Year: 1873

The telegraph has already briefly re-
ported the murder and robbery of a de-
fenceless old couple at Linden, near Will
Transport, Pa, on Tuesday evening, July
22nd. A man named Nelson f. Wade,
who had been previously connected and
imprisoned for robbery, has been arrested
for the crime and has made % confession
Of his guilt.


The Willlamsport Gazette of Friday
gives the following details Of the horrible
affair:


It seems that Wade had learned of
their having considerable money In their
possession, and had for some time con-
templated an attempt 10 secure II. A
short time ago he made overtures to
young Hamlet Van Norce, son of Mr..
John Van NOrce, the well-known black
smith of this city, trying to Induce the
young man to accompany him in his
prospective errand Of plHnder and death
Young Van Voree was employed with Il.
l.. Estabrooks, at the Beaver Mills, aud
was there approached by Wade, who
told him he was foolish for working,
that he (Wade) knew where they could
get hold of lots of money and live like
gentlemen without work. The young
man very prudentlY declined to engage in
the promising venture. Wade had been
after him frequently before, calling sew
eral times at his fathers shop. On one
of these calls, Mr.. Van NOrce, Senior
saw the man, and the latter wished Il
get a situation, but was informed by Mr.,
| V. that he would not have him about
II was not known TO Mr.. Van VorcG
what Wade's business was with his son,
/ as this was before he made the PROPOSE
tion to the youHg man.


By Wade's statement, made yesterday,
ii Is shown that lie finally decided to 20
alone on the fatal expedition. He arrived
at the place sometime before dark, and
shortly after O'Clock approached the
house with his club. The impression Is
that he designed entering the house while
the old folks were out milking, but tho
noise made by the dogs prevented that
course. lie then entered the house and
engaged in conversation with the old gen
tlemen. He asked Mcbride for drink
of milk, and was told to go to the cellar
for il, where the old woman was. Ii
seems that the old lady's manner dis
pleased Wade somewhat. When lie anked
her for the milk, she inquired if he had
the money for il. II should be stated
here that both the old people knew Wade
baying seen him before, aud we're suspi.
cious that his visit bodcd no good. The
old lady was feeble, having been drawn
somewhat out of shape by rheumatism
Wade, in relating the circumstances, Illus.
trates in a grotesque manner the move
ments of the old lady in turning up tht
side of her face when talking to him.


When he returned from the cellar th'
old man had locked the door Of the house
He opened 1t slightly, however, and Wadi
forced his way in. The old man resisteI
his entrance and Wade knocked hiu
down with his fist. The dog made q
show of fight and ii was knocked down
After striking the old man frequently
with his club he returned to the cellar anC
dispatched the old lady with the sam
weapon. The old man who is of power
full frame seems to have been hard c,
master, for when Wade came back iron
the cellar again be was trying to g Il up
Wade gave him another blow with tn
club and then proceeded to rifle the ches
up stairs. When asked In The jail VIII
he did not take the small trunk contain
ing the money along he replied that n
two men could have carried it. IL
claimed that he made three trips back t
the house during the night after the bag
sl money. Before taking away u bag, b
would cut hole in il to see if II wa
was gold or silver. Upon one OF his rC
turn trips he found the old man trying !
get up, aud struck him another blo'
which Quieted him again.


He gave a small white handled knife
the policeman, with which he said he ha


cut the club.