Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-01-07
WOMANS FUNERAL STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE DEATH.
Believe Mrs. Wolfe
Scared to Death
By Men.
HOLD AUTOPSY.


eighty years old, who died of fright
and exposure, near Cheesequake, as
told in the South Amboy columns of
the NEWS Saturday, was not held
yesterday, as announced, being held
up by order of Prosecutor Berdine
until an autopsy could be performed
to ascertain the exact cause of death.
In the meantime, Detective Richard
A. Peltier has investigated the cir
cumstances surrounding the case, and
yesterday arrested Spencer Berdine,
of CheeseqIake, on charge of man
slaughter, accusing him of being i'm
plicated in the matter. The detective
is also looking for Harry Kenniff,
who is said to have been associated
with Berdine, but who has disap-
peared, having shipped as deckhand
on the clay scow Red Bird, which is
now at Brooklyn. The Brooklyn au-
thorities have been notified, and his
arrest is expected today.
Detective Peltier was only assigned
to the case yesterday and within a
few hours he had practically COM
plete story of the affair and one ar
rest was made.
The story of the woman's death
first appeared in the NEWS Friday.
DR.. A. j. Jackson, of Matawan, was
the physician summoned. He said
the woman died of apoplexy and sum-
moned Stillwell & Mason, undertake
ers, of South Amboy, to take charge
of the body. Mr. Mason, when he
heard some of the details of the case,
notified Coroner Beekman who, after
viewing the body and inquiring into
the circumstances surrounding the
case, gave the undertaken permission
to proceed with the interment The
arrangements were made for yester-
day afternoon. In the meantime
someone had notified Prosecutor
Berdine of the case and he asked
Detective Peltier to investigate.
Peltier's Story.
The facts learned by Peltier, which
have led to the arrest of one man and
the delay of the funeral, are to the
effect that a gang of hoodlums have
been in the habit of annoying Mrs.
Wolfe for long time. She had a
son, Johnson Wolfe, who frequently
became intoxicated. On the night in
question two boys, John Mulcheski
and Louis Schulmaster, found the
son lying in the road, drunk. They
proceeded to take him to the home
of his mother. They were Joined by
Spencer Bendine and Harry Kenniff,
who went along, as they said, to
"have some fun with the old woman"
The fellows created great deal OF
noise and raped loudly on the door
to arouse Mrs. Wolfe. When she
opened it to admit her son, Berdine
and Kenniff, 1t is declared, started to
torment her and she picked up a.
bucket to defend herself. They then
drove her from the house, according
to Detective Peltier, and chased her
down the road.
Glad In Night Clothing.
She was clad only in her night
clothing. She ran screaming to the
home of Amos Bovine, with the men
after her. There is an incline lead
ing up to the house and as she start
ed up this she fell and died within
short time.
Miss Olive. Bovine, a daughter of
Amos Bovine, had been sitting up late
reading. She says, so Detective Pei
tier states, that she heard the men go
by on the way to Mrs. Wolfe's home,
shouting and laughing and later she
heard the old woman scream and
looking out saw her running toward
the house. The moon was shining
and she noticed the men, one of
whom she declares, answers the de-
scription of Berdine.
The Bownes went out to pick up
Mrs. Wolfe and called to the men to
help, but they passed on without
needing.
Autopsy Tomorrow.
1t is believed the attack of apo
plexy was brought on by fright. The
autopsy will be held at Stillwell &
Mason's morgue, tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock.
Mrs. Wolfe has three daughters
besides the son already mentioned
They are Mrs. Ida Kingsinger, of New
Dorp: Mrs. Dora Inman. of South
Amboy and Mrs. Adaline Bogert, of
Cliffwood.
The prompt and efficient service on
the part of Detective Peltier is being
favorably commented upon about
Cheesequake where the people are
glad the rough gang has at last got
itself where the courts can break it
up.