The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-13
MAN WHO KNEW MARY ROGERS.
Death OF Frederick A. RidabocE. y Witness In
the Famous Murder Case.

the Famous Murder Case.
The death OF Frederick A. Ridabock yesterday
at his home, III West Thirteenth street, recalls
again the story OF the mysterious murder of
Mary Rogers in 1s41. which was the foundation
Of Edgar Allan Poe's famous story. The Mys-
terry OF Marie Roget"
Mr.. Ridabock was 81 years old. He was born
in New York, near Thomas street and Broad
way, where Mary Rogers was employed because
Of her beauty to draw trade to John Anderson's
cigar store. Sixty years ago he Joined the Fire De-
partment, which was then u volunteer orgAniza-
ton. He was q member OF Engine Company
81 and was one OF the organizers OF old Friendship
Hook and Ladder Company, IL. He was an
enthusiastic fireman up to the time that the
paid Fire Department was organized In 1865.
At the time of his death he was tho oldest men,
Der of the Exempt Ffremen's Association. Of
which he was a trustee. He was also q member
and a trustee Of the Volunteer Fireman's Assoc
citation, one OF the oldest members and Treasurer
of the Hoboken Turtle Club, a member OF the
81. Nicholas Society and Of the Iroquols Club:
General Committee and the Treasurer of the
Mr.. Ridabock was one Of the witnesses ex-
amined by the police In the Mary Rogers case.
f fbSt i Ss sS 3. t t6s I Este saFvi women Of tb Ssi Wi {esssesi IL
that case. He knew Mary Rogers. who was
famous for her beauty. and was the pet Of all tho
PaIIoho u Sohh 1870 ~ to1h -'c"
York was a small town. and Thomas street was
uptown. Mary disappeared from the cigar store
IN July OF, that year.. and four days
later her body was found floating. In
the Hudson River near tho Sibyl's Cave,
OF Castle Point. Hoboken. She had
been murdered and frightfully disigured. For
months afterward the murder filled the papers
Of the city. AL the available police force was
put on 1t and hundreds Of amateur and private
detectives. Dozens of arrests were made. but
the prisoners were discharged almost as soon
as arrested. The one story hat had any cor
roboration was that the girl had been seen cross
ing the river In a boat with six rough-looking
men, and had disappeared with these men in the
woods laughing and talking. This story was
told by three men. But 1t was never certain
that she was the woman seen. and not ono Of
the men was ever found. She was engaged to be
married to Daniel Payne, who boarded at her
mothers house in Nassau street. He was ono
of the men arrested for her murder. She had
been seen with a tall man who wore q black
mustache. and every tall man with o black mus
tache was under suspicion. The interest In her
case was Just dying out when some children
found In the woods near tho river q white petit
coat, u silk scarf. n parasol. and q linen hand
kerchief marked with the initials u. Il. There
was every evidence OF there having been q fierce
struggle on the spot. A few days after this
Daniel Payne. the girls betrothed, went TO the
spot and committed suicide. Poe wrote his
famous story about tho murder In the October
following, and made tho case famous the world
over. Mr.. Ridabock often told the story Of the
murder.