The Washington times., 1901-12-26
SHOT DOWN
AT HIS DOOR.
Farmer Murdered Near
CatSkiIl Station, N. 7.
SEVEN BULLETS IN HIS BODY.
Called Out Of Home by Assassins
and Fired On-Wife Also Shot At
Three or Four Men in the Party
That Did the Killing No Motive
Known.

HUDSON. Y. Y. Dec. 25.--A murder. a
cold blooded as ever was committed tool
place in the town of Greenport. abou
four miles south Of this city. and little
over a mile from Catskill station. las
night. the victim being Peter A. Hallen.
beck. well-to-do farmer of the town.
ship, aged ifty-ive years.
Lived with His Brother.
Peter and his brother Charles lived to.
gether with their wives. Last night the
household, with the exception OF Peter
his mother and wife, left the house about
Z O'Clock TO attend the Christmas tree ex-
ercises at the country church situated
less than a quarter of q mile from theii
home. While they were there seven bull
lets were fired into the brother and he
was instantly killed.
Whether three or four men we're in the
party is a matter OF question. but at
least three opened fire upon him as he
went 10 the door in response to their
knocking One bullet pierced his lungs,
another entered his heart. one went
through his kidneys, and others in his
back, arm. and head.
R~ncLed for Weapon.
As the frst shot struck him he reached
for gun close to the door. but bullet
struck his arm as he reached for it. His
wife sprang TO her feet and the bullets Of
the party were directed toward her.
She and her mother fed to an upper
room OF the house. leaving Hallepbeck
dead on the floor.
So far the physicians and sheriff have
or the walls Of the room where the muir
der was committed. That the murder was
the outcome of feeling of revenge or n
feud seems certain. Not a thing was
taken from the premises and the murder
ers Immediately escaped in the carriage
in which they drove up to the house. Mrs.
Hsllenbeck says there were six in the
party; that they were masked and had
their overcoats turned inside out.
Seen Driving Away.
Louis Elting. who heard the reports Of
the pistols. saw three men driving away
as he came up. but did not stop them.
The detectives found the footprints OF
beck was kindly disposed man, who was
not known TO have an enemy. It was at
first thought to have been the work Of
chicken marauders who have been work
ing in this section. but this view was
quickly dispelled upon Investigation.
Tracks OF the same size as those about
The house were found beneata ene OF the
windows OF The church. indicating that
the murderers npd peered into the church
to see whether the intended victim was
there.
Four Arrests siade.
In Hudson jail tonight four young men
are lodged. charged with the murder of
HaIlenbcck Tie Oldest of them is aged
twenty-three years. The youngest is
e'7"' eivfaen. All OF them are indirectly
t-of rf fier- i-yel n-a. .ae zeueEi
a- rai "a lee Uo-l.r
.er fler ecl rao hsd s.a.-.
w'v and BAD less
a.-.eaEe go he farm .-.
ny si4s. - 1cr. ne tsa-
the boys, and dispossesseG her. and the
family moved TO Kinderhook, twenty miles |
away.
According to the sheriff and She police 1
who arrested the boys this dispo.sesslon /
supplied the motive for the murder.
Belief in Their Innocence.
But the people Of this part Of the u idson l
Valley recall that, less than a year ago.
when these same boys we're threatened !
with prosecution for raids on a chicken |
yard. Peter Halienbeck had interceded for |
them, asserted their innocence most |
earnestly. ana had paid for the chickers to |
avoid all possibility OF prosecution
Recalling these things. the peopic say |
that human ingratitude could not 20 SO |
Tar. ana that the boys must be innocent