, mcri'ed
Reminders fate. This time. however, it was not
q rich concern which made the hght simply 10
prevent one Of its machines from performing
portion of the work of applying the death pen
atty and no ll-paid lawyers fought for fees
alone 10 save the murderer from his fate; it was
ONLY lawyer and statesman OF known ABILITY
and character who. for no other reward than
the satisfaction that he was doing good ana
Just deed made long and arduous light against
greater odds than ever surrounded the hemmier
case
TIE FREEMAN MURDER CASE.
Middlc.oqcd men will remember the celebrated
Freeman murder trial indistnctly; men OF three
score years will remember il better, while the
young man Of to-day only knows OF II by read
ing selections from William II. Stewards power
full spcecl. or by hearing older men occasionally
discuss the case.
The Freeman murder trial was in its time the
most celebrated case record. and the part
which Mr. Seward took in it made him for awhile
the most intensely hated man in Central New
York
Freeman was colored man who had been un-
Justly convicted of robbery and he served a five
years sentence in Auburn Prison. During his
Imprisonment he was brutality treated by his
keepers, one Of whom hit him over the head
with club The blow such severe one
that Freeman was sick for time. and when
he recovered his entire nature seemed 10 be
centred upon one thing-rcvenge for his i'm
prisonment and suffering. At the expiration OF his
term the negro had an offer of a small sum Of
money the amount then given 10 discharged
convicts He refused TO take it, saying that he
would get his pay. This was in the spring Of
1876 few nights afterward the entire com
munity was shocked and Mortified by the news
of a brutal murder which had been committed
in little cottage on the shores of Owasco Lake.
An old farmer, Mr.. Van Nest, and his wife had
been murdered in cold blood by negro who had
obtained shelter with them in their little cottage
for the night Two other members of the family,
n married daughter and her husband, were ter
ribly cut and their death was momcntarily ex-
pected.
The negro had disappeared, but it was not diff
cult 10 trace him, and he found 80 be the
convict Freeman He was chased and captured
about fourteen miles from the place where he had
committed the decd that had made men usually
level-headed thirst for his death. When he was
brought back TO Auburn bowling mob followed
the Sherif's wagon in which the negro was taken
to the Van Nest cottage to be identified by the
dying man and woman. At the head of the mob
WAS a man who swung a rope high in the air. and
the cries Lynch him. Lynch him" made terror
stricken mothers hug their babies closer aud lock