New-York tribune., 1908-05-17
HUNT SLAYER OF THREE
ARMED POSSES IN JERSEY.
Rough Rider, Wife and SerUant
Shot IN Home Near Mata1can.

/ Matawan, n. J., May Is (SpeciaD.-Armed
posses are securing Monmouth County tonight
for the murderer of William B. Shepherd. the
owner of the Marlboro squad farm, four miles
from here: his wife Josephine, and Jennie
Bendy a servant who were shot at the farm
early this morning.
Shepherd was a member of the Rough Riders
during the Spanish-American War. The weapon
used is believed to have been Winchester re-
peating shotgun owned by Shepherd.
1t is believed that the women were shot first
and that Shepherd slain he was rushing
downstairs, having been alarmed by the noise
of the shooting
The seven-months-olds girl baby, asleep on the
second floor of the house. was unharmed- The
apparent motive for the crime robbery. al
though desire for revenge may have actuated
the murderer.
The police believe the murder committed
by Joe Huron. Hungarian farmland who had
worked for Shepherd but disappeared about two
days ago Neighbors said he a surly fell
low and that Shepherd had so much trouble
with him that he intended to discharge him,
but Huron disappeared.
A man answering the description of the farm
laborer was at o'clock this morning by
Joseph Miller and Mrs. Charles Strong coming
from the Shepherd place. He was crossing the
fields at lively rate, and when last seen was
going in the direction of Marlboro.
The house was ransacked from top to bottom.
Bureau drawers were pulled out and the contents
scattered about the floor. Trunks had been
emptied of articles. evidently in a search for
monea.
Frank Zastera- a young Pole who has been
working on the farm only two days carried the
first news of the crime to neighboring farm
house. He is now under surveillance. A pecul-
tor hos HI Ia
said he claimed to have power to foreteIl future
happenings. and that 'Mr. Shepherd had told
a friend the young man had predicted that
within two weeks two would come to the
farm and murder all the members Of the house
hold.
Zastera said that he began his days work at
) o'clock this morning and that he was engaged
outside until o'clock, when he returned to the
house On entering he his employer and
the latters wife lying dead on the floor. He
ran to the home of William Wall. neghbor
with the news. and the latter accompanied him
back to the Shepherd farm
Zastera said he heard shooting IN the
direction of the farmhouse. and the police
think this peculiar, as Frank Mcdowell, another
neighbor said that while on a bird shooting ex-
pedition. between 5 and o'clock this morning.
he heard firing in the direction Of the Shepherd
home but paid no attention to it. thinking
some one was out shooting, like himself.
The body of Mrs. Shepherd found in the
front hallway, about two feet from the bottom
of the stairs. 1t clad only in a nightdresS.
Near her lay baby's milk bottle 1t was evi-
dent that she had gone downstairs to get milk
for her baby and returning to her bedroom
when fred upon. The first charge apparently
struck her on the left hip. the bullet passing
into the abdomen After she fell, it is believed.
second shot fired at her, which tore
away the right side of her face.
The body of Shepherd lay across that of his
wife. He was fully dressed. 1t is believed he
was shot when half way down the stairs. This
theory is supported by the bloodstains on the
steps He shot in the right side and in
the neck. Then he probably fell down the stairs
and across his wife's body
There are two connected kitchens in the
house. and three steps lead from the main
kitchen to the smaller Jennie Bendy'
body was found at the foot of these steps. She
was shot through the heart as she was about to
enter the smaller kitchen
Coroner Cravatt OF Freehold. took charge Of
the bodies of the victims. Sheriff c. Asa Fran
els and Prosecutor Henry NJ Nevins were in
formed and at once set to work to run down the
murderer.
Shepherd had four thousand pigeons and
large number of fancy poultry on his farm and
considered prosperous. He came TO TINS
section three years ago from New York City
and started in BUSINESS dealer in squads
and fancy poultry. He said to have had
the financial backing of a Philadelphia capital
ist. Shepherd was thirty-f1ve years of age and
his wife was three years younger. Jennie
Bendy was twenty-seven years old. Her home
was in Matawan
Frank Crooks, farm hand. arrested near
Tennent to-day. Blood stains his coat and
shirt sleeves, he said, were from killing chick
ems These garments were sent to a chemist
for examination. Crooks will be held until the
fnquest. Warden Cashion. of the county Jail.
believes Crooks innocent. He says the prisoner
went near the scene of the murder through
curiosity.
Coroner Cravatt and jury visited the
shepherd home this afternoon After view
ing the bodies the coroner announced that an
inquest would be held in the town hall at MARI
boro at I o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
John r Snedecker. chief Of police of Atlantic
Highlands reached the Shepherd farm with
two bloodhounds this afternoon. The hounds
soon struck trail. which they followed for
bout a quarter of a mile. They were started
sfresh six or seven times, but after each at
tempt they struck the same trail and lost it.