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An Unknown Woman Butchered on a Post Road.
ROADSIDE MURDER.
An Unknown Woman Butchered on a Post Road--The Murderers Suspected, But at Large. KINGSTON, N.Y., Tuesday, Nov 17. This place is in a fever of excitement over the fact that an atrocious murder has been committed near here, on a lonely post road leading to the little village of Accord. The particulars of the finding of the victim are as follows: On Sunday morning, between 4 and 5 o'clock, a colored man, a farm-hand named WYNKOOP, was on his way to Middleport on foot. When he reached a locality three miles east of Accord Post Office, he beheld the lifeless body of a woman lying by the roadside. Hastening to the nearest neighbors he procured assistance and went back to the spot. The body lay on its side. Examining it closely, a frightful sight was beheld. Under it lay pools of blood, while one or two stones near it were also covered with gore. Almost immediately it was ascertained that life was not extinct, but that the poor creature was entirely unconscious. Upon examining the head two mortal wounds were found in it. A ball had penetrated under the right eye, and passing downward had fractured jaw and lodged there her. [sic] Another ball had entered under the left eye, passed under the skin, and passed out at an angle of the jaw, entering the body again at the front part of the shoulder, lodging near the left lung. The back of the head was also terribly bruised and cut as if by a stone or stones. As quickly as possibly the dying woman was conveyed to the farm-house of Mr. JACOB WESTBROOK, where a more minute examination of her was made, for the purposes of identification. She was to all appearances about 25 years of age, and very handsome. Her hair was jet-black, as also were her eyebrows. A fine set of teeth were also visible. She was attired in a brown, striped alpaca dress, with silk bonnet, a heavy blanket shawl, and morocco boots, and she wore a black jet pin. Her clothing generally was of the best quality. But strange to say, not a thing was found on her of a nature likely to lead to her identification. Dr. CHAMBERS being notified, visited her, and every effort was made to restore her to consciousness, but without success. Once she opened her eyes, but recognized no one. During Tuesday she was failing very fast, and up to noon of that day no one could tell who she was. In order to preserve her features a photographer was sent for, who took a photograph of her, and copies will be immediately printed to further the ends of justice. It is stated here, to-day, that she is in an advanced state of pregnancy, which fact undoubtedly caused her death. So far as her murderer is concerned, there are many rumors flying about, and gossip on the subject is wild. One fact, however, exists, which may lead to the detection of the villain who perpetrated the fearful crime, and that is, a whip was found by the side of the body. The following story is also told: Sunday morning, about 7 o'clock, two young men drove into Middleport village; eight miles from where the body was found. They were in a one-horse wagon, and drove a pacing horse of value. They had their animal put up, and ordered breakfast at the inn. While waiting for their meal one of them remarked to the other, "Where's your whip?" The reply was, "I guess we've lost it." "Well, never mind," said the first speaker, "the horse is too lazy, we won't go back after it," and there the subject dropped, the two going to breakfast and leaving again immediately after consuming it. It is thought that these two men know of the murder, and therefore officers are in pursuit of them, and will probably be back here with them to-morrow. A man, well known in this county, has ventured the remark that he is almost certain that he has seen the murdered woman's face before. One rumor prevails, and strongly too, that she was a resident of Ellenville, and that she was murdered by the son of a wealthy tanner near there, a clerk in a store in Ellenville being in the secret. This last rumor enjoys general credence, being whispered about by leading men here.
Source: Unknown, "Roadside Murder. An Unknown Woman Butchered on a Post Road--The Murderers Suspected, But at Large," The New York Times, New York, Wednesday, 18 November 1868, p. 5.
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Created February 16, 2004; Revised February 16, 2004
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