The record-union., 1897-11-09
Began In the Court of Oyer and Termlner
at Long Island City.
The Days Session Devoted to the
Accomplished With Surpris-
ingiy Little Trouble-Review OF
One Of the Most Sensational
Murders on Record.

NEW YORK, Nov. S.-SurprlslES
progress was made to-day in the trial
for murder of Martin Thorn in the
Queens County Court of Oyer and Ter
miner at Long Island City, and when
court adjourned the jury had been 'corn
pleted. It had been expected that the
obtaining of the jury would be iorg
and tedious process, owing to the wide
publicity that had been given to the
crime with which he is charged, and
the supposed prejudice against him.
The case, which is styled the People
VS. Martin Thorn. is based upon the
discovery in June last in East River and
Ogden's Woods, north of this city. of
portions of one human body. The head
was missing.
By a series of curious links in a chain
of circumstantial evidence, the portions
of the dismembered remains have been
identified by a number of witnesses as
the body of William Guldensuppe, a
rubber in a Turkish bath house in this
city.
Guldensuppe had not been at his work
for several days before the CHASTITY dis
coveries Of his supposed remains, nor
has he been seen since that time, UNI
less, as is alleged, he was seen in Ger
many by a certain Carl Peterson, Of
whom none appear to know except
counsel for the man who wcs put on
trial to-day for murder.
The postuate of the identity of the
corpse being conceded, the next thing 20
be done was TO look up Guidensuppe' 5
connections. and from them ascertain
if possible a. motive for his murder.
1t was easily ascertained that he lived
on terms of intimacy with Mrs. Angus
ia Mack, a midwife; that some time be
fore the disappearance of Guldensuppe
the pair had quarreled. and that in the
woman's fiat Guldensuppe had fought
with and beaten the man who had sup
planted him in his mistress affection
Martin Thorn, neighbor, who. smart
ing under the beating, was overheard
to threaten to get even with Gulden-
suppe.
Here then, were motives that might
have inspired a murder-a woman de
sirous Of being rid of discarded lover,
whose proximity might at any moment
become troublesome, and the success
full rival who had experienced the su-
perior prowess of his predecessor in the
woman's affection, and who might
again be made to suffer the pain and
humiliation of a beating.
The arrest of Mrs Mack was followed
a few days later by that of Thorn,
whose Whereabouts We're disclosed by
John Gotha, another barber and a fela :
tive of the accused by marriage. Gotha
has made the statement, upon which
the police rely to aid in Thorn's convic-
tion, that Thorn admitted his guilt to
him, and since Thorn has been confined.
two men who shaved him at different
times have told Of discriminating admis
sions by the accused
There have also been reports that
Mrs. Mack had virtually admitted her
guilt, but all of these statements are
more or less inconclusive
Briefly. it is alleged that Mrs. Mack
lured Guldensuppe to a cottage IN
Woodside, L. L. where she said she
was about TO establish a baby farm" !;
that in that cottage Thorn waylaid and
shot Guldensuppe, afterward severing
his head, dismembering his corpse and
disposing of the remains in various
ways.
In the trial Judge Wilmot a Smith
viii preside. District Attorney Youngs
viii conduct the prosecution, assisted
by ex-Surrogate August n. Weller and
George w. Davidson.
William F. Sowe and Joseph Moss
viii defend Martin Thorn. whose trial
Will precede that of Mrs. Mack. and
Emanuel Friend and w H Hirsch will
attend as counsel for the woman.
AT the opening of court the list of 200
names of special jurymen summoned
were read Then Sheriff Dohl was di-
rected to produce the prisoner. Thorn,
handcuffed to deputy sheriff. walked
briskly to the table at which his legal
advisers We're sitting. He was eleaniy
shaven and showed no signs Of ner-
yousness or apprehension.
Both sides We're prepared for the trial,
and as Thorn stood up and the Clerk
explained To him his right of challeng-
ing any Of the Jurors summoned. he
bent forward, listening TO every word.
When the Clerk had finished the prison