Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Tue May 13, 1884
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
--The death of Mrs. Harriet ALLEN occurred at her home in Greece yesterday
afternoon at the age of sixty-eight years. The funeral services will be held at
the house to-morrow afternoon at two o'clock.
--Mrs. Ada D. A. FISK, died at the residence of her brother, Dr. Allan B. CAR_,
36 North Clinton street, yesterday afternoon. The deceased was forty-two years
of age and was the widow of the late Captain R. R. FISK. Rev. Dr. PLATT will
conduct the funeral services at half-past four o'clock this afternoon. The
remains will be taken to Trenton, N. J., for burial.
--Mrs. Mary HUBER died at her home, 116 Caroline street, yesterday, at the age
of thirty-eight years. The funeral occurs at the house at three o'clock this
afternoon.
--The funeral of Miss Theresa CANNON took place from the Cathedral this morning,
and was largely attended. The remains were encased in an elegant white casket
which was covered with choice floral offerings. High Mass was sung. The bearers
were Messrs. MONKS, MADDEN, ERNST, McWE_NEY, GAFFNEY and H_NE.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Democrat & Chronicle
May 18, 1884
FUNERAL NOTES
Alfred G. HIXSON, of No. 9 Manhattan street, died early this morning.
The funerals of Frank A. WOLCOTT, Mrs. Barbara HAUSER and Joseph SELLER occurred yesterday.
The funeral of the late Cornelius DUFFY, aged 39(?), will be held from St. Marys church at 9 o'clock to-morrow
morning.
The funeral of Elizabeth HITZFIELD, aged 89, will take place at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning from St. Michaels church.
At 9 o'clock this morning, from Saint Boniface church will be held the funeral of Antoma MYERS, of 310 North street.
A child of B. STEEFEL, of 297 Central avenue, died yesterday. The funeral will be held from the house at 2:30 o'clock
this afternoon.
The funeral of Gottlobine MEYER, who died on Friday at the City hospital, will take place from that institution
at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The funeral of Mrs. Ann SKUSE will take place from No. 111 Ontario street at 3:30 o'clock and from Christ church
at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Mrs. Ellen SLOCUM, of 80 South St. Paul street, died yesterday, aged 44. The funeral will be held at 5 o'clock
this afternoon from the house.
The funeral of the child of Albert GRESSENS, of 37 Henry street, who died yesterday, will take place at 2 o'clock
this afternoon from the house.
The obsequies of the late Cornelius J. DUFFY will occur to-morrow morning from his late residence, 77 South avenue,
at 8:30 o'clock, and from St. Mary's church at 9 o'clock.
Miss Hattie HOEFNER, a sister-in-law of Henry BARTHOLOMAY, died yesterday at No. 50 East Main street. The funeral
will be held from Mr. BARTHOLOMAY'S residence on St Paul street at 9 o'clock Monday morning.
Mrs. Naomi HALSTEAD, aged 63, died yesterday at the residence of her son-in-law on Madison street. A short service
will be held at the house at 8 o'clock to-morrow, after which the remains will be taken to Syracuse for interment.
Yesterday occurred the death of Mrs. Valentine SANDERS at the age of 27 years. The deceased was the daughter of
George A. HETZLER and died at her residence on Vienna street. The funeral will be held from St. Josephs church
at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Fri May 30, 1884
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
-A telegram from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was received yesterday by J. H. BENNETT
announcing the death of Mrs. J. W. DREW, formerly of this city at the time her
husband was eastern passenger agent for the Grand Trunk road.
-The funeral of James DALTON will be held at the house at 8:30 o'clock to-morrow
and at the Cathedral at 9 o'clock.
-The funeral of Maurice CARROLL was held from the Cathedral at 9 o'clock to-day.
-Mrs. Mary E. FOOTE, wife of Henry H. FOOTE, of 174 Lyell avenue, died yesterday
afternoon, aged 38 years. The funeral services will be held from the house at 10
a.m. Saturday, and the remains will be taken to Parma Center for interment.
-Mrs. Ann M. CRAMER, of 72 Whitney street, died yesterday at the age of 90
years. The funeral will be held to-morrow morning at 8:30 o'clock at SS. Peter
and Paul's church.
-The death of Robert BLACK, of 344 State street, occurred yesterday. He was 62
years of age.
-An infant son of Gerret KAVANAUGH, of Sherman street, died yesterday afternoon
an illness of only a few hours.
-The funeral of Mrs. Philip WEIDER was held this morning from St. Boniface
church; also the funeral of the child of Charles CRAIG, of Monroe avenue.
-The death of Mrs. Hannah REYNOLDS, wife of Gilbert REYNOLDS, of Pittsford, who
died on the 28th, removes another old pioneer who settled in Pittsford in 1834,
having been married at her native place, Salem, Westchester Co., in 1814 to her
husband, who survives her and is 92 years old. Of their ten children six are
still living, viz.: A. B. REYNOLDS, of Orleans county; Mrs. N. R. WELCH; of
Pittsford; Mrs. Ralph VAN VOORHIS, of Spencerport; Mrs. Ira LOUGHBOROUGH, of
Pittsford; Wesley REYNOLDS, of Perinton, and A. N. REYNOLDS, of Boston, Mass.
The funeral will be held at the residence on Saturday at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon.
-Samuel L. CRUMP died at his son's, R. O. CRUMP, at Bay City, Mich., yesterday
morning, of pneumonia. He left Pittsford four weeks ago to visit his son, and
was taken sick on Sunday last. Deceased had lived in Pittsford for forty-two
years, and was highly respected as a citizen. His age was ?7 years. His remains
arrived this morning at eight o'clock. He leaves a wife and eight children, who
are: R. O. CRUMP, of Bay City; S, g. CRUMP, of Pittsford; A. L. CRUMP, of
Pittsford; W. J. CRUMP, of Pittsford; Mrs. Eve TIFFANY, of Pittsford; Miss Ida
CRUMP, of Pittsford; Walter CRUMP, of Pittsford; Ensing CRUMP, of Pittsford. The
funeral will be held at the house on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock.
*
SUICIDE BY HANGING
Mrs. J. J. White, of West Walworth, Ends Her Life At Fairport
Fairport, May 30 - Mrs. J. J. WHITE, of West Walworth, committed
suicide by hanging at the home of Mr. ROSSGETT, in this village, this morning,
where she was visiting. Mrs. WHITE was about fifty years of age, and is said to
have been insane. Her husband is a traveling agent for an agricultural implement
manufactory at Auburn. Coroner SHARPE has been telegraphed for.
*
FIRE AT WATERLOO
The Destruction an Exploded Lamp Caused This Morning.
Waterloo, N. Y., May 30 - An exploded lamp caused the complete
destruction of Thomas NEALON's house on Stork street at 1:30 o'clock this
morning. The loss is partly covered by insurance. All the family clothing,
bedding, &c., were burned. The fire department arrived late and bunglingly
destroyed more than they saved.
*
HE BORROWED TEN DOLLARS
At 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon William MITCHELL, an elderly man
of Lindsay, Canada, alighted from a Central train at the depot in this city, and
found that he had to wait some time before the train he wanted would start. A
young man accosted Mr. MITCHELL and asked him about his friends at home. The
sharper finally made friends with Mr. MITCHELL and they went out for a walk
together. On Water street, south of Mumford street, the young man excused
himself, stepped into a store, returned, and asked Mr. MITCHELL if he would not
loan him $10, saying that he had nothing but $100 bill, which couldn't be
changed. The young man has not since been seen, and Mr. MITCHELL is $10 worse
off. Detective KAVANAGE is looking for the confidence shark.
*
PERSONAL
-William AVANS and Miss Maria LOENES, were united in marriage by the Rev. A.
RECHTER last evening, at the residence of the bride's parents on Sullivan place.
-John A. RUSSELL, formerly connected with the __ Department of the Union, now
with the Elmira Advertiser, is in town visiting friends.
-W. W. SHER_R left for Boston last night and will sail for Labrador Saturday
morning. He is interested in a mica mine there.
-Rev. John W. ELLIS, of Los Angeles, California, is in Rochester, the guest of
Mr. George McALLISTER, on Plymouth avenue. The Rev. gentleman is on his return
from the General Presbyterian Assembly at Saratoga and will remain here a few
days.
*
KILLED ON THE ERIE ROAD
Train 17 on the Erie road struck and killed John BROWN yesterday afternoon, as
he was lying on the track in an intoxicated condition, between Campbelltown and
Savona. The engine crushed his skull. He was taken to Savona where he died about
7 o'clock in the evening. He was a barber, aged 45 years, and for a time worked
in a shop on St. Paul street, in this city.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Sat May 31, 1884
HORROR! HORROR!!
Albany
Express, May _
A Mother Cuts the Throats and Kills Four of Her Children!
Then Drags Her Eldest Daughter and Herself Before a Central Railroad Train!
And Both Are Mangled And Cut To Pieces!
All on Account of a Quarrel Over a Few Paltry Dollars!
It was a bloody deed that summoned the police to the little
frame dwelling, No. 473 Third street last night, and no sooner had the
alarm that a woman had murdered her children been spread than crowds of people
from the vicinity gathered in groups around the premises, eager to obtain a
glimpse of the four __ ones, who lay dead in their own blood. The work of the
razor crimsoned with the gory of those innocent ones was complete. It was a
heart renching scene, the details of which have never before been presented to
our readers. Never before has such a scene been witnessed as that of last night.
The sudden transition from life to death by the hands of a _naula_ mother and
the destruction of the life of that mother __ throwing herself under a moving
railroad train, is appauling, and brings with it a pang of sorrow not easily
removed by the now heart-stricken father and relatives.
History of the Tragedy
At a quarter past ten o'clock last night a man, hatless and
coatless and breathless with excitement, rushed into the Fifth precinct station
house and to Captain SAUER and Sergeant LAGRANGE, who were seated in the office,
screamed out that a child's throat had been cut in third street and asked the
immediate aid of the police. Both officers, in company with the man, who gave
his name as Henry BROOKS, went to the house of Christopher SCAEFER at No. 473
Third street, where instead of one tragedy as at first reported a quadruple one
was revealed to their gaze. The news spread like wildfire and in a short time
the house was surrounded on the outside, while a curious throng filled the
interior. On the entrance of the police a horrible sight was presented.
The house, a story and a half in height, stands on Third street,
three doors above Ontario, and is occupied by Christopher SCAEFER, a blacksmith,
in the principal floor and in that above by a widow woman named MILLER. The
family of SCAEFER, up to last evening, composed himself, his wife Caroline, 33
years of age, and five children, Mary, 9 years old; Henry, 7; Annie, 5; John, 3,
and Willie, a baby, 9 months old. The rooms in which the tragedy occurred
consisted of a front and back room, used as a kitchen, leading from which was a
bedroom to the west; between the front and back room was a bed used by SCAEFER
and his daughter Annie, the wife, with the other four children, occupying the
bedroom off the kitchen. When Captain SAUER and Sergeant LAGRANGE reached the
house they found SCAEFER pacing up and down the floor of the kitchen, weeping
and wringing his hands, and in answer to their questions pointed to a cradle
standing in the southwest corner of the kitchen and then to the bedroom of his
wife. Going to the cradle the officers were horror stricken at beholding the
infant lying within, its throat cut from ear to ear, the little head hanging by
a shred of flesh. But a more fearful sight than that was presented to them when
the bedroom was entered. There on the bed revealed by the fitful glare from a
lantern, lay the bodies of Henry, Annie and John, the heads of all being nearly
decapitated. John, the elder, lay across the foot of the bed on his left side, a
ghastly gash across the throat, Annie and Henry being at the head, the former
lying on her back, her little hand folded across her the breast, while from a
gaping wound extending across the throat the blood was flowing and the windpipe
exposed to view. The body of Henry lay on his left side, the left hand under the
ch__, his throat being cut, all betokening they had been murdered while
sleeping, no trace of a __ or a struggle being visible on their dead faces. On
SCAEFER being asked by the police how the frightful act had been committed he
said by the mother, who had disappeared with the eldest child, Mary, he stating
it was the out_o_ of a quarrel between himself and wife over a bank book in the
afternoon.
The cold-blooded crime had been performed with some sharp
weapon, and on making a search a razor belonging to SCAEFER was found missing
from its accustomed place, and there existed no doubt that with this the
innocent had been murdered. SCAEFER, as will be seen by his statements below,
left the house at half-past seven, after the quarrel with his wife, his children
at the time playing about the house, the infant laying asleep in the cradle.
It will never be known at what hour the fearful acts were
done, but the supposition is that Mrs. SCAEFER, after her husband's departure,
stood brooding over the loss of the bank book, her husband's anger and the blow
he had struck her. No doubt, she imagined, since the bank-officers had informed
her the money could not be drawn without it, that their statement was true, and
as she was a woman of violent passion she became for the time momentarily
insane, and seizing the razor began the slaughter, which, on being completed,
she with her eldest daughter fled from the house.
When found the bodies were still warm, and a hope that life
still existed a messenger was immediately dispatched for Dr. STARKWEATHER, who
almost immediately responded. One glance was sufficient for the physician, and
he pronounced them dead, in his opinion death having ensued some time before.
Coroner SCUTLY was notified, and after viewing the remains, Undertaker DEGAN
took charge of them and will prepare them for burial.
The Search For The Murderess
As soon as the enormity of the crime had been learned and
that the murderess had disappeared with the child Mary; Captain SAUER procured
lanterns and the entire force of the Fifth precinct, were detailed to search for
them. The fields in the neighborhood were scoured without a trace being
discovered, while officers patrolled the entire western section of the city in
hopes of finding them. Officer Nicholas ___ and Special Officer BROW_ of West
Albany, took the Central railroad tracks and at half-past eleven o'clock, while
passing down near the Black Rock out about half a mile from the scene of the
tragedy, in a direct line from the house, Officer ___ saw a dark object lying
across the _-passenger track and both men quickened their steps to reach it,
their search being rewarded by finding the body of Mrs. SCAEFER lying directly
across the track, the head lying across one rail and the feet over the other.
As they stooped to pick it up a plaintive moan was heard
about six feet away, and on going in the direction of the sound they found the
child Mary, who lay about two feet from the rails. As they approached the little
one raised herself and moaned: "Oh, take me home; I want to go home."
She was picked up tenderly by the officers, who made an investigation and found
that the left foot was severed at the ankle; also the left arm {next few lines
are blurred} the officers said she could not get away from her mother, who threw
herself before the cars, and that the locomotive struck her the child and she
was thrown from the tracks, her left foot and arm in the falling across the
rail. In the meantime officers HEMPSTEAD and BRENNAN had arrived when the child
was taken by them to St. Peter's Hospital and placed under the influence of _piates.
She cannot recover.
After the child had been cared for, the attentions of the
officers was turned to the body of Mrs. SCAEFER. She was fearfully, mangled, the
head being severed from the trunk and both legs amputated, one at the ankle and
the other below the knee; the left forearm was also gone.
A door was procured, the remains placed thereon and word sent
to the fifth precinct station house. Officer WHISH, with SCAEFER'S wagon,
started for the body, and in a short time it was brought to the house she had so
recently made so desolate.
It is supposed the bloody deeds were committed between nine
and ten o'clock after the children had been undressed and asleep they being
found in their night clothing. After the commission of the crime she left with
the eldest child through the back door, and taking a path passing behind the
reservoir, fled to the railroad and awaited the coming of the train that leaves
the Union depot for the west at 10:20, before which she threw herself and child.
Mrs. SCAEFER was 33 years of age and bore an excellent
reputation among her neighbors, her only failing, as expressed by her husband,
being the owner of a "bad tongue."
The Father's Statement
The father on being questioned stated he was born in Germany
forty-five years ago, and was married in that country to Louise HA__MAN eighteen
years ago, and six years after his marriage came to the United States and
settled in Schenectady. He then obtained work at West Albany at his trade of
blacksmith. One year after he arrived his wife died, leaving him a daughter now
seventeen years of age, employed as a domestic in the family of John JONES on
Clinton avenue. He remained a widower a trifle more than a year, when he was
again married at Schenectady by the Rev. Mr. BRANDOW to Caroline RE___, the
woman who committed the bloody deed of last night. He came to Albany soon after
his second marriage and moved to his present habitation, where his five
children, Mary, aged nine years, Henry seven, Annie five, John three, and
Willie, aged nine months - were born.
During his work at West Albany the money earned was given
each month to his wife, who deposited what she could save in the Albany Savings
Bank, the book being in her name, the sum of $293 being there to her credit. On
Sunday last obtaining an opportunity to purchase a rug peddler's route from
Herod STREVELL, a neighbor, he began negotiations, and for the sum of $235 the
purchase was made, SCAEFER to pay $125 of the amount last evening at 7 o'clock;
and he then determined to leave his work at West Albany. Wednesday morning on
leaving the house he requested his wife to draw that amount from the bank and
she promised to do so. On returning from his peddling route in the evening he
asked if she had the money, when she stated that she had gone to the bank where
a great crowd had congregated, two policemen refusing to allow her to enter the
building. He appeared satisfied with her story and nothing more was said.
Yesterday morning he harnessed his horse and drove his wife in person to the
bank, leaving her on the corner of Chapel and State streets, while he proceeded
on.
He returned home between five and six o'clock and after doing
some work about the yard, came into the house, his wife all the time standing
looking out of the window. He asked her if she had drawn the money, when she
turned and said; "We have had bad luck, I have lost the bank book, and when
I went to the bank to-day the man refused to give me the money without it."
SCAEFER on this, we then had words, he alleging that she became very violent,
when he slapped her on the side of the face. He then sat down to his supper,
after eating which he, at half-past seven o'clock, went to the house of a friend
named Wm. KIEBACH, and related his misfortune. Together they went to Strevellis,
where the matter was explained, and, as near as he can judge, it was ten o'clock
when he re-entered the house. The room was in partial darkness, a kerosene lamp,
suspended by a wire from the ceiling, being turned down.
He went upstairs to the apartments of a widow woman named
MILLER and asked for his wife, the woman stating she did not know her
whereabouts. He then went downstairs, entered the bedroom and called his
daughter, Annie, asking where her mother was. Receiving no response he began
scoping about the bed, when his hands coming in contact with a wet substance and
his children making no responses he withdrew, and was horrified at finding blood
upon them. Grasping the lamp, he first saw the murdered bodies. Frantic, he ran
to the house of a neighbor, Henry BROOKS, directly opposite where he
breathlessly related the horrible facts and asked that he go to the precinct
station-house and summon help. While relating this story to one reporter, Mr.
SCAEFER seemed completely broken down with the ___ that had so suddenly befallen
him, breaking down several times and weeping incessently. His friends and
neighbors did all in their power to __- him and asst_ge his grief, endeavoring
to prevail on him to seek rest, __ all in vain, ___ he will lose his reason.
In answer to where he had kept the razor that had performed
the cruel order, Mr. SCAEFER conducted the ___ in a store room, in the
north-western part of his apartments, and pointing to the small window close to
the ceiling, and looking in __ room, where the dead children lay on the _- of
which stood a shaving cup, he pointed and said, "In that cup," which
was found empty, the deadly weapon made by his own hand being mis_-.
The Story Of Margaretta Miller
The upper story of the building is occupied by Mrs.
Margaretta MILLER, a German, who has occupied the premises one month. She was
unable to converse in English and, through Captain SAUER and Sergeant LAGRANGE,
who interpreted her story, she related the following to an Express report said
am 57 years of age. It was Mr. SCAEFER who first discovered the children dead in
bed. The babe was in the cradle, the others were in the bed in the bedroom. It
was a few minutes before ten o'clock when he came home, having been absent
nearly three hours. I was in bed. He ran up the stairs and knocking loudly on my
door, cried out, "Where is my _rau_?" I said, "I don't
know." I then asked 'What is the matter?" He ran downstairs
crying,"Oh! my children: Matie! Matie! where are you? Oh! My frau! What is
this? Mein Gott: Mein Gott! Our children, one and all killed!
He then ran next door and called Daniel KLAINGER, telling
KLAINGER that his children were all dead. SCAEFER returned to the house. During
his absence I dressed myself, and on going down stairs saw the children drenched
in blood. About seven o'clock I heard SCAEFER and his wife talking about the
bank book and the money. I heard noise or dispute between them; nothing except
asking for the bank book. He did not strike her. After SCAEFER left I heard a
noise down stairs, and thought some person was going out. At no time have I
heard them quarrel. On the contrary, they loved each other and were always
peaceable. SCAEFER continually praised his wife and quiet frequently said that
he thought more of her than he did of his first wife. Mr. SCAEFER has a daughter
by his first wife. She is a servant in the family of Mr. John JONES. The
relations of husband and wife toward the children were of the very best, and the
little ones were always happy and the family were respected by their
neighbors."
Mrs. MILLER, overcome by the sight, was subsequently taken to
the residence of her son-in-law, Henry BROOKS, corner of Quail and Third
streets, and the house was left in charge of Officers ____ and RAMSAY.
*
DEATHS & FUNERALS
-John ZAUCHL(?) of No. 88 Lowell street died yesterday of quick consumption at
the age of 29 years. The funeral will be held from the residence at 2 p.m., and
from St. Paul's German church at 2:30 p.m. to-morrow.
-The funeral of Robert BLACK will be held from the house, No. 344 State street,
at 2:30 o'clock to-morrow.
-Samuel TRUMP, of Pittsford, died last Thursday in Bay City. The bereaved family
consists of a wife and eight children. The funeral will be held from the house
at 2 o'clock tomorrow.
-Miss Genevieve KRAFT of Buffalo, who has many friends in Rochester, died
yesterday afternoon from lung disease. She was a cultivated and attractive lady
who made friends everywhere, and whose death will cause widespread sorrow.
-The death of John HOURIG_ of Meigs street occurred this morning. Deceased was
about 45 years of age and leaves a wife but no children.
-Lily T., infant daughter of G. R. MILLS of 167 Smith street, died last night in
the eighth year of her age. The funeral which will be private will be held at
ten o'clock to-morrow morning.
*
A CHILD SCALDED TO DEATH
Gasport, May 30 - A little son of Thomas WHITE of Reynolds' Basin, aged four
years, while playing in the kitchen yesterday, accidently overturned a pan of
boiling water. He was scalded on the limbs and one side, and died during the
night.
*
ALVIN S POTTER REARRESTED
Alvin S. POTTER, who was arrested a few days ago on the charge at
attempting to defraud P. M. HINMAN out of a hotel bill amounting to $115, was
released on the promise of settlement. He gave some security for the amount of
the bill. Last night Mr. HINMAN caused his rearrest on the ground that he was
attempting to remove property which had been pledged as security. Mr. POTTER is
now at the police station. His case will be tried June 6th.
*
KILLED ON THE ERIE
About 10 o'clock last night train No. 1 on the Erie struck James
FANNING, who was lying on the track about three-quarters of a mile south of
Avon, and he was terribly mangled, producing almost instant death. The remains
were convered to the village of Avon, where deceased resided.
*
IN MEMORIAM
The death of Mrs. Alice B. MULLEN occurred at her residence 171
Hudson street, yesterday morning, after a brief illness. Mrs. MULLEN was born in
Oswego, n. Y., and has resided in this city for the past fifteen years. She
leaves two children, one boy aged five years and a little girl only five months.
She was a kind and affectionate mother, and was esteemed by all who knew her.
Though young in years, yet she was reconciled to separate from the earthly ties
which bound her for many years to her loving family and friends. Mr. MULLEN has
the condolence of his many friends. The funeral will take place from the house
at 8:30 o'clock and from St. Bridget's church at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
__