The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-30
BRUCE'S STORY OF MURDER
He Tells How the Van Wormer Boys
Killed Their Uncle.
INTENDED A SURPRISE FOR HIM


Wearing Masks, and slew Him in His
Kitchep-Hs Fired Two Shots Only.
Hudson, n. Y.-At the trial Of Bur-
ton, Willis and Frederick n. Van
Wormer for the murder Of their uncle.
Peter A. Hallenbcck. the prosecution
played its final card by calling Harvey
Bruce. cousin of the Van Wormer
boys, who was jointly indicted with
them for the crime. The three prison
ers were not visibly affected when
Bruce appeared. except there Tas
look Of deep hatred in their, faces.
Bruce told his story in straightfor'
ward manner. Judge Cady fought hard
to keep out his testimony. Justice
Chester. however. allowed Bruce to go
on the stand. This Is. In part. his
confession:
II know ! am under indictment for
the murder Of Peter A. Hallcnbeck. l
am acquainted by sight with lmond
vener l was present at the store
when masks were bought. Willis Van
Wormer was with me. 1t was the
Monday before Christmas. Both or
US bought masks. Mine was plain
one. Willis had one with whiskers. /
went to Browns livery on December
"a. Burton Van WOrmer was with me.
Burton said he wanted to go to Stuy-
vesant and North Chatham. l said II
wasn't necessary to 20 to Stuyvesant.
Burton and l went after the horse. Bur
ton and his two brothers got In the
wagon: and so did / One Of the boys
nut three false faces In the wagon.
The fourth one was cloth one."
What was said by the occupants
before reaching Stuyvesant"
Il asked them why they were driv'
Ing that way when they wanted to
60 to North Chatham. Burton re.
piled. We're going down the line l
kept asking them where they were 60
ing. and finally they said they were
going to give Uncle Peter a surprise
I'VE passed the fair ground and
went over the hill through Hudson.
We went to a Greenport Church. Bur-
ton looked In the window. We were
there about four minutes. We got
back In the wagon an. drove to Hal.
lenbeck's barn. We put in two whips
and a robe Mt ...e church. and while
going to Hallenbeck's Fred said that
Charles Hallenbeck and wife and hired
man were In church. We took on our
oyercoats and turned them inside out
over undercOats and then put on the
false faces. Then We walked up the
rond and passed Hallenbeck's house;
went through fence and orchard. We
walked side by side and went to inc
back kitchen door,"
What was said by the defendants
before entering the back door?"
Burton told me to follow him and
then Frederick TO come next. Burton
went up OH the stoop and followed.
Fred stood back or me. Burton
, knocked on the door and Mr.. Hallen-
, beck opened the door. Burton pushed
him in and had 4 revolver In his left
hand. / had u revolver in my right
hand. Burton Immediately jumped In
the room and fired shot. / fired one
| shot In the ceiling anu one In the siding
Frederick then came In and began
firing My revolver was then taken
from my hand Willis came In and
fired. Burton grappled with Mr.. Hal
lenbeck while Fred vas firing. Fire
seemed to almost touch Mr.. Hallenbecl
| from the revolvPrs, he was SO close
l cannot tell how many shots were
fired. The shots were fired very rap
idly. Burton let 90 Of MIR. Hallenbecs
and went into the other room. saw
woman run across the room. Willis
WAS hiring ut Mr.. Hallenbeck at this
time. Fred left the room and Wills
came out Burton came running on,
and shouted. For God s sake, run
Well get our heads blowed on. He's
after his gun Outside noticed my
revolver lying on the steps and picked
il Up 1t was empty. We were in the
house minute and half.
When got OF the stoop l saw
Burton running to the barn and fol
lowed him. We Went TO where the
horse was tied. Willis and Frederick
were there, and the horse was ready tG
be driven. When We got to the woods
We changed our coats to the right side
| and took OF the masks. Burton said
thar before he got In the room he had
fired Willis said he had shot him II
the back. Fred said Hallenbeck didn',
get hit by the contents Of his ne
volver."
Bruce then told Of their returning
home, burning the masks, cleaning the
revOlvers and driving around the VII
! la.e He ia twenty yelrS old.