The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-05-22
STEVENS AND
HIS PISTOL
Makes Him 4 Candidate for
the GalIows for Killing
Van BIarconl.
CAUSE, RUM AND JEALOUSY

Morris county has again been dis
graced with murder within her bor-
ers. this time not by an ignorant
foreigner, but by alife long resident OF
Roxbury township of old American
stock. The reason, jealousy inflamed
by rum. AS a result, man utterly
unknown to the murderer, who came
into the county with his wife and two
daughters, eight and twelve years Of
age, is shot within two hours from
the time he arrives, in an attempt to
stop fight and dies the next morn
ing.
The shooting took place at the home
of George Claus on the macadam road
between Landing and Port Morris.
The murderer is Henry Stevens and
the murdered man, James Van Blar-
com, a builder of 226 North goth street,
East Orange.
Stevens left his wife and nine
months old baby on the End Of April.
she going to her stepfather in Port
Morris, while Stevens returned to his
parents home near there. On Satur-
day afternoon Mrs. Stevens went to
the house of George Claus, whose wife
is an aunt of Stevens. While there
the baby was taken sick and the
Claus's told her to stay over night.
She had gone TO bed in a second story
room when her husband who had been
told bv his sister that his wife was at
her aunt's went to the house and up
braided Claus for harboring his wife,
threatening to shot. Claus ordered
him out of the house. Soon after
Charles Sickles came along. He lived
with his parents within hundred
feet of the Claus house and had since
small boy frequently visited there.
Sickels went in the Claus house and
Stevens followed asking him to 60 to
Shippingport to the dance. This he
refused to do, whereupon Stevens
turned on him and beat him. Claus
hurried for Sickle's father, Robert
Sickles, who cameS followed by his
wife, Van Blarcom and his wife. On
their arrival Mrs. Sickles threatened
to have Stevens arrested for beating
her. son and he replied that he was not
afraid of arrest or State prison. Sick
els then accused him of owing him five
dollars At thai Stevens stopped
beating Charles Sickles and started
toward the father. Van Blarcom then
stepped in and raising his hand said
None of that. 8 Stevens replied
s You are looking for trouble are you,
/ am looking for revenge, and draw
ing a thirty-two calibre revolver fired.
He stood within four feet of the VIC
tim and the shot struck over Van
Blarcom's left eye. He fell. Stevens
then pointed toward his aunt, Mrs.
Claus, who had returned from the
Passaic General Hospital only the day
before and previous to this had nearly
tainted, her husband helping her to a
chair. The elder Sickles struck Stevens
with his cane and drew his attention,
while the younger Sickels seized his
arms. Then all three men bore him to
the floor. Claus ran to the hotel and
telepnoned for the Netcong marshal,
then hurried back and assisted in hold
ing Stevens until the officer and JUS
tice Eaton, together with DR.. Miller
could get there.
Some time after this Mrs. Stevens
brother, Coon Herdman put in an ap-
pearance and nearly killed the MUIR
derer.
Stevens was taken to Netcong lock-
up and on Sunday morning was
brought to Morristown on charge of
felonious assault, which later was
changed to murder, Van Blarcom dy-
ing at quarter to eleven Sunday morn
ing without regaining consciousness.
The coroner was called and jury
viewed the remains of the murdered
man on Sunday.
Stevens when be worked, which was
not often. was teamster The elder
Sickles fished and did other work
around the lake and the younger Sick
els was also employed about the lake.
Claus is railroad man.
Prosecutor Rathbun spent most Of
Sunday at the scene of the murder.
1t is the third during his three years
term Of office.
Morristowp Pony show.
a. III l.z