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Subject: [NYNAS ] Hempstead Fire 1849 (1839) Con't
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 11:49:52 EST

27 February 1849
Bklyn Eagle
Con't

THE HEMPSTEAD ARRAIR -- CONTINUATION OF MR. MILLER'S EXAMINATION
The examination of Jonathan MILLER for arson and murder, was continued
yesterday at Hempstead Court House, on the part of the prosecution, but
so far nothing has been brought to light directly to criminate Mr.
MILLER, as connected with the horrid crime for which he has been
arrested--indeed, hardly enough to hold him for trial, provided he
should make no defense whatever.
The first witness called yesterday morning was Edward C. MILLER,
brother of Jonathan. He was shown a diagram of the premises, which he
said was correct. He had not been at the house since January till after
the fire; had worked for Jonathan and frequently visited at his house;
Jonathan kept his axe, gun, &c in the south-east corner of the
shed-room; was present when the axe [thinks it was the same one] was
found in the centre of the large west-room; was present when the body of
Mrs. MILLER was found. Witness stated several other facts connected
with the fire, but nothing of importance.
James ROGERS testified to having bought a load of hay of Mr. MILLER,
at Brooklyn, about 11 1/2 o'clock on the 15th--the morning of the fire.
William CREED, who lives about 1 1/2 miles from MILLER's house saw a
man passing, with a load of hay, in the direction of Brooklyn [supposed
it to be MILLER] about 15 minutes before 4 o'clock on the morning of the
15th. Is not sure it was MILLER,---Elias and Joseph DORLON were both
called to the stand, but their evidence was substantially the same as on
Friday last.
WARREN DEWITT, sworn.--Saw the fire on the 15th; supposed at 4 A.M.
DAVID S. CLOWS--Resides in Hempstead; saw the fire about 4.1.4. [?]
JOHN FLOWER--Was at the house of MILLER afte the fire a little after
11 AM; saw the ace about the centre of the main building; pole of head
down, edge up, slantingly; parts of the wall and rubbish laying over the
pole and under edge of blade; can't say there was any wall under the
head of the axe.
WM. R. EVERETT.--Went to look for Mr. MILLER to inform him of the
fire; met him at Bedford, [suburbs of Brooklyn]; asked him if he had
heard of the accident or something to that effect; he said he had not; I
told him his whole family was burned up; he slacked up his reins and
said," How can it be?" witness told Henry NOSTRAND, who was with him, to
take hold of his [MILLER's] reins; NOSTRAND got on witness wagon, and
witness told MILLER to get in with him, which he did, and then turned
round to return to Hempstead; MILLER said twice, "how can it be?"
witness asked him [MILLER] how he left the fire? MILLER said his wife
waked him up, and he came directly down the stairs, lighted the candle,
went to the barn, fed his horses, went back to the house, and took his
coffee, then harnessed his horses and hitched them to the wagon, and
then went into the house, put on his coat, blew out the candle sitting
on the table near the middle of the room, went out, shut the gate, and
started for Brooklyn; it was two o'clock, MILLER told witness, when he
came down stairs; left home about three o'clock, A.M.
HENRY NOSTRAND--Was at the fire at 7 o'clock; went with Mr. EVERETT
to look for MILLER; met MILLER at Bedford; EVERETT said to MILLER, "I
have found you at last," then EVERETT told MILLER that his family were
burned up; MILLER asked EVERETT what time the house took fire; remained
in conversation with MILLER but a few moments; EVERETT told MILLER this
house took fire between four and five; took charge of MILLER's wagon;
MILLER got into EVERETT's; don't recollect of hearing MILLER say, "How
can it be?"
Here the evidence closed for the present on the ......the District
Attorney say-.....[black ink stripe across the page]
The Court room.........people, most of whom were MILLER's neighbors,
and while they may say there is no positive eveidence to convict, there
seems to be a vague but quite general conviction that he is guilty.

Transcribed by Marilyn Wright for the Bklyn Info Pages
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~blkyn/Bklyn.Info.Page.html

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