The Columbia Democrat. (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, December 26, 1840, Image 2

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    MURDER OP SUYDAM.
A few days rince.Mr. Suydam thoPresi.
Uent of lha Farmers&Mechanics bank of N.
Brunswick, N. J.disappoarod very sudden
ly, it was at nrst supposed that fie had
absconded. It will bo seen, however by
the following letter lo tho editor of tlio Uni--ted
States Gazette, that ho has boon basely
murdered t
" New Brunswick, Monday, 8 P. M.
I can think or nothing else just now than
the murder of Suydam, whose body I havo
Beon this evening, and whose murderer is
secured. I will, therefore, detail tlio cir
cumstances that tiave transpired for your
edification, not doubting they will be inter
esting to you. S. sold sundry lots to man
in moderalo circumstances, and assisted
them to build upon them, to encourago the
improvement of tho neighborhood of his
lots, taking a bond and mortgage to secure
the payment of his advances. In this way
ho assisted Peter Robison, a poor carpenter
to build on New Street, about half way be
tween tho foot of tho drift land and the Tren
ton Railroad. On tho morning of the dis
appearance of S. he told Carman he had an
appointment with some man previous to
Church. Mrs. Auten,who lives in Bayard,
tho next street this side of Now, said early
in this business that she saw S, over i'r.
New street, from her window, about 2 o'
clock. Except the hour there was quite a
chain of evidence to the spot. In tke hour
she has been mistaken. It seems his ap
pointment must have beon with Robison,
on piotenco of paying off his bond. Safely
in his house, Robinson knocked him over
with his axe, and buried him in his cellar.
In tho excitement arising from his disap
pearance, R. joined with apparent inno
cence, lamenting that his bond might get
into hands not quite so lenient as those of
S. and his house be taken from him. Poor
fool ! In a week he forgot his lament, spor
ted a gold watch, and bragged that his bond
and mortgage was paid off, and his house
cleat; and at tho samo timo, said ho was a
fraid to have the cancelling noted on tho re
cords now,lestthey should say he had mur
dered Suydam 1 He was arrested this af
ternoon, and told suah a crooked tale, that
lie was comruitted.and our citizens enmasae
took possession of his house. It was so
full, nothing could be done until they ap
pointed a committee of twelve, and the bal
ance stepped out of doora, Tho committee
proceded to the cellar, tore up a new made
floor, found a looso place in the earth be
n i-a Hi, and about dark, lifted out the lifeless
body of Abraham Suydam, with his clothes
on ! He has been killed by a blow or blows
on the head with an edged instrument.
Thus you see tho conviction expressed in
my letter of this morning, that ho had not
absconded, is fully confirmed. When I
-eaw the corpse, they were carrying it down
to the Oourt House, to hold an inquest,
The night was set in, and it was accompa
nied by a great crowd, several of whom,
around tho body, carried torches. Every
voice seemed muflled, only being elevated
enough to be heard abovo tho heavy tread
of the multitude by tho individual addressed.
The sceno was awfully solemn. After the
inquest, and a comparativo dispersion of
the crowd, the corpse wis taken to his late
Tesidenco. What an awful moment for his
family ! The wife and brother of tho mur
derer aro also in prison.
He wont to Robinson's House at 10 to
jrcccive 000 ho had lent R. on a mortgage,
and never returned. It is supposed that
the deceasod was silting at a table in Rob
inson's house, making calculations of inter
est pn the mortgago.whon ho was struck by
Robinson from behind. From tho appear
ance of the wound it is bolieved that the in
strument used was an adze. Mr. Suydam
must have taken the marlgage;bonds, notes,
&c, to R.'s house with him, as they havo
all been found in Robinson's possession.
Robinson has been in this city eince the
murder, to purchase lumber. The watch
found upon Robinson is a new gold watch,
which ho says he bought of a pedlar in
Broadway, and has had eighteen months.
Ho told a watchmaker, at New Brunswick,
that he bought it at auclionjin Broadway for
$70 or $75. It is a French lepine. Mr.
Suydam's watch was a gold patent lever
double case and gold chain. It was found
in Newark where it was either pledged by
some one or exchanged for another.
The body of a cat was found interred over
tho body a singular and deliberate precau
tion tho design of which was to account
for any disagreeable smell or effluvia that
might arise from the grave.
It is a remarkable coincidence, that Mr.
Suydam married his first wife on a thanks
giving day, buried her on a thanksgiving
day, -znd was murdered on a thanksgiving
daX-
Tho following letter gives still further
discoveries of importance,
New BRUNswicK.Dec. 15, 8 P. M.
The greatest excitement still prevails in
this community, and is spreading- rapidly.
So horrible a murder was nevor before com
mitted in this quarter of the State. There
is now scarcely a doubt but (hat Robinson
was the murderer of Mr. Suydam. His
brother James, who was arrested with him
was examined to day. Ho stated that liis
brother offered him fifty dollars to set lire to
his dwelling.
Mr. Evans, of Newark, with whom Mr.
Suydam's watch was found, also testified
to-day. He immediately identified Robinson
as the person who exchanged Mr.Suydaras
watch with hira fo; another watch and sev
eral spoons, &c. The spoons ho oidercd
marked P. A. R. Robinson's initials,
Several places havo been discovered in
Robinson's house, newly planned. No
doubt where the blood was spilt.
Tho examination is going on, and fresh
disclosures aro expected to-morrow,
Mr. Suydam was a member of tho Dutch
Reformed Church. Ho has loft a young
wifo and a most interesting family. He
was interred this afternoon at 4 o'clock, u
midst a deep sensation.
Tho only causo to ba assigued for this
horrible crime is, that Robinson expected
to gain possession of all the papers belong
ing to him that were in tho hands of Mr.
Suydam as security.
Robinson answers no questions. He says
he don't care for any body, and tells thorn
to do what they please.
Further Particulars of Mr. Stiydam's
Murder. A. letter to the New York Her
ald, dated New Brunswick, Dec. lGtli, 7
A. M.says: In examining a few witnesses
to-day,ir. relation to the unfortunate murder
nothing now or important has been obtain
ed. Last night, J. W. Cortelyon's watch
storo was broken open, and "about forty
watches stolen. It is presumcd,the thiovo's
wcra accomplices of tho murder of Robin
son and their aim was to get possession of
Mr. Suydam's watch, as they must havo
thought it still in his possession.
Robison was fully committed for tiial
but his wife and brother William havo been
liberated altar a slight examination. Will
iam was the brother that was so strongly
suspected of being concerned in tho foul
deed. He was bound over for a hundred
dollars lo appear at the approaching trial.
mere are numerous and astounding ru
mors relativo to tho prisoner. Two of his
children dying very suddenly three or four
raontns since, the physician believed they
had been poisoned in sorao manner. A
Pedlar was murdered some two or threo
years since! he was found not far from this
place in tho canal with his hands tied be
hind him, and it is now thought he was the
viciiin oi uooison.
P. S,It is also rumored that ho hid made
an appointment with a Mr. Cbeseman on
tho afternoon of tho 3d, for tho purpose of
paying 1)150 that he owed, so that mav ac
count for the other grave that was found dug
in tho cellar.
It is well known that tho eenerous S.had
ofton befriended and assisted R. as his hand
was always open to tho needv and distress
ed, which mal.es R.'a crime for the patry
sum of $780, tho amouut due ou tho mort
gage one of the most cold-blooded and
inhuman that can be found in the annals of
guilt."
The Lehigh Bulletin states, that at the
recent Presidential Election, in Allenlown,
a lady matched her husband at thu ballot-
box thus :
" On the evening previous to the elec
tion ho had his federal ticket prepared, and
in a tantalising manner showed it to his wife
who was a decided Van Buren woman.
and then folded it up again and put it into
his pocket. The next morning she was
up early, took the ticket from his pocket
and with a pen and ink erased every name
of the electors, then folded it up and put
it who re sue got it. ante onough in the
evening in counting off the votes, the iden
tical ticket camo out, to the great amaze
ment of all true federals that any of their
men should throw away their votes. The
history of this misteryous vote was unravel-,
led a few days after by his wife, by her
slating " how she had fix'd hira."
Napoleon's Remains. We learn.by the
way of Boston, that tho exhumation of tho
remains of Napoleon took place on tho lBth
of October last, with great pomp and parade
under the direction of the Prince do Join
ville. It was a most interesting sight!
Napoleon's body, which was embalmed
by French chemists at tho lirne of his death
May 5, 1821, was found in a stalo of com
plete preservation and tho features perfect.
It was conveyed on ioard tho "Belle
Poule," which, with the "Favorite," sailed
for France tho next day, where they, no
doubt, havo arrived. France has therefore
been once more in perfect delirium of ex
citement. Spirit of the Timts.
Post Offices. There aro more than 12,
000 Post Offices in tho United States. By
tholawoftho land, the annual compensa
tion is not to exceed $2,000. In only 09
nfTIcliS does ihn rnmilnr rnmmic.inn n r,.
tj) Wl JJW,
cenlage allowed lo Post Masters, amount to
re .i .
uiui num. ui iiiuao, seven oniy aro in tho
New England States; six in New York;
four in Pannsvlvaniaitwn in A 1;iK artlfi til ran
in Ohio; and one in each of the States of
Worth ijarolina, Louisiana, Tennessee.Ken
lucky, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri.
In 80 Post Offices, the compensation ranges
from 81000 to $2000. A very large nnm
ber of Post Masters receive a compensation
ranging from $500 to $1000.
The largest diamond known to exist in
the world, is in tho possession of the Kin"
ot rortugai, and is valued at (he enormous
sum ot fifty seven millions of pounds ster
ling or about two hundred and fifteen mil
lions of dollars T
The Taunton (Mass.) paper says: " Wo
understand that tho Selectmen of Middlebo
ro have been iudictcd by tho Grand Jury
reiving jncgaj votes at tuo late elec
lion."
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Was communicated to Congross this day;
and we feel prido and satisfaction in present
ing it in our columns. This is no barren
compliment. The latost message of Mr.
Van Buren in such as cannot fail to obtain
tho approbation of every honest and impar
tial mind. It is characterized by The frank
ness which has distinguished all his com
munications, and particularly his pointed
and pregnant inaugral. That was a distinct
declaration of faith, with which his admin
istration of the Government has been in
strict conformity. However opposed lo the
principles and measures of tho President,
no man can say that he has been deceived
in them-
Tho message opens with a (sincere ac
knowledgement to that. Providence which
has blessed our country with health, plenty,
and pcaco. It proceeds to furnish a brief
but comprehensive statement of our foreign
relations, which it truly describes ns those
of honorable peace. To the clouds which
lower boyond tho ocean, allusion is in ado in
tho language and sentiments ot humanity
and patriotism, while tho true policy of our
Government is pointed out, should the
peace of tho world unfortunately bo disturb
ed. Passing lojdomcslic topics.tho President
presents a view of our financial condition,
which cannot fail to stirpriso those who
wero misled by the sinister clamor which
has been propagated througout tho laad.
After a period of unexampled embarrass
ment at homo and abroad, tho sound and
improving tate of our finances here pre
sented is tho best commentary and defence
of tho doctrinoB and policy of the Repub
lican Administration, which is drawing to
wards its close. The public faith has been
in every instance presorved, the legal stand
ard has been adhered to, no permanent debt
has been incurred, while the floating amount
is small, and with judicious management
can bo easily extinguished, without increas
ing the public burdens.
Well may tho President with satisfac
tion to the firmness with which he resisted
the efforts tot. compel "jtho Government to
break down these bulwarks which not only
secured its own honor, but served as a ral
lying point to the recuperative cnorgios of
the country. What would havo been the
consequences of yielding, no man can say.
Mr. Van Buren's opposition to a Na
tional Bank is strengthened by experience;
and his warnings against the over-growing
misery of a public debt, we hopo will not
be given in vain. The observations which
have arisen naturally from these tonics, fur
nish an ample vindication from the charges
with which his public course lias been so
perseveringly and perversely assailed. Ho
has'but to point to the result, after four years
of difficulty without a parallel, for a defence
of that great measure of reform which ho
recommends with increased confidence, and
which will signalize his administration in
history.
Wo have not time to-day to speak of the
remaining subjects of tho message. The
mists of. prejudice will soon vanish away.
Then will tho merits of President Van Bu
ren's administration ba generally acknowl
edged. A calmer hour will bring with it
a taue r judgement. Justice will then be
dono to tho " pilot who weathered the
storm," with a mild vet firm hand, and who
is removed fiom the helm just as tho ship
is stooriug into a safe harbor. A great man,
in dying, uppealed for justice lo other na
tions und to tho next aga. President Van
Uuren may, with greater reason, muko Jus
appeal to the world and to the future.
Ulobc.
A Bold Tricl:.K . bold and decidedly
clever trick Was practised on Tuesday night
on W. Ronloy, who keeps a grocery storo
at the corner df Third and Shippcn streets.
While he was absent 'about 0 o clock a stran
ger borrowed a hand-car of ono of his clerks
and returned it in about half an hour. What
was the astonishment of tho' clerk when lie
discovered the borrower hail actually stolen
a barrol of flour from tho door, and carried
it away in the hand-car alluded to. His
impudoncc in returning the car, after such a
theft, is truly matchless and worthy of re
cord. ABOLITIOIC ELECTOMAL COLLEGE.
The electoral collego of this state elected
J. A. Shulze, who is said to be on abolition
ist, President. They elected Thoma3 H.
Burrowes an abolitionist to fill a vacancy;
they selected Joseph Rjtner an abolitionist:
who characterized the opposition to aboli
tion as "the base bowing of the knee to the
dark spirit of slavery," tho special mes
senger Jo carry the returns to Washington;
and as if to leave no room for doubt, they
recommended Thaddeus Stevens, an open
abolitionists, as Post Mastci General, to
regulate the circulation of abolition docu
ments in the South. Tho Uirney and Earlo
electors we think could have hardly done
mora to evidence their principles. Key
stone. Kentucky. The financial affairs of this
State are "slightly deranged" under the be
nign influence of 'whig principles," The
Stato debt is $2,783,000, whilo the expciu
ditures are considerably more than tho in
come. A little "ehango" is needod here,
surely.
The total receipts of the lata Monument
Fair at Boston, 'wero $32,830 08 total
expenses, S2,801 45: neit proceeds, 830
035 53.
"TnbTU without rim
s.itviw.iy, vvcu.vismt 20, isio.
DELEGATE NOTICE.
Tho Democratic Republican citizens of
Columbia county are requested to meet at
the places of holdiug the General Election,
in each Election District, on
Saturday, the 20th day of Dei. insl..
between tho hours of three and six o'clock
in tho afternoon of said day to choose two
delegates to meet at tho houso of Enoch
Howe, in Bloomsburg.an tho Monday tho
next following.Dec. 28 at ono o'clock P.
M. for tho purpose of choosing delegates to
repiesent Columbia county, in General stato
convention to be held at Harrisburg on the
4lh day of Mereh next to nominate a suita
ble person as a candidate for Govorn'or to
be supportod at tha next October Election.
RICHARD FRUIT,
CHARLES KAI1LER,
OWEN D. LEIB.
ISAAC KLINE,
LEVI L. TATE.
Democratic Standing Committee.
Dec. 15, 1840.
GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE.
We have received No. 1st or the Janua
ry number of this valuable publication. It
is a union of Barton a Gentleman s Maga
zine and the Caskot, both of which havo
heretofore been deservedly popular. The
The present numbei contains, besides the
usual excellent reading matter, a eoloted
plato of (he female fashions for January,
and a beautiful steel Engraving, the Play-
:nslcs,by Sardon, 1 orras threo dollars per
annum or five copies for ten dollars.
Subscriptions will be rooeived at this of
fico. rnvoL ii a. mil jwi-u
Our neighbors in Danville aro certainly
doing a fino business in the sale of real Es
tate, aB will bo seen by the following arti
cle which we copy from the Dauville Demo
crat. Whether the rise of property, as
manifested by this sale, was caused by
" steam" or by "false electioneering" wo
loave for those to determine who aro better
acquainted with the personal affairs of oth
ers than wo are, Porhaps those who have
heretofore had such fears of their neigh-
bora' welfare, as lo publicly tcarn them of
their danger, might enlighten us upon the
subjeot. By ho way, if $10,000 profit
cau be realized in tho sale of 100 acres ol
ore land in the neighborhood of Danville,
what ought to bo the profit on the sale of
several thousand asros of ceal lands in a
valuublu coal region, purchased under far
more advantageous circumstances.
GO AHEAD !
Seems to bo tho order of the da) at least
in Danville, in Culumbia county. To tho
cnterprizing character and intelligence of
tlio Messrs. Groves, who are conducting
tho Anthracite iron rurnace, erected by
George Patterson, Esq. wo are indebted
fur the prospect of an iuimonee addition to
the wealth and prosperity of this region of
country. Ihey have purchashed, Irom
Judge Donaloson, at an advance of 810
000 over his recent purchase, (and the prop
erty would be considered cheap at a simi
lar advance) one of tha most eligible sites
for another lurnaca m this county contain'
i ii rr an inexhaustible mass of tha finest ore
and every facility for carrying tho iron when
manufactured to market. It is situated but
a short distance from Danville, with a gen
tie declination from the ore banks to the Ca
nal, and bids fair, under tho auspices of its
energetic owners, to equal in valuo, and
public utility, all that has hitherto been dis
covered or undertaken, in this the greatest
iron region of the blate.
Another. A few days since ono acre of
ground situate in North Danville, was sold
at this placo, fur $2500; and was re-sold
siuco for $4200. Preparations aro now be
ing ma1e for erecting splendid dwellings on
the spot, next year.
And Yet Another. A lot of excellent
limcstono land, in this vicinity, was sold, a
short time ago, at tho rate of 8800 per acre.
It was the property of Mr. Joseph aiaus,
Danville Democrat,
A bill has been introduced into Gongress
by Doct. Duuran, of Ohio, fixing upon a
particular day for the election of President
and Vice President, and members of the
Houso of Representatives throughout the
United States.
ssTKassasserasi
Tho Hon. J. C. Calhoun has been unan
imously re-elected United States Senator
by the Legislature of South Ci'rolina.
Wo aro very sorry that the Editor of tlig
Danville Democrat should so soon repent
of having approximated to something near
tho truth in speaking of tho difference be
tween the oar of Bloomsburg and Dinvillc;
but it seems he wiote his article in haste,
and boing a new resident in Danville, he was
hot thon sufficiently versed in their tactics,
to wholly avoid speaking in praise of any
tiling cither abovo or below the surfaco of
the earth in tho middle and upper sections
of the county. Ho seems, however, to
llavo sinco been inducted into some of their
secrots, for ho now appears to be determin
ed to outrival even Hetod himself. In his
last he gravely make's the startling assertion
that Fishing Creek actually freezes and suf
fers by droughth in summer. We havo
made enquiries of eomo of the oldest sot
tiers in tho neighborhood tif the Creek, and
we cannot find a mail who has ever seen ice'
in it in warm weather, though thoy are hon
est enough to acknowledge that the water
is vory cold, th6 Creek being fed by per
manent springs. As for its suffering from
droughth, it is a conceded point by all that
tho water is actually lower in summer, than
it is in the spring ot full. Whether this
can bo accounted for upon principles of
natural philasophy, wo shall leave for tho
accute discernment of the liberal gentleman
of Danville to determine. Wo however,
soon expect to see it asserted, that the not
ural advantage of Danville for steam pow-'
ei have entirely absorbed the waters of Fish
ing Creek and dried up its fountains.
Tho Legislature of this Stato meets at
Harrisburg, on Tuesday the Slli of Janua
ry. &KX5B232533i
The third attempt to elect a Representa
tive in Congress from tho Oxford District
Maine, has resulted in no choice'.
CONGRESONALELECTIONS;
There are nine States which elect mem'
bers for the next Congress, after the 1st of
May next, viz: Rhode Island, Tennessee,
Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and
North Carolina, which elect in August,
1841; Maryland, Oct. G, 1841; Mississippi,
Nov. 1 and 2, 1841. Those nino Slates
elect 01 members.
Since we have taken a fow cursory noti
cei of tho Anthracite coal trade of Pennsyl
vania, we have been favored with fuller in
formation of the Swataia coal region, near
Pino Grove. And we aro free to confess,
that the extent of the operations which may
be carried on there surprise us. Tho region
is travc.sed by many creeks and their trib
utaries; by which the mountains ranging
from five to eight hundred feet in height aro
cut to tlioir base, and entrances into the veins
arc made cheap and easy. In the bitumin
ous fields, and in England the veins of coal
lie horizontallylthcy aro worked from eight
to twelve hundred feat felow water lovel.
at a heavy expense for sjrifting, machinery,
And ongines. At Pine Grovo the veil's run
the length of tho mountains, from gap to
gap, in something of a vertical position,
from five lo thirty feet thick, from the baso
to tho top of the mountains; and below wa
ter level an unascertained depth; and arc dis-
tant from one onother some bundled feet
with strata of rock, slate and iron ore be
tween them, Tbo mountains aro cut to tho
base by the Swatar, Lorberry, Roush-creeki
Coal-creek, Gebhart's-creok, Middle-creek
and others; and Sharp Mountain, with eight
veins, Red Mountain, Coal Mountain, Lit
tle Lick, Big Lick, Thick Mountain, oon
taining together about seventy veins, are all
exposed to the miners at the lowest water
level. The coal, we learn, Is of the vory
finest quality, and every variety of red
grey, and white ash being easily ignitod,
and burning with a bright yellow Maze.
A finer domestic fuel either in stoves or
grates has never been known in any coun
try; for generating seara it is excellent, and
necessarily for manufacturing purposes.
Such is the testimony of every ono who has
used it. Lot but capital he afforded for con
structing facilities to carry it to market, and
Baltimore must derive nearly the whole
benefit, sinco it is the natural and direct mar
ket. Baltimore American.
MESSRS. SMITH & WOLCOTT.
The above geallemcn, who havo been
teaching Penmanship in this plaoo with un
parralleled success, on Friday ovoning, tho
llth inst. presented tho Berwick Lyceum
with a beautifully transcribed copy of its
constitution, enclosed in a frame and glass,
piobably 2 by 3 feet in size. Tho Presi
dent appointed Messrs. Headley, Brundago
and Mack, a commllteo to convey Smith &
Wolcott the thanks of tha society. Ber
wick Conservator.
Good. A proposition is before the Leg
islature of Missouri, to punish as felony
the improper use of the Slate's money by
its agents.
Timothy D wight, formerly President of
Yale College, and Aaron Burr, wero first
first cousins. Their mothors wero daugh
ters of the elder Jonathan Edwards.