SEYMOUR DURST 
 
 ^ ' 'Tort nieutv iAtn^trJam- Je HarJiatans 
 
 When you leave, please leave this book 
 
 Because it has been said 
 " Ever'thin^ comes t' him who waits 
 
 Except a loaned book." 
 
THE KELSEY OUTRAGE! 
 
 A FULL, IMPARTIAL, AND INTERESTING ACCOUNT 
 
 OF 
 
 THIS MOST CRUEL AND REMARKABLE CRIME: 
 THE TAR AND FEATHEHING; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THE ALLEGED MURDER 
 
 OF 
 
 CHARLES G. KELSEY. 
 
 EVIDENCE IN FULL! 
 
 THE ACCUSED MURDERERS! 
 DOINGS OF THE ^^TAR PARTY," 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 PUBLISTTED BY BARCLAY & CO. 
 No. 2 1 North Seventh Street. 
 
Entered accordirg to Act of Congress^ in Ihe year 187a, by 
 E. B. B ARC LAY & C O., 
 In the Office ot the Librarian ot Congress, at Washington, D» C. 
 
 Avery Architectur.^l and Fine Arts Library 
 Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library 
 
THE 
 
 KELSEyTllRlllNG&FEfiTIEeiG OmGE 
 
 IN 
 
 HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND. 
 
 is believed the particulars herein narrated of the fate that befcl 
 Cliarlcs G. Kelsey stand without a parallel in the list of cruelties 
 inflicted upon humanity by men living within the pule of civiliza- 
 tion, and the revelation, as mighfc be expected, has excited a won- 
 derful and intense interest in the public mind everywhere. 
 The village of Huntington, which has acquired such an unenviable fame 
 in consequence of this event, is said to be the finest as regards natural 
 beauties on the whole of Long Island. It is situated about thirty-eight 
 miles from New York, on the Sound side, and lies snugly embosomed in 
 a lovely valley, surrounded by a succession of hills and broad rolling 
 plateaus. On every hand are indications of thrift and prosperity. Many 
 families from New York spend the summer in the village, living in their 
 own cottages — comfortable dwellings that greet the eye whichever way one 
 may turn, and which at once stamp their owners as being the possessors of 
 wealth and a high degree of refinement. Before the occurrc-noo of the dis- 
 graceful act that rests upon it like a pall of gloom, and which h i!r ci-ept like 
 an insidious monster into hitherto peaceful households, rciuiing asunder 
 family connections, and placing a barrier upon the intimacy that formerly 
 existed, no more social community could be found. 
 
 The individuals who have figured in this lamentable affair belong to the 
 oldest and most aristocratic families, and are of the highest clas-s of respect- 
 ability. The three prominent ones are Dr. Banks, Claudius B. Prime, and 
 »Royal Sammis. The former is a j)hysician of excellent reputation and largo 
 practice, and before the linking of his name with an act that must forever 
 blight his future career, was held in great esteem by every one as a high 
 toned and Christian gentleman — a man who would naturally invite rather 
 than repel friendship, and one whom a student of physiognomy would 
 (Xirtainly not consider capable of assisting in the perpetration of so horrible 
 a crime. Prime and Sammis arc both well known residents of tiie place, 
 and the latter is believed to be the leading spirit in the tarring and fcather- 
 ^ig operation. 
 
 Charlee G. Kelsey, the man who dufferoil mutilation and death in tli« 
 
 L9 
 
20 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 hands of these fiends and their friends, was a native of Huntington, and 
 one whose ancestry, for many generations back, was identified with the 
 growth and progress of the town. His childhood and early youth were 
 spent in its quiet precincts, and within the walls of the village school-house, 
 that possesses in the range of its acquirements almost the advantages of a 
 gcminary, he experienced the first gradual awakening of a slumbering 
 genius. His family and friends watched with a sense of pleasure the 
 development of young Kelsey's love of knowledge, and prophesied for the 
 boy a future fraught with high and noble honors in the broad field of 
 poetry and literature. Whether these lofty aspirations were ever realized 
 on his part it is difficult to say, although it must be conceded that he pos- 
 sessed some literary ability, as a few of his published productions will 
 show. 
 
 Several years ago Kelsey became highly enamored of one Julia Smith, 
 then a mere schoolgirl, and paid her particular attention. He sought her 
 society, intruding himself upon her notice whenever an occasion offered, and 
 endeavored by all the arts he possessed to arouse in the maiden^s heart a 
 return of his tender passion. 
 
 Miss Smith, though not remarkable for her beauty, was considered hand- 
 §ome, and possessed many winning ways that gained for her the respect 
 and admiration of the sterner sex. An air of becoming grace marked her 
 every movement, and the expression of sweetness that shone from her 
 lustrous eyes betokened a rare degree of amiability and a refined and 
 cultivated intellect. 
 
 It would appear that Kelsey, being of an amorous turn, placed his entire 
 affections upon Julia. He determined to link his destiny with hers when 
 she should be of the proper age to marry. He made her the idol of his 
 mental worsiiip. Her face was the barometer of his happiness. He became 
 a monomaniac in his love for Julia, who was yet too young to fully 
 analyze her feelings, or to comprehend the depth and power of the mystic 
 passion. 
 
 Oh, woQiau ! vv'hat an influence thou dost wield upon the fate of man ! 
 Tliy bright smiles attract, thy heavenly form inspires sentiments of admira- 
 tion, until down in the depths of the heart, a hidden flame burns with 
 ever increasing glow, and pervades the entire being with emotions of a 
 new-born rapture ! 
 
 And so it was with Cliarles Kelsey. He was brought under the spell of 
 Julia's personal charms, and he lavished upon her all the love of his ideal 
 nature. That the affection he at first manifested for her was actuated by 
 fair and honorable motives, perhaps no one will question; but his 
 «ubsequent conduct would put to the blush any lover of virtuCj^ and cer- 
 tainly surpasses in conception and detail the most sensational work of 
 fiction. 
 
 Miss Julia was an orphan, and the proteg^ of her aged grandmother Mrs. 
 Oakley. These two lived by themselves in a handsome villa, adjoining the 
 
TAIiRLNQ AND FEATH EKING OUTRAGE. 21 
 
 rn o-j of Dr. Banks. Perhaps it was this fact that established the amiable 
 <^)c^or as the champion of the lonely girl, who unfortunately had no malo 
 ^)n)'?ctor in the little family of which she was an important member. 
 
 The years came and went, but the passing time brought with it no abate- 
 riu ntof the passion that dwelt like a consuming fire in the breast of the 
 ii! situated man. 
 
 ]M!SS Smith, now grown to young womunhooJ, was the sole object of his 
 -.Itt ntions, which were of so persistent a nature as to be in the highest 
 ••Jicgree annoying to her. 
 
 It is stated that the young lady never, in word or action, gave the least 
 cncoura^'-ement to her devoted admirer; and she emphatically declares this 
 to be true, and that she repelled his protestations of love, and in every way 
 tried to avoid him. 
 
 It is certainly a novel idea for a man to persist so strenuously in monopo- 
 lizing the society of a young lady, and claiming her as his especial property, 
 without her consent; and this view of the case has been vigorously com- 
 bated, and many cling to the belief that Kelsey\s devotion was reciprocated, 
 until the appearance on the scene of Royal Sammis, as an aspirant for her 
 hand, when at once a fierce rivalry sprung up between the two, that found 
 its culmination in the awful deed that has darkened the fair fame of the 
 once proud and happy village. 
 
 Mr. Sammis found favor in the sight of Mias Smith, and as a result of 
 the acquaintance, became the affianced of the lady, who thus hoped to be rid 
 of Kelsey's persecutions. 
 
 Previous to this turn of affairs, and dating back to Miss Julia's school 
 days, these persecutions had been simply intolerable. Letters were continu- 
 ally sent claiming her love and attention, and when this species of corres- 
 pondence failed of its object, another was substituted, of a character to 
 awaken prurient desires on the part of the recipient. 
 
 Let it be borne in mind that during all this time Charles G. Kelsey was 
 a member of the First Presbyterian church, in the village, as was also Miss 
 Julia Smith. That he was in good standing among the brethren, a worker 
 in the Sunday school, and one wdiose voice was often heard in prayer and 
 exhortation to the Throne of Grace. 
 
 How this apparent devotion to piety can be reconciled with the nature of 
 his conduct towards Miss Smith, it is beyond the ken of the writer to deter- 
 mine. 
 
 While the breath of asj)ersion need not be raised against one who has 
 reached the confines of the grave, candor c<»mpel3 a recognition of the facts 
 as they existed, according to the statements of thase who at least ought to 
 know. 
 
 Kelsey 's mania for poetry had indeed developed itself. He wrote her 
 verses without end of meaningless nonsense, which she consigned to the 
 flames. He held imaginary interviews with her, which his facile pen de- 
 scribes, as a romance, in voluminous letters, one of which is here appended : 
 
22 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 " Good morning, Jalia ! said Orlos; ^' I am so glad to see you. It seems 
 an age since I met you. I know you are not to blame, dear Julia. Al- 
 though I have had some misgivings, and they have been painful to me. 
 Julia,'^ said he with deep earnestness, "can I yet hope?^' 
 
 Julia did not answer, but asked Orlos to give her the book he held in bis 
 hand. She opened it and wrote, with a lead pencil, something upon the 
 fly leaves, and then handed it back to him. 
 
 " Orlos,'^ said Julia, " if I seemed to have shunned you for some time past, 
 it was not because my regard for you was less, but for fear something might 
 be divulged that would be prejudicial to us both. You know how very 
 much opposed grandmother is to your attentions. She can scarcely bear the 
 thoughts of it. Grandmother is so kind and good to mc, it is painful to do* 
 anytiiing against her will.^' 
 
 You need not do anything against her will," said Orlos ; " if you do 
 not compromise matters with her she will not be any the wiser for all that 
 may transpire, especially if you seem to fall in with her views or give your 
 consent to minor particulars, and thus lull her suspicions." 
 
 " I don't like to play tho hypocrite and deceive grandmother, either," 
 eaid Julia; but I don't see any other way of getting over it at present." 
 
 ^' There are a great many things," said Orlos, allowed in love and war, 
 "svhich would be reprehensible in time of peace." 
 
 Julia smiled ; she sav/ the force of the analogy. A pause ensued. Julia 
 stood gazing into the v/aters which went murmuring beneath their feet. 
 Every feature was motionless. She seemed like some valley nymph of old^n 
 story subdued by an irresistible power — a power which she did not in heart 
 wish to resist. 
 
 After a few moments Julia suddenly turned to Orlos to bid him goodbye. 
 Orlos extended his hand, and as he held her hand he felt reassured ; and in 
 those deep lovelit eyes, where he gazed, he clearly saw the destiny that 
 awaited him — the doubts roll away and reveal the serenity of abiding affec- 
 tion. 
 
 It was now nearly school time. The first bell had rung long ago. Julia 
 bade Orlos a smiling adieu, and, tripping off the bridge, was soon lost to 
 sight. 
 
 Orlos here expresses the ecstatic delight into which he is plunged by the 
 supposititious interview, and then resumes as follows : 
 
 While indulging in these vagrant fancies he bethought himself of the 
 probable message that Julia had left him in the album leaves of his Plato. 
 He quickly turned to it, and what was his surprise in finding a pretty little 
 note, in most beautiful chirography, reading thus : 
 
 My Dear Orlos ; 
 
 " Meet mc at the bridge to-night, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Your affectionate J. 
 
 " Be sure to come." 
 
 Orlos could scarcely believe his senses for very joy. If came to him as an 
 oracle, opening to him the future in long bright vistas, where all the joys 
 that earth could give awaited him. 
 
 He stood midway between the bright dreams of other days — dreams which, 
 iie scarcely had dared hope to see fulfilled — and their final and perfect .... 
 
\ 
 
 i 
 
 Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/kelseyoutragefulOOunse 
 
TAKlUNCi AND F ivkTiFKRING OUTRAGE. 25 
 
 It is well to remark that whenever his letters had the unmistakable stamp 
 of indecency about them he used the signature of " Carthalo ! " while those 
 that might be considered above censure bore his rightful name. Of course 
 the former are unfit for publication. 
 
 When the character of the correspondence which Kelsey was in the habit 
 of sending to Miss Julia became known to her grandmother, it excited un- 
 bounded surprise. The handwriting was easily recognized, the author was 
 known. Carthalo " could not imitate a chirography foreign to his style. 
 But the letters themselves were obscene in the broad sense of the term. 
 Pleasant epistles, truly, for a " lover to send to her whom he would make 
 his wife ! 
 
 Occasionally letters were received, containing within them car^e photo- 
 graphs, lewd in character and design, picturing the worst thoughts of a de- 
 jiraved imagination. 
 
 Steps were at once taken by the venerable grandparent, whose wrinkled 
 brow was silvered with the frast of seventy winters, to prevent their recep- 
 tion in the house. 
 
 Instructions were given not to take any letters or correspondence whatso- 
 ever, in Kcl»ey's handwriting, from the post office. 
 
 Finding this out, after the lapse of a little time, the determined suitor 
 changed his plan of action. He had his letters addressed and mailed in 
 New York, and elsewhere. He dogged her steps more closely than befon?. 
 His habits became like those of the midnight prowler. He would steal into 
 the yard of the Oakley premises, and endeavor to gain access to the young 
 lady's bedchamber. On one occasion he succeeded in entering her room, by 
 means, it is supposed, of a rope ladder. Fortunately it was not occupied hy 
 her oi> that night. 
 
 The following is the account of it, as told by Mrs. Oakley: — "There 
 was a visitor at our house, a married lady, occupying my granddaughter's 
 bed that night. She woke about midnight on feeling a hand across her 
 breast, and on reaching down she met another hand. She suddenly seized 
 both hands, and started bolt upright on the edge of the bed. She held the 
 man fast and called out loud, ' Who are you ? ' She repeated the question 
 twice in a still louder and more commandino- tone of voice, and then the an- 
 swer came, ' If you won't say anything I'll tell you.' She promised not to 
 €ay a word, and then he whispered in her ear, * Kelsey.' She immediately 
 jumped out of bed, reached her hand up for his hair, but finding none on 
 the top, she slipped over his ear and caught him by his long curls behind. 
 With the other hand she held on to his whiskers. She dragged him over 
 to the door, but he braced himself so tight against the wall she was unable 
 to get him out, so she quickly let hi m go and turned the key of the door oa 
 him from the outside. She thought she had him a prisoner sure. She came 
 down stairs, waked me and the girls up and said there was a man in her 
 bedroom named Kelsey. We all laughed at the idea, and said she must be 
 dreaming. None of us thought for a moment that she was serious. Finally 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 we went upstairs, opened the door and found nobody in the room. Xhen 
 we felt satisfied she must have been dreaming, but she got provoked and 
 said, * Now, Mrs. Oakley, sit down there for a moment and I'll tell you the 
 whole affair.' She told all that occurred just as I have told it to you, and 
 then when we went to examine the window we found the green blinds had 
 been pulled open. The window itself was up, as it was summer time, but 
 the outside blinds were always kept closed. Next morning early I went out 
 and examined the ground under the bedroom window and found marks of a 
 ladder in the sod. The second time he came my granddaughter Abby was in 
 the bed, she woke up hearing the blinds opened and saw a man pulling his 
 head back and disappearing down a ladder. This was Kelsey too." 
 
 It is but fair to state that the friends of Kelsey do not believe half the 
 faults that have been brought to his charge, and in the criminations and re- 
 criminatioiis that have been bandied about the utmost chaos prevails. They 
 declare that he was never guilty of writing obscene literature to Miss. Smith, 
 and can almost prove it was the work of some infamous scoundrel, who de- 
 sired to bring ruin upon him and injure his chances with her, and who 
 counterfeited his (Kelsey's) handwriting in the letters for that purpose. 
 Some of his communications to her were innocent enough, samples of which are 
 here given. Singular as it may appear, the title Carthalo " is appended to 
 each, but as he was in the habit of writing over this signature whenever the 
 vagary inspired him, the use of it in these instances may not aj^pear so inex- 
 plicable. 
 
 These verses and the accompanying prose contain nothing that would 
 Bhock the purest nature, and are innocent enough for a lady's album : 
 
 TO LILLY. 
 
 Thou, amid beauty's light art going. 
 
 Had ever form thy kindling eye? 
 Its bright, celestial beams are flowing 
 
 Like star light from the sky. 
 
 Like an angel fair thou art gliding 
 Amid dewdrops and rainbow hues, 
 
 As rosy-fingered morn is guiding 
 Day to shades that twilight strews. 
 
 Fresher than morning's pearly dew 
 
 May thy beauty ever be — 
 Not fading as the flowers that strew 
 
 With petals a path for thee. 
 
 Shining like the stars above thee 
 With beauty's sacred glow, 
 , , With a constant heart to love thee, 
 
 Mayest thou onward go. 
 ^ , Cabthalo. 
 
TARRIKG AND FEATIIERIxXG OUTRAGE. 
 
 27 
 
 Julia, dear, you arc a beautiful girl and I wish the whole world should 
 know it. Cling to tnc, my love, and your name and memory will yet l)e 
 admired. Don't fear to act, darling. You will triumph at last if you do 
 not lose heart. Be a heroine, Julia, and confide in me and all will be well. 
 Good-by, darling! Cautiiai.o. 
 
 The following letter bears the impress of sincerity and deep earn est ne.«;s, 
 and a perusal of it will carry the conviction that at times Kelsey'.s inten- 
 tions were not altogether dishonorable : 
 
 De.vu Julia: — Don't let any one see this letter, will you, darling?. 
 Julia, my dear girl, if you are willing to be my wife, it does not matter 
 how it is brou<«:ht about now, as lon^c as the world kno.ws not of it. You 
 will find in the ca])acity of wife the sweetest of existence. The joy and 
 delight of realized love will repay you for all you have endured to gain 
 them. If you will consent to be married I will do all 1 promised you. 
 The volume of poetry will be published for you. You will have a nice 
 house built for you. We will take a trip to Europe aiid visit England 
 and France. You will then, deary, be the first young lady in Huntington 
 Avho has gone to Europe and won through her love and heroism a volume 
 of poems which may yet give her a title to remembrance. But if you wish 
 to win all tiiis, you must l)o bold and fearless, throwing aside all fear and 
 shame, and resolutely facing the issue, determined that you will succeed. 
 This is the only way, the only hope of gaining the ends I trust you are 
 seeking. If you are willing to look me in the face with your sweet, loving 
 eyes, you ought not to be as'iamed to come to my arms when a good 
 opportunity presents itsolf. You will never regret it. 
 
 Don't you think you had better let me sec you on some Sunday evening 
 after your company has gone? I will meet you in the basement of your 
 house. No one need know anything about it. I shall never say a word 
 of it. You will be safe, deary. There is nd cause for either fear or shame. 
 You are dohig jierfectly right in encouraging one who has dono so much for 
 yon, and see that your folks do not defeat you and spoil vo'ir plans. 
 Should I not see you I will write as usual, and you can keep romraiiy the 
 same as ever. 
 
 You must be shrewd and cover your purposes well if von wisli to suc- 
 ceed. Let us see if we cannot get along without any moie tronbie. I 
 wish to make everything as pleasant to you as I possibly can. I earnestly 
 hope, darling, your dreams of life may be fully realized. I think, my 
 dear, if trust and confidence are placed in me your dream will be realized.' 
 
 Caktiialo. 
 
 When it was found that the poor deluded Kelsey would not cease his 
 unmanly pei-secutions of his own free will, it was suggested bv friends of 
 the family that Miss Julia should invoke the aid of the law in her behalf; 
 but when she was told that if legal proceedings were instituted s!ie would 
 have to appear as a witness in the case, her natural modesty rebelled at the 
 thought of appearing in public and relating the disgraceful ^tory of her 
 wrongs, and the project was at once abandoned. 
 
 At this juncture Dr. Banks, with others, figures in the scene in the 
 capacity of a mediator, to put a stop to the disgusting annoyances to which 
 Miss Smith was subjected. 
 
2S TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 Kelse/ was warned in a friendly way to desist, but he did not heed the 
 warning. Even Mrs. Oakley attempted to remonstrate with him, and 
 pointed out the folly of his course. 
 
 One evening, according to the statement of a neighbor, when he had 
 called to press his claims for an audience with Miss Julia, she met him at 
 the door. She told him he would not trouble her in that way if her hus- 
 band was alive; and he, with an insinuating sneer, said, Maybe I 
 wouldn't." ''You know," continued Mrs. Oakley, ''if Miss Smith had a 
 brother or father you would not torment her thus." His reply was simi- 
 . larly defiant. 
 
 / It is necessary to insert the following letter, written nearly four years 
 ago, to show how persistently Kelsey labored to secure a return of his affec- 
 tions. The name of the writer is omitted. In it the author intercedes, in 
 a spirit of friendliness, for the unhappy girl. It reads as follows : 
 
 Mr. Chakles Kelsey. 
 
 Dear Sir: — It is rather a delicate duty I have been called upon to do; 
 it is in reference to your persistent endeavors to make Miss Julia Smith 
 receive your attentions. I have been called upon as a friend and neighbor 
 to put a stop to your continued insults to this young lady, without a father 
 or brother to protect her. You have been told by herself that she did not 
 wish your society in any way. Her grandmother has also spoken to you 
 and asked you to stop. This has all been done hoping you would take 
 consideration and put an end to dogging a young and unguarded lady, 
 wherever she should go in the evening. Your letters to her also are an 
 outrage to civilization ; even by these you have made yourself amenable 
 to the laws of your town. I have been grieved for a long time to see the 
 unhappiness of a neighbor in being compelled to stay at home for fear of 
 meeting a young man brought up in her own community. It is a shame 
 and disgrace. I hope you will take this warning from a friend and desist 
 all interference with this young lady. We do not wish to bring it before 
 the public, but if not stopped immediately we will be compelled to do so. 
 Some of your letters are at hand, and others have been read by some of 
 the neighbors, that are ready to come forward with what you have written. 
 I, as a friend, desire your good as well as others, and hope there will be 
 nothing further, but will drop right here. You certainly know that you 
 cannot compel a young lady to accept your society. 
 
 Yours, respectfully, 
 December 20th, 1869. J . 
 
 To this a remarkable answer was at once returned, which is given below, 
 verbatim et literoiim. 
 
 Huntington, December 20th, 1869. 
 
 Mr. . 
 
 Sir: — The most that I have to say in answer to your insulting note of 
 the 20th is that, if I ever receive another such an one from you, I shall 
 issue immediate summons for you to appear before a Court of Justice. 
 
 You evidently know nothing of what you are doing, and it is this fact 
 alone that shields you from the utmost rigor of the law. If you suppose 
 you have ability to effect what persons of greater means and stronger heads 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGR 29 
 
 than yourself have MM to do, you are a sillier man tlian I Bupposed you 
 were. 
 
 As to the affair of which you have made yourself the oracle I will say 
 that there are two sides to this, as there are to most otiier questions; but 
 what has been done upon the young lady's side I shall not stoop so low 
 as to inform such an intermeddler as you are. But I will say, for your 
 special benefit, that you had better be a little careful, as you are intruding 
 yourself upon matters, the result of which, in reference to yourself, may 
 cost you more than all you possess. It is only your presumed ignorance 
 of the true state of things that prevents me from making you immediately 
 such an example as would effectually deter all others from following in 
 your footsteps. 
 
 The young lady has friends powerful enough to put a stop to all this 
 if slie wishes it without their calling upon you ; they are only making a 
 tool of you, and I am sorry to say, sir, that you have not sense enough to 
 know it. Charles G. Keusey, 
 
 P. S. — You need not fear, sir, that I care for publicity in this matter. 
 I only wish you to take the first steps and I would sweep your fortune 
 away with a stroke. Now, sir, if you desire to come in conflict with me, 
 enter the arena and our swords will clash, and, if I am not mistaken, you 
 will find yourself to have undertaken something you have not brains 
 enough to accomplish. C . 
 
 Dr. Banks and Royal Sammis, Kelsey's successful rival, determined to 
 end the clandestine demonstrations of the latter beneath Miss Julia's window, 
 and for that purpose maintained a vigilant watch of the j)rcnHses. It was 
 decided by a few who were in the disagreeable secret, that tlie man should 
 be punished in some way or other for his audacity, and that the vile perse- 
 cutions should entirely cease. 
 
 With this object in view they took turns in guarding the house at night, ^ 
 in the hope of catching the intruder. But-Kelsoy was cuiuiing as well as 
 shrewd, and was not to be caught so easily. On one occasion Dr. Banks 
 nearly succeeded in placing his hands upon him, but the man's superior 
 fleetness of limb and the darkness aided him in effecting his escape. 
 
 The crisis at length arrived. It was determined to seize him whenever 
 the opportunity offered, and administer a coating of tar and feathers. The 
 night of the 4th of November, 1872, was chosen for the work. That 
 evening the village was overflowing with people. The spacious brick hall 
 on the main street was brilliantly lighted, and crowded with listeners. A 
 Democratic meeting was in progress; and the following day the sun would 
 dawn upon excited hosts of men arrayed in a peaceful battle for the Presi- 
 dency. At the close of the demonstration the hotels were filled with men 
 refreshing themselves at the bar, and engaged, meanwhile, in earnest con- 
 versjition. 
 
 While these scenes were transpiring in the village proper, a very different 
 one was in preparation on the premises of Mrs. Oakley. A band of masked 
 men had assembled in the rear of the widow's house to abuse and maltreat 
 a fellow being. The law that would have thrown its protecting armi 
 
30 
 
 TAEEING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 around the sacred purity of womanhood, was set aside to make room for the 
 aj3plicaLion of the most shameful indignities. 
 
 The night was intensely dark, and a chill like the breath of winter was in 
 the air, that pierced througli thick garments to the very bone. A slight 
 xviud rustled the low-hanging branches of the willow trees, that reared their 
 tall horiUs far above the murky shadows, and the vibration 'produced a 
 musical sound that was almost weird-like in its sadness. A spell seemed to 
 rest upon the face of nature, as if conscious of the tragedy about to be 
 .enacted. The cold, gliuimerhig stars shone faintly down through the gloom, 
 and twinkled over the spot which was to witness an act of cruelty that the 
 w:id, untamed savage of the plains would scorn to inflict. 
 
 In silence the disguised men awaited their victim's return from the poli- 
 tical meeting in the direction of his home. 
 
 Unconscious of his impending doom he hastens on, the chilliness of the 
 atmosphere lending speed to his steps. The darkness is all about him, but 
 in his soul there is a light and warmth that proclaim him an immortal 
 being, and that whatever sin and folly he may have been guilty of, he is 
 still an object of merciful compassion in the eyes of Him who taketh cogni- 
 zance of all His creatures. Life is sweet to him as to another, and no appre- 
 hensions of approaching danger rest upon his mind. He passes the ambush, 
 and is seized by strong and resolute hands that quickly convey him, weak 
 and trembling with the agony of his newly-awakened fear, to a spot a few 
 yards distant from the south corner of Mrs. Oakley's house. Here the 
 helpless man is laid upon the ground, while his captors deliberately proceed 
 to cut off his hair and whiskers. The former is very long, and falls iu 
 curling masses around his neck. This being completed, Kelsey was stripped 
 to the skin, and while quaking in the keen chill of the November night, 
 was treated to an application of -tar and feathers. A public exhibition of 
 him was then made for the benefit of the females who were assembled at 
 the house. Wliile they stood on the back piazza, enjoying the unusual 
 spectacle, Dr. Banks entered the yard from his house, adjoining, carrying a 
 lantern in his hand. He held it up before Kelsey to show the ladies who 
 it was. The victim, stung to desperation by his treatment, flung a boot, 
 which hit the glass and smashed it. Then the doctor swung the disabled 
 lantern around, and, whether by accident or design, it struck Kelsey on the 
 head. They then gave the shivering creature his clothes, and amid the 
 hoots and jeers of his tormentors he was allowed to depart. 
 
 Hero an important link in the chain of facts is wanting, and from the 
 time that Kelsey left the yard of the Oakley residence, the mystery has 
 continued to deepen. A murder was committed on that night, Kelsey being 
 the victim. Added to murder, and probably the cause which produced his 
 death, was a horrible and nameless mutilation. The next morning marks 
 of a severe struggle were discovered in the yard of the Kelsey residence, and 
 a fresh wagon track was traced to an unfrequented spot on Lloyd's Beach. 
 A boat was also seen in the early hours of that morning to put off from the 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 shore, with two men in it, and it was observed to contain a heavy burdea^ 
 which was not in it when the boat returned. Shortly after some articles, 
 consisting of a shirt, a boot and a necktie^ were found on the beach. The 
 lower front of the shirt was blood-stained. 
 
 These evidences, together with the sudden disappearance of Kelsey, tended 
 still more to the belief that a crime had been committed. 
 
 On an affidavit made by the brothers of the missing man, setting forth 
 their belief in his death, and that he was the victim of foul and unlawful, 
 treatment, an inquiry was opened in the village, before Justice Monfort, and? 
 the result was, that after a considerable delay. Dr. Ranks, Claudius B. 
 Prime and Royal Sam mis were jointly accused of riotous conduct, and the 
 grave charges were sustained by the Grand Jury in a subsequent indictments 
 
 The investigation caused a genuine commotion at the time, in consequence 
 of some judicial acts which were considered by the accused as irregular, and 
 which involved several arrests for contempt. 
 
 In the meantime the particulars (as far as known) of the outrage fur- 
 nished a topic for discussion by people far and wide. A wordy contest was 
 commenced in the local papers, of which there were three published in the 
 village at the time. The division of sentiment produced in this way ex- 
 tended through the whole town, and threatened to create two bitter and 
 opposing factions. The tar party, in point of numbers, was numerically^ 
 small, but wealthy and influential ; while the party that opposed the outrage, 
 and held to the principles of law and order, composed by far the larger 
 portion of the inhabitants. In all public affairs this difference of feeling' 
 was manifest. Politics was tainted with it, and it was made an issue in the. 
 local elections, which v/as respectively represented by the " tar" and "anti- 
 tar" adherents. Even the cause of religion felt the influence of the dis- 
 turbing element, and for a time it was feared that the doctrine of salvation, 
 which the Divine Master came to teach, would suffer a serious drawback by 
 the "apple of discord " which was introduced into the churches. Those 
 who felt the disgrace of the cruel outrage that, had been perpetrated in their 
 midst, could not bring themselves to beJieve that anything more was in- 
 tended on the part of Banks, Sam mis, Prime and company than a slight 
 punishment of Kelsey for his offences. It was impassible to associate the 
 thought of murder with men who had always borne so good a name in the 
 community, and from the mass of opinions this theory was adduced, that 
 those engaged in the affair were obliged to sacrifice him for their own pre- 
 servation. Although masked, and aided by tlie dai'kness, as they thought, 
 beyond the power of recognition, it transpires that Kelsey — his senses ren- 
 dered preternatural ly sharp by the horrors of his condition — did recognize 
 at least two of his assailants, and threatened them for the outrage. And 
 that they, fearing the results to them of their night's work, in the event of 
 Kelsey's putting hie threat in force, determined to finish tlie matter and 
 forever silence the tongue that might compromise their individual safety. 
 De«d men tell no tales " nught have been their motto, and, acting up im 
 3 ^ 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 this, they followed him to his home, and while he was in the yard, endeav- 
 oring to wash off the marks of his disgrace, they could have seized him and 
 pat him to death ; and then, with a desire to conceal all traces of their 
 crime, could have conveyed his body to tlie deepest spot in Lloyd's Harbor, 
 and fasten heavy weights to it that it might sink everlastingly from 
 sight. 
 
 The watch which he was accustomed to wear was found in his bedroom, 
 with the chain detached, which would imply that Kelsey must have entered 
 the house before proceeding to cleanse himself. 
 
 On the other hand, those persons who are classed as " tarites," and who 
 have feigned uncommon sympathy for the men concerned in the outrage, 
 declare that Kelsey deserved all the punishment he received ; that he was 
 not murdered, and that somewhere in the United States he was in hiding, 
 waiting to consummate a terrible revenge upon his enemies. It was even 
 said that he had been seen and recognized on several occasions by persons 
 familiar with him, in public conveyances, travelling through the country. 
 These, however, were idle rumors, or else cases of mistaken identity. 
 
 It was resolved by those who were anxious to clear up the mystery, and 
 bring the guilty ones to punishment, which could not be done without the 
 discovery of more positive proof, that the authorities should move vigor- 
 ously in the matter. 
 
 To this end the supervisor of the town offered a reward of $750 for the 
 production of the body of Charles G. Kelsey, dead or alive, which was in- 
 creased by the further sum of $500 promised by his relatives. 
 
 But the offer of a reward brought no tidings of his fate ! 
 
 The ice which sealed up the waters of the harbor prevented any search 
 for the remains, and with the reflection that time, perhaps, 'Would unravel 
 the tangled and mysterious affair, the people rested from their excitement, 
 and the popular interest decidedly abated. 
 
 Meanwhile Miss Julia Smith, the young lady who had been the cause 
 of all the trouble, was allied in marriage to Royal Sammis, and the tragic 
 end of poor Kelsey was somewhat forgotten. 
 
 The time rolled on until nearly ten months had passed away. The dark 
 and dreadful secret still lay hidden deep down in the hearts of the perpe- 
 trators of the deed, where it must have gnawed like a canker-worm, filling 
 them with all the tormenting horrors of a bitter remorse. 
 
 The waves that dashed their foaming sides against the lonely beach, or 
 rippled along the shore, seemed to utter in monotonous pleadings, "Where 
 is Kelsey!" The very trees that spread out their thick, interlacing 
 branches to catch the pure sun-light of heaven, and rustled their myriad 
 leaves in the gently passing breeze, caught up the sad refrain and joined to 
 the echo, " Who were his murderers ? " 
 
 But an unexpected retribution was at hand ! 
 ^ On the 29th day of August, 1873, two fishermen, John A. Fraaklin and 
 ^ "William B. Ludlam, while out in two small boata in Oyster Bay, noticed a 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 35 
 
 singular object floating on the water. A close inspection proved it to be 
 the nether portion of a human body. When this discovery was made, a 
 suspicion at once flashed across their minds that it was the remains of the 
 missing Kelsey. They fastened a line to it and towed it ashore, and if)ime- 
 diately notified the Coroner. 
 
 At once the important news spread with the speed of lightning to the 
 adjoining villages, and aroused the inhabitants to a wonderful pitch of 
 excitement. The all-absorbing story was on every tongue, and the agita- 
 tion was tenfold increased when the character of the mutilations, which the 
 remains showed indubitable evidence of, became known. 
 
 In the midst of the prevailing tumult, there were found many who seri- 
 ously questioned the identity of the remains with Kelsey, and treated the 
 whole matter with apparent contempt. Tiiese none-believers were princi- 
 pally of the tar party, including that class of doubters who view every 
 thing with distrust that does not agree with their mode of reasoning. 
 
 The portion of the body found was encased in a pair of black pants. A 
 gold watch chain, discolored by long remaining in the water, was hanging 
 to the inside of them, and in one of the pockets a small piece of a rubber 
 comb. 
 
 At the opening of the inquest, which drew a very large crowd of spec- 
 tators from the surrounding country, the first witness called was John A. 
 Franklin, one of the finders of the body, He testified substantially as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " While out in a small boat, midway between Plumb Point and MoWs 
 Point, over what we call ^ The Appletrees,^ I saw a black object on the 
 surface of the water, and as such sights were customary I did not pay any 
 particular attention to it ; I was about to draw my dredge, when my com- 
 panion, William B. Ludlam, said, ^ John, here is a body ! ^ I pulled up my 
 dredge and deposited it in the boat, and went towards Ludlam's ; when I 
 got close enough to see the object plainly, I said, ^It is nothing but a pair of 
 pants ! ' Believing what I said to be true, I took hold of the pants and then 
 discovered it was part of a carcass. ^ Great God! John,^ said I, Mt is a 
 body, with nothing but the hip bones left!' I told Ludlam to tic a piece 
 of string that was in the bow of my boat to the band of the pants, and 
 secure it to the boat; he then said he would toss up with me to see who 
 would tow it to More's Point ; I said I would not, and told him to tow 
 the body, and I would row ahead and go for the Coroner. . . . When 
 the body was found it was covered with sea spiders." 
 
 William B. I^udlam corroborated the statement of the previous witness, 
 as regards the finding of the body, in all its details. 
 
 Mr. William S. Kelsey, the youngest brother of the deceased, was next 
 called. His testimony is important concerning the question of identity. 
 It is as fellows : 
 
 *'I have viewed the remains found in the bay, and have recognized them 
 ^ ^hose of my brother ; this recognition was caused by the tar and feathcra 
 
36 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 and the watcli chain, which has been in the family for twenty years ; the 
 comb is also the one carried by him ; the pants I cannot recognize positively, 
 for the reason that they are worse for being in the water, but it is my belief 
 that the pants found are those of my brother, for they were black cloth and 
 cut tight, and fitted very well ; on the 4th of November last, at noon, I saw 
 my brother for the last time ; on that night (Monday) he went to the town 
 to attend a democratic meeting, and was tarred and feathered ; I never saw 
 him after that day, and none of the family have since heard of him ; this 
 chain (chain handed to witness) is my brother's ; he had worn it for years ; 
 it was a small chain, and he often remarked that it was too small ; I have 
 seen him tie it together/' 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Willetts, a sister of Kelsey, also fully identified the chain, and 
 was very much affected at sight of it. 
 
 The following medical testimony of Dr. M. Cory will explain the con- 
 dition in which the remains were found : 
 
 "Am a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons; was called 
 by Coroner Baylis on Friday, about ten o'clock in the morning, to view the 
 remains found in the bay ; I found that the parts were much decomposed ; 
 the bones of the pelvis on the inner side were devoid of flesh, but on the 
 thighs there was a considerable amount which, although decomposed, was 
 intact ; the lower extremities were entirely denuded of flesh ; on closer ex- 
 amination I found that the parts of the anatomy between the pelvis and 
 knees were missing ; I examined it rather closely, and found that the inner 
 surface of the scrotum was there ; the fact of this being the case I am in- 
 clined to the belief, or, I should say, it leaves a doubt in my mind, as to 
 whether it was done by violence ; I have seen corpses in tlie Morgue of New 
 York where these parts were missing, but they as a general thing were 
 found in a nude state, and it was impossible to determine whether they were 
 drowned with or without clothes ; I am of the opinion that it was the work 
 of violence, and from the part that remains, think that the operation, if such 
 it was, was performed in a great hurry, thus leaving the part of which I 
 gpoke ; the flesh from the lower extremities was, in my opinion, eaten by 
 fish, for it presented a very jagged appearance, very unlike that of a body 
 or part worn away or decomposed by the action of water ; the remains of 
 the missing part were not at all jagged, they being smooth and regular ; the 
 surface of the legs where there was most tar seemed to be better preserved 
 than the other part not so well covered ; I took two very large bundles of 
 feathers from the part I spoke of, but they did not seem to adhere; I just 
 lifted them gff ; I have not the means of knowing whether the black substance 
 that I saw on the body was tar or not ; in my opinion it was tar, but it is 
 not professional, and consequently unreliable ; if the body had been in the 
 water without weights it would have come to the surface in about a month 
 or less, that being about the time that the gases take to generate ; if the man 
 committed suicide he would have come up at the time I speak of; if the 
 body has been floating since December, I don't see why the other part is not 
 (here also." 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 37 
 
 The family of the unfortnnate man, wliose tragic end was thus made ap- 
 parent by the casting up of the waters, acce})ted the remains for burial with 
 full faith in their identity, and preparations were at once made for the 
 funeral. They deeply felt the afiliction that had come upon them in the 
 loss of a brother, and the horrible nature of his sufferings, ere he succumbed 
 to his cruel fate, opened afresh the bitter fountain of their anguish, and tiieir 
 grief was poignant and unrestrained. 
 
 As if to mock at the awful gravity which shrouded the case, and perhaps 
 to avert the terrible wave of indignation that was fast setting in against the 
 perpetrators of the unnatural crime, some unprincipled persons posted, under 
 cover of darkness, the following offensive lines on a tree in a conspicocus 
 part of the village. The handwriting was evidently disguised : 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 The funeral services of " Legs" w^ill be conducted on Wednesday after- 
 noon, at two o'clock, by the Rev. W. W. Knox, in the Presbyterian church 
 of this village. The services are expected to be deeply interesting, so much 
 of" Legs' " past and present history being known. A choir will be fur- 
 nished for the occasion, composed of some of our greatest citizens, namely ; 
 
 Charles Duryea, alias Cyclops, 
 
 Old General, 
 
 Big Bill Sammis, 
 
 Charles Street, 
 
 Pete Trainer, 
 
 Who will sing selections from the ''Old Burying Ground," and "The 
 Vale of Huntoria," etc. 
 
 Charles G. Kelsey may be present to entertain the assembly with 
 Bome of his latest travels. 
 
 Squire Monfort will also address the meeting. 
 
 D. W. Conk LIN, 
 Joe Hendrickson, 
 Thomas Aitkins, 
 Jim Smith, 
 
 Ansel Gildersleeve. 
 
 This piece of diabolism met with the denunciation it justly deserved on 
 the part of the people, some of whom tore it down and indignantly destroyed 
 it The names appended to it are those of prominent residents of the town 
 belonging to the anti-tar faction, and their use, of course, was wholly un- 
 authorized. Never before in her history has Huntington witnessed a funeral 
 of such large dimensions. The day of its appointment dawned bright and 
 fair, and crowds of people from the country for miles around assembled to 
 do honor to the fragmentary remains of Charles G. Kelsey, and to manifest 
 by their presence t'le great sympathy they felt for the bereaved family. No 
 morbid curiosity inspired them, but it was the great out-pouring of the 
 popular verdict of condemnation, expressed in a silent and unobtrusive 
 ZEianncr. 
 
 The Second Presbyterian Church, where the services were held, was filled 
 
S8 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 to overflowing. Many ladies in the congregation wore the emblem of sor- 
 row, black being the predominating color. Previous to the opening of the 
 services, and just before the Kelsfey family entered the building, the organ 
 pealed forth the slow and solemn measures of a dirge. The impressive 
 strains trembled over the heads of the audience, and floated out upon the 
 still air, whence it was borne upward to the blue vault of heaven ! Within 
 the edifice every form was bowed, until the soft music that thrilled the soul 
 with its gentle cadence had ceased. Shortly after the mourners entered. 
 ,Not a sound broke the stillness of the room but the subdued tones of weep- 
 iiig, as the afflicted relatives took their places. Then a wail of heartrending 
 anguish caused the tears to fall from many an eye. A gentleman was seen 
 to rise up from his seat, and tenderly support the stricken form of a lady 
 down the centre aisle. Her face presented all the appearance of overwhelm- 
 ing sorrow. Convulsive sobs filled her bosom and escaped from her parted 
 lips. This was Miss Charlotte Kelsey, a sister of the dead man. The 
 gentleman upon whom she leaned was her brother, and he was removing 
 her to the open air, where she might recover her self-possession. Just before 
 reaching the door her emotions overpowered her and she burst into a violent 
 fit of weeping. The incident created a profound impression upon the audi- 
 ence. At the close of the services, which were listened to with rapt atten- 
 tion, the funeral cortege took up its line of march to the " Old Burying 
 Hill." In this consecrated inclosure, hallowed as the resting place of the 
 Huntington dead for over a century and a half, and in the midst of the 
 graves of his departed ancestors, were deposited all that was left of the mor- 
 tal remains of the man whose sad and untimely fate had stirred the hearts 
 of the people of the entire country. 
 
 At the resumption of the inquest, which was continued after adjournment 
 from day to day, testimony of a very important nature was elicited from the 
 various witnesses that were called upon the stand. 
 
 The following evidence of Mr. Arthur T. Hurd, a gentleman who saw 
 the affair from a cluster of bushes, will be found highly interesting: 
 
 " Was in Huntington on the night of November 4th, 1872; at about nine 
 o^clock I passed the ncigliborhood of Mrs. Oakley's ; I was attracted by a 
 man coming out of the front door with a lantern ; he came out in an excited 
 manner ; knowing the trouble the family had, I crossed over and entered the 
 gate and passed on the west side of the house to a clump of bushes; in the 
 rear of the house I found a number of men ; I don't know who the men 
 were ; they were masked ; one of them came towards me, looked at me, but 
 said nothing; I tlien got close to them, and saw them surrounding a man 
 whom they were raising from the ground ; as near as I could see he was sit- 
 ting down ; after they lifted him they began to take off all his clothes ; I 
 was about fifteen feet from them when this was being done ; I saw them 
 strip him; when this was done one man came up with a small tin pail; 
 know it was tin by light shining on it; the man who had the pail then took 
 out what looked like a brush and painted him on the back, breast, and arms; 
 
i 
 
 ./ 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 41 
 
 it seemed to me that they did it in stripes ; another came with a basket and 
 emptied the feathers contained in the basket over his head ; then covered 
 him with a sack or j ickct, from his waist downward; they tied a string 
 around his waist to iioid whatever they had around him ; they tiien tied him to 
 a tree with his hands behind him ; they then went away and left iiim a lew 
 minutes, then came back and untied him ; then I heard a noise of hooting; the 
 deed was done thirty feet south of the house, and on the west side of the k)t ; 
 when tlie noise was made some parties came out of the house and stood on 
 the back stoop ; the noise was evidently a signal for the people to come out 
 and see the man ; some peo[)le came from the east side of the house ; I re- 
 cognized Mr. Wood on the stoop, for I knew him well ; the ladies I did not 
 know or recognize; when the men came back to loosen Kelsey, one of them 
 came near to me, and I said to the masked man, ^ Let him off;' he paid 
 no attention, and walked off; after this I noticed some of the people goings 
 so I started to go, too ; I was at times closer to Mr. Kelsey than fifteen feet; 
 I put up my hands several times to save Kelsey from falling on me ; I sup- 
 pose it was from weakness.'' 
 
 Frederick Titus, a negro, who was in the employ of ^Ir. John Sammis, 
 the father of Royal, down to the time he was subpoenaed as a witness by the 
 Town Constable, came on the stand, and though seemingly very unwilling ta 
 testify, was unable to withstand the severity of the questions put to him, and 
 much valuable evidence, having a direct bearing on the case, was elicited : 
 
 "I recollect the night of November 4th, when the tarring and feathering 
 took place; on Sunday, the day previous, I saw Royal fixing a little cudgel, 
 putting a string in it; it was a little thicker than a hoe-handle and about 
 two feet long ; it was an oak cudgel, I think ; he bored a hole through it with a 
 gimlet, and put a piece of tarred string through it; he and I were both in 
 the barn at the time ; a boy named Bill Leonard, who lives in the third 
 house from Mr. Sammis', was in the barn also ; Leonard is about 14 years 
 old ; this was about eleven o'clock in the morning. Royal didn't say any- 
 thing tlien, 'cause, I s'pose, he didn't want the boy to hear; the boy went 
 out the front door, and I went out into the cowyard; Royal put the club in 
 a wagon ; it was a large wagon, with one seat; he went into the village 
 that night with that wagon ; on that same Sunday night Royal told me to» 
 come to Mrs. Oakley's after him, and I went after him with that wagon- 
 Royal went up to the village in the afternoon with Rudolph (Royal Sammis^ 
 brother.) I went for Royal about nine o'clock on Sunday night, and the 
 club was in the wagon then; I did not bring Royal home at onco from 
 Oakley's; I drove the wagon under Pop Powell's hotel shed ; Royal came- 
 tome under the shed about twelve o'clock at night; there were three or 
 four people with him ; they backed out the wagon, and after they got into- 
 the wagon they said they didn't catoh Kelsey that night; they were all 
 talking about not catching Kelsey ; there was Royal Sammis, RudnlpK 
 Bammis and James Oonklin, the one that has sold out and gone away to- 
 Canada since ; they then said Kelsey should be caught, and they'd catch 
 
42 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 him ; thqy rode in the wagon with me all the way down home and were 
 talking; they drove Conklin home first; I don't remember a word they said." 
 
 Q. Did they say they had seen Kelsey ? A. (smiling) I think they said 
 they did see him; they said he jumped over the fence and came into Mrs. 
 Oakley's yard; the club was taken out of the wagon by Royal, who put it 
 on his arm and went away ; he left his coat, liat, cuffs, necktie and collar 
 in the wagon under the shed ; he piit on a kind of a long coat or gown ; he put 
 some black thing over his face; I suppose he tied it on ; I didn't see it plain ; 
 when I drove down to Powell's first, I went under the shed ; then I wai-ted 
 there an hour, and then went down to Mrs. Oakley's; then I took Royal 
 into the wagon, and drove back with him under Powell's shed ; it was then tiiat 
 Royal put these things on; there was no one under the shed but Royal and 
 myself then ; when he left the shed he went toward Mrs. Oakley's ; he didn't 
 tell me where he was going, but told me to wait till he came back ; it was 
 ten o'clock when he went away; he had a different hat and left his best hat 
 in the wagon; he took a sort of old slouch hat; he didn't say anything 
 about Kelsey till he came back ; I think it was about half-past one wlien 
 he came back under the shed ; I think it was two o'clock when we got 
 home ; he didn't tell me that night what he was going to do, but he told me 
 Sunday morning what he was going to do ; he said he was going to tar 
 and feather Mr. Kelsey (sensation in the room); that was before the boy 
 came into the barn; he was alone with me; when Rudolph and Conklin 
 •came back with Royal under the shed they had on plain citizen's clothes ; 
 they had no canes or clubs; I don't know whether there were any visitors 
 at the house on Monday, for I was off in the lot; I saw a wagon drive up to 
 the house on Sunday, and I think there was one young man in it ; I pee])cd 
 through a crack in the barn and saw the wagon come up; I don't know 
 ^vhose wagon that was; it stopped there about half an hour; I was at din- 
 ner at noon, Monday, and at supper at sundown, but sav,- no visitors at the 
 house either time; Royal started with his brother Rudolph to the villa^-e 
 just about dusk on Monday, after I got back from the lot ; I saw a red 
 blanket in their wagon; I didn't hear Royal say anything about this 
 Kelsey affair on Monday; Rudolph and Royal got home about eight or nine 
 o'clock that night; I was in bed ; they opened tiie door of the Iioufc and 
 came in, and I heard them tell their father they had tarred and feathered 
 Kelsey; I have heard that Kelsey was tarred and feathered that night ; 
 I don't know (here witness gets terribly confused and prevaricates shock- 
 ingly) at what time it was done; I don't know at what time they came 
 home; I only guess at it ; I was in bed ; I generally went to bed along ten, 
 eleven or twelv^e o'clock; the only mask I saw was the one Royal jiut on ; 
 -when Royal came under the shed he took the things off and put them in 
 the w^agon ; I suppose he put them in the wagon and took them home; I 
 didn't see him take them out of the wairon when we got home ; I suppose 
 they were in the wagon on Monday morning. 
 
 Q. Why didn't you tell this when you were on the stand before? 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 43 
 
 A. Mr. John SammLs (Royal's father) requested me not to say anytliing 
 about it, as he said if I did they'd keep me on the stand all winter. (Con- 
 siderable laughter.) Royal Sammis also told me not to say anythiiif^ about 
 it; they didn't say they would discharge me; I was subpoenaed tliis morn- 
 ing; I heard Royal say the other day that this body was not Kelsey's ; I 
 have not talked with Mr. Sammis about it to-day at all ; I jumped in tlie 
 wagon and came right over ; the folks at Mr. Sammis' said I could come 
 over with them. (Laughter.) On that Sunday night I didn't see anybody 
 else at Mrs. Oakley's ; I did hear something; I heard a man lying under a 
 bush in front of Mrs. Oakley's house say Ahem!" It was a close black 
 looking bush ; I thought it was strange ; Royal came out of the front door 
 of the house; I didn't say anything to him about it; he didn't say any- 
 thing to me when he got into the wagon; he took the lines and drove under 
 Powell's shed; the clothes he put on were brought from the house; I 
 saw Royal put something in the wagon before I left the house ; he came 
 out of Mrs. Oakley's as soon as I drove up ; the red blanket in the wagon 
 was a striped red horse-blanket ; it is at the house now. 
 
 Q. You told Frank Sammis you saw a striped suit ? A. I don't think 
 exactly that it was a striped suit ; it was the suit I saw Royal have under 
 the shed ; I suppose it was fixed up for that night (rather uneasily) ; I don't 
 know nothing about that (laughter) ; the coat was a long one, I don't know 
 if it was a coat or a gown; I saw him putting a black thing over his face; 
 I think^he fastened it with a string; it was on Tuesday morning Mrs. Sam- 
 mis cried about this thing; I was in the kitchen when they were talking 
 about it, eating my breakfast; Royal laughed and his mother cried ; Royal 
 said they had tarred and feathered Kelsey, and he never saw such a sight in 
 his life; on Tuesday night I heard them talk about it, and Royal said he 
 didn't touch Kelsey ; Royal said he was very sorry for Kelsey (laughter) ; 
 Royal w^as not in the habit of staying up here on week-days from his busi- 
 ness in the city, except on his June vacation ; I didn't see or smell any tar ; 
 we had the bay mare on Monday night ; I cleaned the mare off next morn- 
 ing ; there was no sign of sweat about her ; the back of the wagon does not 
 let down ; I went to bed between eight and nine o'clock Monday night, 
 November 4th ; Royal and Rudolph came home about twenty minutes after 
 I went to bed; they said Kelsey had been tarred and feathered; I didn't 
 hear the clock strike; the clock is a dumb clock. (Repressed laughter.) 
 
 To District Attorney Tuthill. — I sometimes wake up in the night; I woke 
 u{) along two or three o'clock that night; I don't know what woke me up; 
 when I wake up in the night I generally go to sleep again (more laughter) ; 
 next day Mrs. Sammis said she felt very sorry about Kelsey ; that was 
 when she cried ; it was before breakfast. 
 
 The next witness called was Peter Fagan, a native of Ireland. His 
 evidence bore directly on the tragedy, as will be seen by the following: 
 
 " I live at the point lot, near Lloyd's Beach, on West Nook, Suffolk county; 
 my house is 60 or 70 rods right from the beach ; I turned out of bed bctwcea 
 
44 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 three and four oelock on the morning of November 5th, and went for a 
 couple of buckets of water; I heard a kind of a rattling noise toward the beach, 
 as of a wagon or a boat, and I heard a cry of a voice as if in distress ; the 
 noise was like the rattling of tramping on loose boards ; the voice sounded 
 like this, ^Oh ! Oh !^ (imitating the sound of the voice); then in a minute 
 or so the noise and the voice were both still ; I thought some one might be 
 getting up sail on a boat or a sloop and got hurt; I could not tell whether 
 the noise was of a wagon or a boat; the noise lasted, perhaps, seven or 
 eight minutes; the next time I heard the voice it was low and weak and 
 seemed further off; I heard no noise of water except the watery splash of 
 the waves on the beach ; there was hardly a breath of air stirring, and it 
 was very dark ; I thought at first it was a struggle, or that some one 
 aboard of a vessel had got caught with a block or something ; I was about 
 ten or fifteen rods from the spring ; the noise came from the direction of the 
 beach, west of where I was ; the voice I heard was a human voice ; I never 
 heard such a noise as that was before nor since ; I heard the noise of the 
 waves coming from the same direction as the voice ; the middle of the chan- 
 nel of Lloyd^s Harbor is not more than twenty-five rods from my house; the 
 noise I heard came from Cold Spring Bay direction ; whenever the steam- 
 boats pass you can hear the splash of the waves at my house ; I never 
 noticed when they were not passing; the noise I heard was like the stamp- 
 ing of feet^in the bottom of a boat or a wagon ; I heard the splashing of 
 the waves during the whole time the noise lasted, and when the noise 
 ceased everything was still ; I asked Captain Howard next morning if there 
 was any vessel anchored off there that night, and he said there was none ; I 
 don't know whether there was wind enough to make a ^ swash' on the 
 beach ; the rattling noise sounded as if the wagon or boat was still ; I heard 
 no sound of rowing a boat that night; I have never heard a boat rowed 
 with muffled oars ; I didn't hear any wagon that night ; the voice I heard 
 was like a cry of a man in pain.'' 
 
 A well-known citizen and hardware merchant of Huntington, Mr. John 
 McKay, was next sworn. He testified : 
 
 "I live on the main street of Huntington, ten or fifteen rods from Mrs. 
 Oakley's house ; I was on Mrs. Oakley's premises on the evening of No- 
 vember 4th ; I was on my way home past her house and saw the gate open 
 and a man standing inside ; I saw the man, and knowing there was no man 
 living there, and, as the family had requested me to have a look-out, I then 
 went over to see who it was ; it was Dr. Banks, and he said there was a 
 crowd of men in the back yard, and that they had Kelsey there ; he asked 
 me and my wife to come over, and said he was going to William J. Wood's ; 
 I don't remember anything I said to him in reply ; I then left and went 
 across the street to go home ; I don't know which way Dr. Banks went ; he 
 said he was going to ask Mr. and Mrs. Wood to come over ; I went and 
 spoke to my wife, and then we went over to Mrs. Oakley's ; we went in at 
 the front door ; I saw Mr. and Mrs, Wood, Dr. Banks and Mrs. Oaklej ; 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 45 
 
 there appeared to be some other persons there ; I could not remember for 
 the life of me what they were talking about ; they were talking about Kel- 
 sey and about the crowd in the yard ; all seemed to start out at one time; 
 there was some one said something about a racket in tlie yard ; I saw a man 
 a few feet from the house gathering up some clothes among a few trees and 
 shrubbery ; the clothes looked like a shirt and socks ; there was something 
 peculiar in his appearance; he appeared to be a sort of tan color; he was 
 about twelve feet from me; I went down the path and followed him along; 
 some ladies (?) who were there, my wife, and some others, followed behind 
 us; he was naked all about his body and legs; he held some clothes 
 about him." 
 
 Q. Was he tarred and feathered ? A. I don't know ; there were some 
 few feathers on him. 
 
 Q. Did you smell tar? A. Yes, I smelled some tar about there; Dr. 
 Banks had a lantern ; I took a small lamp with me, also, as I went out ; 
 Dr. Banks was ahead of me and stepped on a grass plat and held up the 
 lantern and asked, " Who is it?" that was after he had told me he supposed 
 it was Kelsey ; Kelsey came towards Banks, and struck the lantern with his 
 boot and then hit Dr. Banks on the shoulder with the boot ; as he hit him, 
 Dr. Banks' lantern flew up and hit Kelsey on the shoulder; Kelsey went 
 on down the path ; I saw some disguised people there ; some of them de- 
 tained him ; Mrs. Oakley said that was the man that came into her house; 
 Miss Smith said she wanted the neighbors to understand that she had never 
 encouraged him in coming there ; she said something about his coming there 
 one Sunday. 
 
 Q. Have you ever heard about Miss Smith placing a light in the base- 
 ment window and walking back and forth to decoy him into the premises 
 so that he might be caught? A. I don't know that I have; I may have 
 heard something of that kind in conversation, but I don't know of it; I 
 understand that sometimes when a young man she was keeping company 
 with left her evenings, she would take the lamp to go down into the base- 
 ment to get something to eat (laughter) ; I did not recognize any of the 
 disguised pei-sons; some of them made grunting noises; they kept back 
 in the bushes ; some of the disguised men had their hats pulled over their 
 eyes and their collars turned up ; I saw Kelsey three rods from the gate 
 after he left the yard, going out ; I did not see any gag in his mouth ; \im 
 hair appeared to be cut off. 
 
 Q. Don't you know his hair was cut off — not that it appeared to be cut 
 «ff ? A. Yes, it was cut off. 
 
 Q. And his moustache was cut off? A. Yes, sir, all his hair was cut off ; 
 I saw a place on his shoulder that looked like a big mole, that may have 
 been a cut; it looked red, something like as though it might have been 
 blood; the tar on him was a thin coat; it looked like a light brown; it 
 couldn't have been thick, to make that color ; there were very few feathers 
 on him ; I could see nearly his whole body ; in addition to the persons I 
 
46 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 have named there was a Miss Charlotte Merritt there ; I saw Royal Sara mis 
 in the house with Miss Julia Smith afterward ; Kelsey was not tied to a 
 tree while I was there ; I was on the premises on the Sunday night before ; 
 Dr. Banks was there that night, and Mr. Hurd, and, I think, Dr. Burgess 
 also ; I went there because Mrs. Oakley and ^liss Smith had asked me to 
 keep a v/atch, as they were annoyed ; it was near ten o'clock when I went 
 to the yard that Sunday night, and I left about half-past eleven ; I didn't 
 hear a wagon drive up that night that I know of; I heard some one go out 
 of the front door; I don't now remember hearing a wagon drive away just 
 afterward ; I was near the gate leading from Dr. Banks' yard into Mrs, 
 Oakley's yard; I had been on the look-out other nights before that; I was 
 scarcely acquainted with Royal Sammis, and never spoke to him about 
 keeping watch ; I saw no masked persons about the premises on that Sun- 
 day night; I did not see my brother George at Mrs. Oakley's on the night 
 of November 4th ; did not see my brother Duncan there ; did not see Mr. 
 Hurd there ; I saw Royal Sammis in the yard when Kelsey was there ; did 
 not hear him say anything to William J. AVood ; on the Sunday night 
 Hurd and my brother (George) had handkerchiefs tied over the lower part 
 of their faces, they were sitting in Mrs. Oakley's house, with the light 
 turned down ; I have never asked any one who the disguised persons were 
 who were in the yard that night of November 4th ; I didn't have time to 
 think about it. 
 
 Q. Did Kelsey appear to be in distress? A. No, sir; not at all. 
 
 Q. He appeared quite comfortable, did he? (Laughter.) A. No; he 
 didn't appear distressed nor comfortable. 
 
 Q. Didn't it freeze that night? A. Yes, it made ice near morning; I 
 heard Dr. Banks express regrets about Kelsey ; he said it was a shame to 
 treat him that way; that they ought to have put Kelsey under the lav/; 
 he expressed regrets generally. 
 
 Q. Did he express any regrets when he struck Kelsey on the shoulders 
 with his lantern ? A. I don't know as he did. 
 
 Q. Did he go to his assistance, or help him in any way ? A. No, sir ; 
 only he expressed his regrets. 
 
 * Q. Dr. Banks didn't do anything for Kelsey except to hit him with the 
 lantern ? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Did any one about the house seem at all surprised at the presence of 
 men on the premises in disguise? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Have you any opinion or surmises as to who those disguised per- 
 sons were? A. No; I have my business to attend to, and had no time to 
 talk to anybody about it. 
 
 To a Juror. — How came you to go there that night of the tarring and 
 feathering? A. I went there on invitation of Dr. Banks. 
 
 Juror. — Didn't you know what was going on? A. No, sir. 
 
 Juror. — Didn't you go there either to arrest or to protect Kelsey ? A. 
 No, sir. 
 
The Tarring and Feathering of Poor Kelsey. 
 After tearing the clothing from his body, and hair from his head, they cut off his whiskera. 
 
 ®a« 3;f;eercn unb gebern beS armen Selfet). 9lQrf)bem fie i[)m boS Bcug Dom fieibc geritfcn unb 
 bod C>aar Dom ^opfe gefc^eert fatten, [c^nttten fic i^m aud) ben Sart ab 
 
TAKRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 4^ 
 
 Jurof. — How ofteu were you in tlic habit of going to Mrs. Oakle/'gf 
 A. Very often. 
 
 Juror. — How many times — twice? A. Oh, yea; five or six times. 
 jiiPor. — Have you ever been there since? A. No, sir ; I don't know 
 that I iiavc. 
 
 Juror. — I thought not; you have had no call there since; there was 
 nothing else to be done there. A. My purpose was to detain him if he 
 at tempted to get into the house. 
 
 By Mr. Young, of Counsel for Prosecution. — Have you ever stated to 
 «ny ]K»rson that Kelsey had been well tarred and fcatlicred and covered 
 irom head to foot? A. I don^t understand what you mean by well tarred 
 and feathered; I stated it in the village next day just as I saw it; I may 
 have said so ; I should not like to be served that way — as lie was served; 
 I think he was pretty well tarred and feathered. 
 
 By a Juror. — Do you believe that Kelsey is dead? A. I have no reason 
 to believe he is; I understand a man in the village saw a part of the chaia 
 hanging to the watch ; now the chain found on the remains appears to be 
 all complete. 
 
 To Mr. Piatt, of Prc^ecution. — Mr. John M. Drake, the milkman, told 
 me that Mullin, the blacksmith, saw a part of the chain hanging to the 
 watch. I am going home to-night, and will give Mullin the subpccna to 
 attend here, if you give me the subpoena. 
 
 Coroner. — You say Mr. Banks invited you over to Mrs. Oakley's. 
 Didn't he tell you what he wanted you to come over for? A. No; on\f 
 as a neighborly visit. 
 
 Q. Was he in the habit of inviting you to Mrs. Oakley's house? A. I 
 don't know as he was. 
 
 Q. Yet you went over. It is the custom generally of people to givfi 
 neighborly invitations to their own homes? A. Yes; I went over witii 
 my wife. 
 
 By District Attorney Tuthill. — As Kelsey went out of the yard y> u n.wY 
 him go away, and some person followed him a short distance and ihca 
 returned? A. Yes, sir; I closed the gate after him ; the gate lie went out 
 at; I saw Henry R. Prime standing near; he didn't go into tlic house; 
 there was no anxiety expressed by anybody as to whether any bodily harm 
 hud been done to Kelsey. 
 
 Q. Did Dr. Banks apologize to you for inviting you over there, after 
 expressing his regret? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Did any one express any regret at having gone out, or at having gon* 
 over to see such a thing? A. No, sir. 
 
 Samuel H. Burgess, the village denti.st, was then sworn, and testified : 
 I live in the first house west of Mrs. Oakley's, on the same side of the 
 street ; I knew C. G. Kelsey ; I was at home on the evening of November 
 4th last at about half-past eight o'clock ; there arc a piazza and windowa 
 •u the east side of my Louse^ looking into Mrs. Oakley's yard ; I haaixi [la 
 4 
 
to TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 unusual noises about there that evening ; I went into my yard about half 
 an hour after I went home; I saw a light and some indistinct objects that 
 looked as though there might have been half a dozen men in Mrs. Oakley's 
 yard ; I did not go over to see what was the matter; I remained looking at 
 them ])erhaps a minute, not longer, and then went into the house ; later on 
 in the evening I smelt tar; I had no definite impression of what was going 
 on; I had a general indefinite idea; it was so indefinite that I could not 
 well explain it (subdued laughter); I had seen Dr. Banks before that; 
 he called and told rae they had caught Kelsey ; he came to my door with a' 
 lantern in his hand; that was perhaps fifteen minutes before I saw tho 
 light in Mrs. Oakley's yard ; he told me some of the neighbors were coming 
 over to see Kelsey, and asked me to go over; after that conversation I had 
 an idea that Kelsey was in the yard ; Dr. Banks said he wanted the neigh- 
 bors to assemble and confront Kelsey, to show him what the neighbors felt 
 toward him ; I did not go over; I went to Mrs. Oakley's premises to watch 
 for Kelsey, on Sunday night, November 3d; I saw two or three persons 
 there, but they were disguised ; the disguise was a mask or something 
 thrown across their faces; there was no disguise in their dross that Ire- 
 member; I remember one who, under his disguise, I took to bo Claudius 
 B. Prime; I judged it to be him by his beard ; I talked with him after- 
 wards and took him to be Mr. Prime; we were in the lot and talked in a 
 "whisper; speaking generally I should say that I then had no doubt that it 
 was Claudius B. Prime; he was disguised when . I first saw him. in Dr. 
 Banks' house; I supposed the three of them got their disguises in Dr. 
 Banks' house; Dr. Banks and his father-in-law, Mr. McDougall, passed 
 through the room ; I saw the Doctor about eleven o'clock, and ho said ho 
 thought there was no use in looking for Kelsey any longer that night, and 
 we all went homo; I had talked over the matter previously witli Dr. Banks 
 and Mr. McKay; I had also told Mrs. Oakley that I would willingly lend 
 any assistance that I could ; I was disguised on that Sabbath evening; wo 
 had no sign by which the disguised pei^sons might know each other; I 
 hoard no disturbance about my premises on the night of tho 4th ; I don't 
 know v^^herc I got that mask ; I don't know but that it was put over my 
 face just after I went into Dr. Banks' house by one of the men who wcro 
 there alreadv disL^uiscd ; I think Dr. Banks took the mask after I was 
 through with it; the mask was a sort of pasteboard mask; I don't know 
 what color mine was; but as near as I can remember one of the men had 
 on a black mask, and another had a red one; my impression is that somo ^ 
 of them had their coat collars turned up ; I think it was the man I took to 
 be Claudius Prime who fastened my mask on ; we handed our masks back 
 to the Doctor when he came around and said he thought it was no uso 
 watching longer."' 
 
 Q. Couldn't you tell who these men were after they had given their 
 masks back to the Doctor ? A. I don't think I saw them long enough 
 afterwards to identify them. 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 51 
 
 Q. Why did you wear thoso masks? A. Because if wc caught Kelsey 
 we didn't dcsiro that he should know who we were. 
 
 Q. And so if you should kill him by accident, no one should know who 
 it was? A. (smilingly) Well, that is the inference, certainly. 
 
 The testimony of some of the witnesses was often quite contradictory, 
 and it was evidently their intention to evade answering, directly^ the q!ic»- 
 tions put to them. A fear of personal injury in case they implicated sus- 
 pected })artic3 too deeply, seemed to possess them, and their conduct 
 throughout was marked by a considerable degree of embarrassment and 
 uneasiness. This was j)articularly the case with the negro, Frederick Titus, 
 whose a])prehensions of bodily harm, openly expressed, prevented his re- 
 turning to his old employer's, and after his attendance at the inquest he at 
 once hired out to a farmer living at East Neck, for whom he had formerly 
 worked. 
 
 A son of Claudius B. Prime, who was called to the stand as a witness, 
 and who was on the peliminary investigation before Justice IMonfort, at 
 Huntington, confessed that he swore falsely at that inqniry, and was ar- 
 rested on a charge of perjury, and placed under heavy bail. He is a 
 yonng man, and the owner of a fine business, and his prospects in life were 
 Inghly j>romising. It has been rumored that at the conclusion of tho 
 inquest charges of a similar nature will be preferred against others of tho 
 witnesses who have been identified with the case. 
 
 The f >llowIng is the testimony of Miss Charlotte J. Kelsey, sister of the 
 ml&sing man : 
 
 I live with n^y brother William ; Charles lived with us until the niglit 
 of November 4th last, which was the last time I ever saw him ; he left the 
 house about half-past six o'clock ; he said he was going to the village, and 
 I asked him to get me some lemons; when Charley was out we generally 
 left the doors open ; next morning before I was up brother William camo 
 to me and said, *Oh, brother Charley hasn't got h.ome;' In s.iid, * He 
 hasn't come home, and there is the light burning down on the kitchca 
 table;' his watch lay in Charley's room on the fable, with tar on ir, but 
 there was no chain on it; his cuffs were there too on so:ne boo!^^, ar.d so 
 was his worsted jacket, with tar and feathers on it; his shirt was on tho 
 bed and was torn o})cn in the back, where they had |)ulle(l it o.ThIm; 
 there was blood, hair, and tar on his white collar; that had a g-io ] Jcnl 
 of tar on it and was right down by the bed; there was tar on the shirt 
 also; the bed had not been disturbed at all ; my brothers went out to look 
 for Charley; I went to Royal Sammis' house the next night; it wr.s alu iit 
 ten o'clock when I got there; there was a good deal of whispering inside 
 their door, and I thought they would not open it; I told them they must 
 open the door, and they wouldn't, but kept on whispering, and I told them 
 I'd stay till morning if they didn't open the door; I told them what J 
 wanted, but not at first; and aflcr a while, with more whispering, Royara 
 father opened the door, and seemed afraid, and then he told me they didn't 
 
52 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 know anything about Charles ; that they hadn't done anything ; then they 
 sent up stairs for Royal, and when he came down the first I said to him 
 was, * Royal, you ought to be hung;' he braced up awfully and put out his 
 arms, and looked so ugly I was afraid of him, and didn't know what to do; 
 after awhile he began to talk, and said, * Charley looked an awful sight;' 
 Charley had often told us that Royal would murder him only for the law, 
 and he said he would never harm Royal ; Royal said he thought they 
 would make away with Charley if it wasn't for his friends; Royal said he 
 had lots of letters and had burned about forty ; Royal's father kept on 
 repeating, ^ We don't know anything about it, and hadn't had anything to 
 do with it;' the next day I went to Mrs. Oakley's, in the afternoon; Mrs. 
 Oakley opened the door, and I said to her, * Mrs. Oakley, do you know 
 anything about my brother Charles?' and she said, ^I don't know any- 
 thing about it at all ;' I said to her, ' How could you give your consent to 
 do such a thing to my brother?' and she said, *I don't know anything 
 at all. about it;' in a few minutes she contradicted herself, and said she 
 Miad talked with them about it on the day before they done it;' she was 
 dreadfully excited about it; I went to her again about it and told her, 'I 
 want to know what the last words my brother said were;' and she said, 
 'I didn't hear him say anything;' the first day I had a talk with Julia 
 Smith, and I told her she was deceiving my brother by putting the light 
 in the window so that Dr. Banks could catch him ; she said, ^ My friends 
 made me do it;' I had heard my brother say Julia wanted him to como 
 round and would leave the light for him." 
 
 Warren Howard, who lives in the vicinity of Lloyd's Beach, was next 
 called, and gave very important testimony ; 
 
 " I live about a quarter of a mile from Lloyd's Beach ; I was on the beach 
 road, near the bridge, about eight o'clock on the morning of the 5th of 
 November; I found a boot and a shirt about ten rods beyond the bridge, and 
 two lemons and perhaps a quarter of a pound of mixed candies scattered 
 along the road; the shirt was white and the whole lower part of it wa» 
 bloody ; the lemons had been squeezed till they burst open ; on the burst 
 part of one of them was a clot of blood, about as big as a kernel of corn ; 
 a man who was cutting salt grass there made the remark that he thought 
 thero had been a murder there ; that some man had been shot or stabbed 
 in the belly; I did not handle the shirt at all ; I heard a wagon pass my 
 house during the night, either the night of the 4th of November or the 
 night of the 3d or 5th ; the first time I heard it I didn't notice the time, 
 but I think it was about half an hour afterward that I heard it again ; I 
 then got up and looked at the clock, and it was a quarter to four; it was 
 being driven at a good, rapid gait ; it is somewhat unusual to hear a wagOQ 
 pass my house at that hour of the morning ; I looked out of the window 
 the second time, and the wagon was then going up the hill, back from tho 
 beach towards Huntington village ; I noticed marks in the sand along the 
 road by the beach, perhaps a quarter of a mile south of the dook ; ihey 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. W 
 
 were beyond where the candies were; the marks looked as though a person 
 had been dragged out of the road from between tlie wagon tracks into the 
 thatch grass about six or seven feet clear of the track." 
 
 Peter Trainer, Town Constable of Huntington, testified as follows: 
 '^I had a conversation with Dr. Banks, I think about two or three weeks 
 before the 1st of November ; he wanted me to assist in catching Kelsey; 
 I told him if ho would get the proper documents I would help him to 
 secure Kelsey if he was committing any depredations on Mrs. Oakley's 
 property ; he did not give me at any time a warrant for Kelsey's arrest, nor 
 did any one else; that conversation took place in front of Charles T. Dur- 
 yea's hotel ; he said he would drop a note and let me know how things 
 went on ; he told me, as near as I remember, that he would sign the note 
 ' V. C.;' I afterwards received a letter from Dr. Banks through the Post 
 office (letter shown) ; this looks like the letter; I received it, I think, on 
 the morning of the 4th, the day it was post-marked and the day Kelsey 
 was tarred and feathered; this letter was put in evidence before Justice 
 Monfort ; Dr. Banks at that time swore this letter was in his handwriting." 
 Lawyer Piatt read the letter as follows : 
 
 Peter: — Last night being stormy, only a partial watch was 'set. He 
 came on the ground, but not near enough to be taken. You will hear 
 more as things take shape; must be caught somewhere. His eye is used 
 to the dark, and may have suspected a watch and run. No stir was made, 
 BO that he didn't get only a suspicion, if that. V. C. 
 
 Witness resumed ; 
 
 ''After the night of the 4th of November I went to look for Kelsey aboirt 
 Mrs. Oakley's premises; I came up the back street, past her back yard, 
 with William Kelsey; I found near the premises of Mrs. Oakley several 
 articles; I was looking for a boot which I heard was ^out there ; i saw a 
 track of a foot, like a sort of sandal, with the sliape of a foot, consisting 
 of a mat of tar and feathers; it was as thick as the sole of my sho(> ; it 
 was on the grass, about six feet from the fence; it was a complete mass of 
 tar and feathers; I made the remark that they must have ' slathereil ' it 
 on him pretty thick ; I saw a keg hoop near her gate, under the fence, and 
 some keg staves; the staves were smeared inside with what looked like tar, 
 smelt like tar, and felt like tar (laughter); the staves looked about seven 
 or eight inches long, and the keg would, perhaps, hold two or three quarts; 
 the feathers in the lump of tar and feati)ers looked like turkey feathers ; 
 some of them were white and gr;iy ; I saw the body here at Oyster Bay 
 and pulled some of the feathers off; they were about the siinie size as those 
 I had seen in the tar lump; the white ones did not look as clear; when I 
 eearched for Kelsey, I think on Friday, the 8th of November, I had per- 
 haj>8 twenty-five or thirty men with me; I went all over that part of the 
 country ; I went up to William Kelsey's house with Alonzo Dodge and 
 John Dillon ; I went through the house from top to bottom ; then we took 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 to tho woods and went through them for a mile around in swaths so as to 
 find him; we h)okcd into cisterns; I think tiicro would be a pint of tar 
 in the lump I have spoken of if it were melted ; there was considerable 
 tar on the grass about there, where Kelsey had walked out." 
 
 The last important testimony taken before the Coroner was that of Mrs. 
 Royal Sam mis, nh Julia Smith. She gave her evidence in a clear, straight- 
 forward manner, and did not appear to suffer any serious degree of embar- 
 rassment on account of the numerous eyes that were intently watching her. 
 
 On being sworn, she testified as follows: 
 ^ "1 reside in Huntington ; I was at home on the night of November 4th, 
 1872; as nearly as I remember there were present my grandmother, Mrs. 
 Oakley, my sister Abby, Miss Lottie Merritt, and Royal Sammis ; William 
 J. Wood and wife came in in the latter part of the evening ; Mr. and Mrs. 
 John McKay came in also; Mr. Hurd did not come that I remember; I 
 don't remember whether I heard a noise or disturbance that evening; I 
 think there was no noise; I think it was about nine o'clock when I heard 
 that Kelsey had been caught; I don't remember who told me; I don't re- 
 member anything about it at all; I was in the parlor at the time; Mr. 
 Sammis was with me; I don't remember whether my sister was there or 
 not; I don't remember how I first ascertained there were men in the yard; 
 I noticed an odor like tar in iivc house; I think it was very soon after that 
 that I went out into the yard ; I saw some persons out there ; I don't know 
 how many — probably from five to ten ; I did not notice that they were 
 doing anything; I saw a queer looking object in the yard, at the rear; I 
 did not know who it was, but I supposed it was Charles Kelsey; it was 
 ^dark and I could see very indistinctly; he was walking toward the back 
 part of the yard ; I did not sec any crowd.'' 
 
 Q. You said last winter in your testimony "there were thirty or forty 
 persons there?" A. I don't remember saying that. 
 
 Q. Did you speak to Kelsey? A. I did; I did not hear him answer; 
 Iliad heard before that peojde were watching Mr. Kelsey ; I had lieard 
 that Dr. Banks wa3 walcliing for him ; I did not know that John McKay, 
 or Mr. Hurd or Claudius Piimc Avas w^atching him; I saw persons who 
 were disguised there; they had something over their faces; I could not tell 
 whether the masks were light or dark ; two disguised men stepped into the 
 hall ; in the yard I saw my sister, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, my grandmother, 
 Mrs. McKay, and Mr. Sammis; I don't recollect whether there was a light 
 when I first went out; I don't know whether any one took out the light 
 or not; I guess it was a little before ten o'clock when Royal Sammis went 
 home; I cannot tell whether the disguised men were large or small; no 
 one, to my knowledge, ordered the masked men away or expressed sur- 
 prise at their presence ; Royal Sammis went out during the evening, and 
 returned after an absence of five minutes; I don't know who went out first 
 when we went into the yard ; I don't remember hearing any noise before I 
 went out 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 57 
 
 Q. What did you say to Kclsey? A. I told him, as I had told him 
 before, tiiat he was very aunoyiug to me, and that I did not wish to receive 
 liis attentions. 
 
 Q. Have you any idea or impression, or had you any idea or impression 
 at tiiat time, who these persons in disguise were? A. I had not; 1 havo 
 heard reports, but I do not care to testify as to mere reports; I have heard 
 ninny reports. 
 
 Q. Who have you licard express an opinion as to who they were? A. 
 1 can't remember any one just now; I liave heard that my husband was 
 diso-uised, but I know he was not. (This with tremuh)usiies.s.) 
 
 To the Coroner. — When I told Kelsey lie annoyed me lie was about the 
 width of this room from me; I intended that he should hear me; I could 
 not tell whether there were feathers on him then or not. 
 
 Q. Madam, with all due respect, did Royal Sammis before your marriage 
 to him ever tell you who these masked people were? A. No, sir, neither 
 before nor after our marriage; I am willing to answer any questions as to 
 the case either occurring prior to or after our marriage. 
 
 At this stage of the proceedings it was deemed advisable, in order to fur- 
 ther the ends of justice, that a portion of the subsequent testimony should 
 be taken in private. It seemed impossible to draw any evidence out of the 
 Avitnesses for the defence, such as would lift the veil of secrecy from the 
 crime, or throw any light upon the darkness that enshrouded it. The band 
 of cons|)irators who had planned and executed the terrible deed were well 
 fortified in their determination not to reveal anything that could affect their 
 personal safety; and those witnesses who were in sympathy with them ap- 
 peared to follow a corresponding line of action, for their testimony was 
 nearly all corroboratis'c, and never seemed to conflict. 
 
 And this phase of the examination was a puzzle to every one. In an af- 
 fair where so many persons took part — the sworn evidence of Julia Smith, 
 taken at the preliminary investigation in Huntington before Justice Monfort, 
 in December, 1872, placing the number seen in the Widow Oakley's yard 
 at about forty — it seemed impossible that the foul secret could be kept in- 
 violate before the severe cross-questioning of the lawyers and the jurv, and 
 i;i spite of the firm, uncompromising tone of public opinion. It was thought 
 t'lat the witnesses would be unable to pass through the ordeal of a rigid in- 
 ([uiry without criminating the guilty parties, but such was not the case, and 
 tlie inquest was j)rol()nged from day to day, and from week to week, without 
 elicitmg any very important facts. Then it was that the coroner deter- 
 mined to examine the witnesses in secret session, nnd also because of some 
 expected testimony that was believed to be of too disgustinir a nature for the 
 public ear. This latter was supposr^d to relate to the mutilation of Kelsey. 
 Accordingly, after the opening of the court, the room was cleared of all ex- 
 c:'{)t those who were to conduct the proceedings, and the private investigation, 
 commenced. 
 
 From the testimony that was taken the following has been gleaned : 
 
6s TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 James McKay, a brother of John McKay, whose evidence appears on a 
 former page, testified that he wrote to a person named Charles Baldwin, 
 living in tiie city, asking him to come to Huntington to watch for 
 and catch Kelsey. Witness stated to Baldwin that he knew Kelsey ought to 
 be punished. He had told a number of persons that Kelsey would l)rcak into 
 Mrs. Oakley's house again after Royal Sam mis went to the city, and that 
 there ought to be j)ersons in the neighborhood to watch for and arrest him 
 
 as to identify him. He wrote to Baldwin asking him to come up and 
 assist him in the work. The object was to establish the fact of identity. 
 
 Q. Had not Kelsey already been identified as endeavoring to get into the 
 bouse, or as lingering about the premises at night? A. He had. 
 
 Q. Then were you advised that it was necessary to have him identified 
 more than once to punish him by legal means? A. No, I was not. 
 
 Q. Did you ever see him enter or leave the house? A. No; but I have 
 heard of it; I was not there at the time. 
 
 Q. Then all you know about it is from what others told you? A. No, 
 It is not ; I accused him of it face to face. 
 
 By a juror — Accusation, face to face even, does not prove a man guilty, 
 so far as I know. 
 
 Witness. — I accused him of it at the time I was up at Kelsey^s house with 
 Royal; Kelsey hung his head and said nothing. 
 
 Q. Are you certain that he made no reply of any sort to >uur remarks? 
 A. He said something to the effect that " Slie has always had the means, or 
 the power of stopping this thing ;^' after a while he said, "Then I won't 
 annoy her any more." 
 
 Q. How often have you talked with Kelsey? A. Never but once in my 
 life; I invited Royal Sammis to go with me to see Kelsey ; I conferred 
 with Royal on Sunday night, November 3d, at the First Presbyterian 
 Cliurch, before seivice, about watching and trying to catch Kelircy tliat 
 night; we agreed, and it was understood tliat as watcfi was to be kept that 
 night, Royal should come back after he had left Mrs. Oakley's house (Julia 
 Smith's residence) and help; I never heard anything al)Out tar and feathers 
 to be used before the 5ih of November; Royal said nothing about disguises 
 to be worn; I never watched for Kelsey; I proposed to Dr. Banks tlii.t 
 Kelsey should be watched and caught, and I asked the Doctor to allow 
 " them to come to his house and watch, as it was bo near to Mrs. Oakley's, 
 and he consented to the arrancrement. 
 
 Q.- Do you know whether Dr. Banks took any part in the tarring and 
 featheringr of Kelsey? A. I know he did not. 
 
 Q. Were you with him from nine o'clock to twelve that night? A. I 
 was not. 
 
 Q. Then you don't know of your own knowledge where he was between 
 those hours? A. No, not of my own knowledge; Dr. Banks made a pro- 
 position to me to employ Constable Trainer to watch with the rest, l)nt I 
 dissuaded him from doing so ; my reason for so influencing him was that I 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 59 
 
 tliouglit it would be time enough to call the ofTicer when Kelsey was caught, 
 and that it might leak out that persons were watching for him. 
 
 Q. Did Mrs. Oakley request you to watch or to get other persons to 
 watch for Kelsey? A. I don^t remember; I don't think she asked me di- 
 rectly; I can't say j)Ositively that she did. 
 
 Witness then made the foHowlng astounding and desperate acknowledg- 
 ment: ''I have purposely refrained from attempting to fiiul out who com- 
 mitted this act on Kelsey: I have a feeling that I never want llic persona 
 who did it to be found out; if I knew any of the parties who did this deed 
 I would not tell of it." 
 
 Charles A. Mullings, another witness^ was then called to prove or dis- 
 prove certain statements which had been circulated to the effect that the watch 
 found at Kelsey's home had a piece of the chain attached to it, and that tiie 
 complete chain found on the remains was placed there for the purpose of 
 palming off some other body for that of Kels(>y's, which statements had in- 
 clined many persons to the opinion that it was wholly a put-up job. The 
 evidence of this witness was awaited with considerable interest, as it would 
 establish a very important fact in the cumulative testimony; but a few 
 minutes' examination sufficed to show that the man really knew nothing 
 about the matter, and had never seen any chain on the watch. His evi- 
 dence, which was contradictory in all its parts, is as follows: 
 
 I lived in Huntington last fall; I went, at the request of William J. 
 Wood, to search for Kelsey, about his house and lands, after his disappear- 
 ance ; I went, witli others, to Henry Kelsey's house; Henry was crying; 
 lie said all he missed of his brother's clothing was an old suit he used to 
 tend mason in; he said he was afraid Charles had committed suicide; he 
 Faid his brother had come home that night, he supposed ; a light, ho said, 
 had been left burning for him on the kitchen table, and when they got up 
 next morning it was there and still burning; Hcniy Kelsey told mo 
 that William Kelsey, his brother, had told him that Charley's v/atch was at 
 Lome, with a piece of the chain attached; I saw the watch; it was Iving 
 on the table in one room and I was in another; I paid no particular atten- 
 tion to it; when I saw the watch and chain Miss Kelsey was in the room : 
 Nat. Brush, George Marti in, Constable Trainer, and others, went to the 
 house with me; I saw a knit jacket tluM-c which Henry said belonged to 
 ^Charles; the watch I saw, with a piece of chain attached, was at William 
 Kelsey's house; I can't tell how long the piece of chain was; William 
 never told me anything about the chain ; I think the watch and chain were 
 on the table ; I cannot tell where the table stood in the room ; it was in the 
 sitting-room and I was in the kitchen when I saw it; I don't know and no 
 one told me whose watch it was tliat was lying on the table; Miss Kelsej- 
 was crying at the time, but said nothing ; I had merely a casual glance at 
 the watch, and couldn't tell whether there was a whole (;hain on it ; it might 
 liavc been a whole chain ; I might have gone into the room if I had wanted 
 to ; I do not know at what time we were there." 
 
60 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 Q. 1^0 you know whether the watch you saw on the table was a gold 
 or a silver watch ? A. I do not. 
 
 Q. Might it not have been the glittering edge of the watch where it is 
 chased that you saw ? A. It might have been ; I cannot describe the chain ; 
 I do not know in reality whether there was any chain on the watch ; I was 
 under the impression and belief that I saw it, but I am not positive. 
 
 Claudius B. Prime, supposed to be one of the principals in the outrage, 
 testified : 
 
 " I went to Mrs. Oakley's about half-past eight or nine o'clock on Sunday 
 night, November 3d, after leaving the First Presbyterian Church ; I Avore a 
 mask at ISlrs. Oakley's which I got at Dr. Banks' house ; I saw others whom 
 I did not recognize, wearing masks ; I remember one whom I afterwards 
 found to be Dr. i3. H. Burgess (village dentist). I was in the room with 
 them two or three minutes, but had no conversation with them ; did not 
 hear any one speak ; there was a light in the room ; I said nothing to any 
 of them about what was going on or to be done ; I did not see my son 
 Arthur there, but he may have been there masked; after we went out I 
 whispered with Dr. Burgess ; I was invited to go there by James McKay 
 through Arthur; Arthur didn't tell me who else was going to be there ; I 
 knew they had been watching for some time previously, we watched till 
 after Royal left that night; after Royal had left Kelscy came on the 
 premises and passed near enough to me for me to touch him ; I identified 
 him ; I could have got hold of him and held him ; I left about eleven 
 o'clock with Dr. Burgess; I went home with my mask in my pocket and 
 then burned it up ; the mask was made of pasteboard ; after Kelsey left I 
 saw several parties back of the house ; I can't tell why I wore a mask." 
 
 Q. Would you mask your face to catch a man breaking into a house? 
 A. I don't think I should, ordinarily; I suppose I went there because I 
 was asked to ; I knew previously of Kelsey's annoyance of Mrs. Oakley's 
 folks; I knew Kelsey by sight, but never spoke to him; the man I took 
 to be Kelsey was not disguised. 
 
 Q. AVhat did you see him do ? A. I saw him look in at the west side 
 parlor window. 
 
 A juror. — Do you call that breaking into the house? The witness, with 
 some perplexity, continued : — There was a light in that window. 
 
 Another juror. — Who put that light there? Without replying to the 
 question witness resumed: — When Kelsey left, he left voluntarily — passing 
 close by me. 
 
 Q. Did he break into the house or do anything wrong? A. Not that I 
 saw; he had no ladder with him; I was not on the premises next evening 
 when Kelsey was tarred and feathered ; I went home that night about 
 eight or half-past eight; I saw no disguised persons that evening; my son 
 Arthur arrived about nine o'clock at my house and stayed till nearly eleven ; 
 I was accused last fall before Justice Monfort; I have never stated to any- 
 body that we had better come out and tell about the affair; I told Arthur 
 
TAIUIING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 61 
 
 to go awa/ last fall so as to avoid the service of a subpoena, and he ro- 
 mained away till the investigation closed. 
 
 Q. Did you know where he was? A. I did not, and didn't want to 
 know; I didn't ask him where he was going, and diiln't care where ho 
 went; there was tar heated in my barn in the first part of November to 
 fumigate my house; there was about two quarts of it; I did say last win- 
 ter to some parties that the parties who had tarred and feathered Kelsey 
 had better tell all they knew about it. 
 
 ' During the session some witnesses from New York, who had been sub- 
 poenaed to attend, were examined. They were fricnd.s of Royal Sammis, 
 and the presence of one of their number, James Ives, in Huntington oa 
 the 4th of November, was proved by several persons who had seen and 
 talked with him as he alighted from the train at the depot, and in the raaia 
 street of the village. The theory was advanced that outside parties had 
 been summoned to perform the outrage, and it was shown by the evidence 
 that invitations were given for that purpose; but the testimony of Ivca 
 was so at variance with that of the parties whose declarations had been 
 given, that but few new facts could be elicited. Indeed, the last named 
 witness swore that he was not in Huntington on the 4th of November, 
 against the evidence of acquaintances who had Tcadily recognized him, and 
 the truth of whose statements no one could doubt. Strong hints of another 
 arrest for perjury were thrown out, and it became plainly apparent that 
 the case had other ramifications than what had been attributed to the vil- 
 lage alone. Exactly what these invited persons had to do with the affair, 
 or what portion of the job was assigned to them, is not clearly known ; but 
 their presence in the place at the time of the tarring and feathering opera- 
 tion is certainly too suspicious a fact to be overlooked. 
 
 The testimony that was supposed to relate to the finding of a mutilated 
 portion of the body, and which the coroner said would undoubtedly be of 
 too shocking and indecent a nature for publication in the paixirs, was not 
 given during the secret session. In truth the court was not in possession 
 of any evidence at the time tending to throw light upon this part of 
 the mysterious affair. And so the private investigation failed of accom- 
 plishing the object for which it was intended, and really amounted to nothing. 
 It was attempted too late. The parties connected with the disgrace had 
 arranged to conceal the details of the plot long before, and by a systematio 
 concurrence in the line of testimony not a single one of the individuals 
 conccrne<l would reveal anything damaging to his neighbor. 
 
 This condition of things was supposed to have been brought about by 
 threats and bribes, for the coroner stated at the time the private examina- 
 tion was decided upon that such a course was necessary in order to protect 
 innocent persons from physical violence, as he understood that threats had 
 been made against the property and even the lives of those who might 
 betray the princii)als in the crime, and thus reveal the hideous secret. 
 
 Had this precaution been taken in time — had the authuritiee conducted 
 
62 TAERING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 the examination privately at the opening of the inquest, and studiously 
 avoided any publicity of the proceedings, much more might have been ac- 
 complished, as the defence would not" have had the opportunity, so favor- 
 ably presented, of preparing their line of action. It was manifest all 
 through that a settled determination existed to cover up the worst features 
 of the crime, and to spare, at all hazards, the guilty parties; and from the 
 evasiveness of some of the witnesses, and the contradictory character of the 
 testimony of others, it is morally certain that if this course had been 
 adopted at the commencement a great deal of valuable evidence might 
 have been adduced. 
 
 After the lapse of a week, the inquest — which was still dragging its 
 weary length along, to the intense disgust of thousands who were anxious 
 to sec the finale of the case — again resumed its session, and this time openly- 
 The room was well filled, for it had been bruited about that three very 
 important witnesses would be called on the stand, Dr. Banks, the Widow 
 Oakley, and Rudolph Sammis. 
 
 Mrs. Charlotte B. Oakley, grandmother of Mrs. Royal Sammis, nee Julia 
 Smith, was the first to testify. 
 
 She said that Royal Sammis came in at seven o'clock,p. m., of the even- 
 ing of November 4th ; Mr. and Mrs. Wood and Mr. and Mrs. Juhu McKay 
 came along quite late in the evening; I had not invited any of them, and 
 did not ask how it happened that they had called together; I had never 
 heard Dr. Banks speak of inviting some of the neighbors to come in that 
 evening; it v/as quite late in the evening when I heard they had caught 
 Kelsc}^; I didn't know where they caught him or where they had taken 
 him to, and did not ask anybody; there was something said, in an informal 
 way, in the parlor, about going out, and all those present got up together 
 and went out; Julia and her sister Abble did not go out with the party, as 
 they were not present just at that time; when they went out the party 
 walked down the yard; there were several i)erFous in the yard ; I saw tlio 
 person who was supposed to be Kelsey, and the party appeared to be leav- 
 ing the yard ; Julia joined me in the yard ; I did not see Royal, nor Abbic, 
 nor Charlotte Merritt in the yard ; when we had spoken to Kelsey we went 
 back into the house, and he made no reply ; I had had no conversation 
 about tarring and feathering Kelsey; did not know he was to be caught 
 that night, or that he was to be tarred and feathered ; did not know wiio 
 tarred and feathered him or who procured it to be done; I never inquire(l 
 about any part of the transaction ; there was no tar heated in my house 
 that night — it could not be done without my knowledge ; I consulted Dr. 
 Banks about the annoyance Kelsey was giving me, and we concluded the 
 only way was to watch for him and entrap him ; I also asked Dr. Burgess* 
 to come to my assistance if he heard my bell ring." 
 
 Q. Had you any fear* that Kelsey would return to your house that night 
 after you saw him in your yard? A. I had not. 
 
 Q. Why not? A. Well, because his appearance was such as — 
 
i 
 
TARKING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 65 
 
 District Attorney Tuthill. — Oh, yes. His appearance was such that you 
 thought he would not be apt to come back. Is that it? A. Well, I have 
 told you all 1 know; I had no idea that ho would return; 1 thought he 
 had been punished, and I knew he deserved it; Dr. Banks came in before 
 Mr Wood left, and alter we had been in the yard ; I remember asking 
 James Mcdvay to help watch for Kelsey ; 1 wanted Kelsey punished by law. 
 
 Q. Did you see Kelsey get into your house? A. No, sir ; my grand- 
 dauirhter diil ; he had a lantern on his arm at the time. 
 
 Q. Did you make any attempt to bring the law to bear on Kelsey ? A. 
 I went to — 
 
 Ar this juncture, Mrs. Stuart, the step-daughter of the witness, and her 
 companion in court, interrupted the proceedings by addressing the coroner. 
 She said : I must speak right here ; District Attorney Tuthill himself told 
 Mrs. Oakley that Kelsey had done nothing illegal.'' 
 
 The District Attorney rose and stated as follows : 
 
 ^' Upon examination of the matter I recommended them to make a com- 
 plaint, and have him arrested for burglary if his intent appeared criminal, 
 otherwise for trespass. At the same time I assured Mr. ]\IcKay, the emis- 
 sary on behalf of Mrs. Oakley, that there was not proof enough to justify a 
 grand jury in finding a true bill, as there did not appear sufficient evidence 
 to make it conclusive that it actually was Kelsey." 
 
 Witness closed the import of her evidence by stating that the object of 
 watching for Kelsey, as she understood it, was to entrap him and have him 
 punished for trespass, as suggested by Mr. Tuthill. 
 
 Rudolph Sammis, brother of Royal, was next called, and testified : 
 
 "I was at home part of the time on the night of November 4th ; I went 
 up to the village, and carried my brother Royal at about dusk; I then went 
 back home, and went up again for Royal about ten o'clock and drove him 
 home — took him^ right home; the night before that (Sunday night) I was at 
 Mrs. Oakley's watching for Charles G. Kelsey ; I was asked on Sunday by 
 James McKay, at the First Presbyterian Church, to go and help watch for 
 Kelsey, to capture him breaking into the house, and hand him over to Con- 
 stable Trainer; this conversation took place at the church shed, and there 
 was nothing else said ; I told him I would go ; I had heard before that 
 Kelsey had got into the house, and we wanted to ciitch him breaking in ; I 
 had no mask on." 
 
 Mr. Piatt.— Well, go on and tell us all about it. A. There was onlv 
 two of us, myself and Royal ; there were four going back, we two and our 
 man (Fred Titus) and John Conklin ; James was standing in front of the 
 drug store, and as h^ said he had come to the village on foot, I asked him 
 to ride up home ; ray brother and I were on foot — this was the Sunday 
 night — Royal was ahead of us; I do not think he had any disguise on ; 
 Royal left Mrs. Oakley's house before I did, and I told hira to wait for me 
 under the shed ; after he left Mrs. Oakley's house I sat on the stoop, and a 
 man with an old slouch hat on came in at the front gate, went around the 
 5 
 
66 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 house, and that was the last I saw of him ; I don't know that it was 
 Kelsey. 
 
 Q. Don't you know it was Royal who came again into the yard? A. I 
 don't. 
 
 Q. You don't know whether it was Kelsey or some one else? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Then, as you don't know who it was, it might have been your 
 brother Royal? A. No, I don't think it was; I stayed on Mrs. Oakley's 
 premises until about twelve o'clock ; my brother left about half-past eleven; 
 I got there about half-past nine o'clock. 
 
 Q. Did you see any person on Mrs. Oakley's premises that night? A. I 
 might have, but I didn't know them ; I had heard them in there many a 
 night before that, under the bushes; I had heard them rustling and 
 changing their places ; it rained quite heavily that Sunday night, and I went 
 on the stoop to get out of the rain; the man who went round the house had 
 some kind of a tippet on ; if it was a handkerchief it was a funny colored one; 
 it was a kind of red, or red and white; I expected Kelsey would come on 
 the premises after Royal left; when I left I left of my own accord; when I 
 told Royal I was going to watch, he told me I had better not go ; he went 
 to meet me, I suppose ; I never heard Royal say they were going to tar and 
 feather Kelsey ; I saw no disguise in the wagon, except an overcoat of 
 Royal's; on the night of the tarring and feathering I. brought my 
 brother to the village in a wagon about dusk ; I left him at the Post 
 office, then hitched my horse under Powell's shed, went to Eaton's 
 and Jolm Fleet's stores, and then drove home; then, at about half-past 
 nine, I left home again and went up for him to Mrs. Oakley's; I went 
 straight to her house ; I heard nothing about tar and feathers until I got my 
 brother in the wagon, and then he said somebody had been tarred and 
 feathered, or Kelsey was tarred and feathered, or he was told it was Kelsey, 
 or Kelsey had had something done to him ; when I rang^the door bell at 
 Oaldey's my brother opened the door; when my brother told me about 
 what had been done I told him I didn't want to hear anything about it; I 
 never saw a club about the premises, at home, about two feet long, but 
 Royal told me recently he had made a club of that kind ; he told me he 
 threw it away on that Sunday night, after he left the shed at the hotel to go 
 to Mrs. Oakley's; I didn't ask him why he had it, or why he threw it 
 away. 
 
 Q. When he told you that he threw it away, didn't you think it was a 
 strange tiling to do, after making it and carrying it so far? 
 
 The witness betrayed a good deal of uneasiness at this question and stam- 
 mered out, "I suppose he wanted to stop Kelsey if he caught him in the 
 yard." 
 
 Mr. Piatt.— With the club ? A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Have you ever heard Royal say where Kelsey was caught ou that 
 Monday night? A. No, sir; he always told me he didn't know anything 
 about it; I never heard any one else say where Kelsey was caught; never 
 
TAERING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. G7 
 
 heard that he was caught by the fence in front of Mrs. Stuart's ; I tliink I 
 was husking corn all (lay ou that Monday — but 1 a-iii not po.-;ilivc; 1 was iu 
 New York and Brooklyn four or five weeks last fall while t!:o examination 
 before Justice Monfort was in progress; I came hoii; :;!>- !• it v -s over; I 
 did not know there was a subpoena out for me. 
 
 There was a confused murmur of voices in the room as Dr. Gec>rge P. 
 Banks, the next witness, appeared on the stand. Ho was a pitiable sight 
 to behold — a mere wreck of his former self His hair, a mass of silvery 
 gray, falling carelessly over a brow furrowed i\u(] wrinkled, besj)oke the 
 withering sorrow that pierced his soul, and which had blighted, in its course, 
 all the joy springs of existence. One short year, and oli, what a change! 
 Pride and happiness had alike vanished. His manner was anxious and 
 constrained, his voice was sad and melancholy, and the picture of a terrible 
 fear mirrored itself upon his once placid face. Many of his friends who 
 had nofseen him since the first examination in Huntin^iton were amazjd at 
 his ap{)carance, and would never have recognized him. V/ith considerable 
 embarrassment he testified as follows : 
 
 I am Mrs. Oakley's nearest neighbor; I remember a number of persons 
 being at my house on Sunday night, November 3d, last; Dr. S. H. Burgess' 
 Claudius B. Prime, Arthur T. Hurd, John McKay; I don't recollect seeing 
 any one else ; none of them were disguised that I saw." 
 
 Q. Did they get any masks while in your house ? A. Not that I know 
 of; I don't know whether they got any when they went out ; I think 
 I went out with McKay and Burgess; I didn't see any mask on Dr. 
 Burgess; they might have put on their masks in my house and I might not 
 have seen them ; I can't say whether they were all in the room or not ; after 
 they left my house they went on to Mrs. Oakley's premises; I sav/ John 
 McKay there on her premises; I saw two or three of them again after they 
 had given up watching ; it was about half-past nine when I saw McKay, 
 there, and I stayed on her premises then until twelve o'clock; McKay was 
 nearest to me; I don't recollect seeing Rudolph Sammis there; I don't 
 recollect having any conversation vAth Burgess or Prime when we gave up 
 the watching; I have no recollection of any masks being given up to me by 
 any of them when the watch was over; I don't know where ^Ir. Hurd was 
 stationed ; I know no otlier parties who were watching than those I have 
 named; Burgess and Prime were west of the house; I did not sec ICelsey 
 that nigiit — I heard footsteps though ; Prime and Burgess told me that 
 some one, whom they supposed to be Kelsey, passed them; no attempt vrns 
 made to stop him ; McKay was standing near me; I saw no weapon. 
 
 Mr. Piatt. — On .the next night, November 4th, were you in Mrs. Oakley's 
 house? A. Yes; I saw there Mrs. Oakley, her two grand-daughters and 
 Royal Sammis; I think Sammis was in the hall and the others in the sit- 
 ting-room ; I think I had a lantern which I left on the stoop; it was about 
 nine o'clock ; T told them that I supposed Kelsey had been caught, from 
 the noise I heard from the rear of my house; I cannot reno;U wli-f v :n s iid 
 
68 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 by them; I suggested that I should go and tell Dr. Burgess and Mr. Wood; 
 they agreed to the suggestion. 
 
 Q. What did they say ? A. I don't remember ; I only supposed they 
 had caught Kelsey from the subdued noise I heard in Mrs. Oakley's yard 
 from my back stoop. 
 
 Q. Could you see those persons ? A. I could not ; I thought it must be 
 Kelsey because people had been watching for him ; I went to Mr. Wood's 
 and said I supposed some one had caught Kelsey, and I asked him to come 
 over and he said he would; I then went to Dr. Burgess' and told him the 
 same, and he said he would come ; I then went back to Mrs, Oakley's and 
 saw the same persons there ; Royal was then in the sitting room ; I told 
 them I had summoned Burgess and Wood; I then went home and was at 
 home about ten minutes ; I went into my stable, and while there heard a 
 sort of hurrah or shout. 
 
 Q. Where did you go then? A. I went to Mrs. Oakley's yard. 
 
 Q. Haven't you forgotten a second visit you made to Mr. Wood? 
 A. (hesitatingly). I think I did go there a second time; I went there the 
 last tiuie to hurry him up ; I saw Kelsey there; he was on the west side of 
 the yard, about half way down toward the gate; the ladies walked down the 
 yard to about where he was ; I saw about four or five persons tliere ; I saw 
 Mrs. Oakley, Miss Smith and the others I have described ; I saw no one 
 there in disguise; I saw no one around Kelsey; I went withi»-^ two or three 
 feet of him when I first saw him ; I saw his face, head and shoulders ; I 
 didn't see him only while my light lasted. 
 
 Mr. Piatt. — Your light did not last long when you got near him ? 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Well, " while your lamp held out to burn " what did you see ? 
 (Laughter.) A. I saw Kelsey ; I knew it was him ; his neck and shoulders 
 were covered with feathers ; I did not notice his moustache ; he had his 
 clothes in his hands ; I couldn't see any of his clothing on him ; I noticed 
 no blood on him anywhere; he was a broad-shouldered and round-shouldered 
 man ; I didn't look at his feet and legs ; I was up on the edge of the terrace 
 or bank and he was a little higher up on the same bank. 
 
 Q. When you got close to him what did you do ? A. I held the lantern 
 up so that I could see his fiice ; I held the lantern up to his shoulder, about; 
 I asked him if this was Kelsey, and he made no reply ; he struck me on my 
 shoulder with a boot he had in his hand. 
 
 Q. He didn't speak — was he gagged at all ? A, I couldn't see that be 
 was gagged. 
 
 Mr. Piatt.— Yet he didn't utter a word all that evening ! What else? 
 A. He struck at me again as I turned to leave and broke my lantern ; 
 may have struck him as I turned to leave, but I don't remember it; after 
 my lantern went out Kelsey went toward the rear of the yard and went out; 
 I didn't see any one near him then ; after he left I went back to Mrs. Oak- 
 ley's ; I saw the family and the other persons already named in the house ; 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 69 
 
 they talked about the matter; I donH recollect what was said; some one 
 Baid, "It was a sickening sight;" I thought so myself. 
 
 Q, What looked sickening? A. His face. 
 
 Q. How did that look sickening? A. He had his hair cut off. 
 
 Q. Is it very sickening to see a person with short hair ? A. It is to me 
 sometimes; I don^t remember who made any special remark; I went home 
 about five minutes later. 
 
 Q. Have you ever said Kelsey put on his pantaloons or drawers under 
 Mr. Wood^s shed? A. No, sir ; the noise I heard was a kind of shout or 
 hurrah ; I don't know whether the persons I saw in the yard had made that 
 ehout; I heard it very distinctly; I supposed it was tar Kelsey had on him, 
 but I saw mostly feathers. 
 
 Q. Kelsey never spoke a word while he was there, according to all the 
 testimony. How do you account for that? A. I have no explanation. 
 
 Mr. Young. — Doctor, why did you invite all the neiglibors to this spec- 
 tacle? A. So that they might remonstrate with him for his annoyance. 
 
 Mr. Young here produced Dr. Banks' mvbtorious letter to Constable 
 Trainer, signed V. C," and asked why, ift he considered this movemeni 
 k) arrest Kelsey a laudable one, he did not sign it with his own name. 
 
 The Doctor replied : " I have no explanation of it to make." 
 
 Mr. Young. — It is very unfortunate for you, then. 
 
 Dr. Banks. — Those initials occurred to me during the conversatioQ with 
 the constable, and I told him I would sign that way. 
 
 Mr. Young. — When you found Kelsey had been caught, did you, as you 
 have stated was your intention, make any effort to have him brought before 
 a justice? A. I did not. 
 
 A juror. — You say you went over with your friends to see that no harm 
 was done to Kelsey after he was caught. Did you think Claudius Prime, 
 or John McKay, or Dr. Burgess would do violence to him ? A. No, sir. 
 
 Juror.— Then you must have had a suspicion that the men who did 
 actually have him in charge were men of violent resorts and might injure 
 him. Who did you suppose they were ? A. I had no right to suspect 
 anybody. 
 
 It is noticeable that whenever the Doctor was interro<ratod on prominent 
 points in the affliir, he had no explanation to make!" Ho formed one 
 of the party that committed the deed— that sent, without the least warning, 
 a fellow-creature into the presence of his Maker- and yet he professes entire 
 ignorance of the murder, and declares he had no riirht to suspect any- 
 body!" He made himself conspicuous in callinp; too;rther the neighbors 
 to witness the foul proeeedinnrs, so as to impress the victim with a full 
 sense of their iinportanct^ ! He approached, with his lantern, the shivering 
 man, and iicld it up so that its glare mio^ht rest upon the nude form, and 
 the compiriy that followed closely at his heels stood by to mock at the vUe 
 degradation ! He testifies, under a solemn oath, that Keleey stood before 
 them naked, and that he tried to shield his person from the rude gaze of his 
 
70 
 
 TAREING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 persecutors, by holding the garments he had worn around his trembling 
 form. 
 
 " No explanation to make ! " 
 
 Was the man gagged that he did not reply to the Doctor's peremptory 
 demand, Is this Kelsey?" That he did not reproach them for their 
 brutality ? No one can read the evidence, and not arrive at this conclusion. 
 If his mouth had Dot been stopped beyond the power of utterance, he could 
 easily have raised an alarm that would have brought a score of sturdy 
 arms to the rescue. It v/as not one of those nights when tlie rural popula- 
 tion retire early, and the streets of country villages are unbroken by the 
 sound of a single footfall. Not sixty rods away, in the Suffolk Hotel bar- 
 room, a large number of hard-fisted toilers were assembled, discussing the 
 political question, and as the night advanced the noise of their shouts and 
 revelry could be distinctly heard some distance away. The main street 
 Avas not silent and still, but resounded with the roll of passing vehicles and 
 the tramp of pedestrians. The least suspicion of what was being done on 
 the Oakley premises — a single cry of distress — would have been the signal 
 for a rush of the crowd to*the scene, en masse. 
 
 Yes, he was gagged, and the notes of terror and alarm he strove to utter 
 (lied hollowly away in his throat! - 
 
 "No explanation to make!'^ 
 
 Ah ! but an explanation will be made, and if it comes not from you, 
 Dr. Banks, it will come from some one ! 
 
 It has been said that this crime would continue to remain a profound mys- 
 tery until the persons engaged in it were brought to face the " King of Ter- 
 rors," in the solemn hour of death! Then, if not before, will the "explana- 
 tion " be made. Not one of the parties who is in possession of the secret can 
 calmly cross the dark river with that weight upon his conscience ! Not one 
 of them is so hardened as to resist the pleadings of the "still, small voice," 
 in a time when the soul trembles on the awful abyss of Eternity ! The 
 thoughts engendered by that fatal night will flash atliwart the brain and 
 oppose tranquillity, and the grim spectre of the tortured Kelsey ^vill rise to 
 cloud the spiritual vision, and fill the mind with unrest. Then, at last, 
 the explanation will be made plain ! But we have full faith it will be 
 made before. Ere the concluding pages of this book are reached we hope 
 to solve the mystery, and tell who are the alleged murderers. At least we 
 shall expose those upon whom the brand of Cain so severely rests. 
 
 At the conclusion of Dr. Banks' testimony, the coroner announced 
 another adjournment for two weeks. This action filled everybody with 
 astonishment, as there seemed to be no good reason why the inquisition 
 should not be (closed up and the case given to the jury at once. More than 
 six weeks had passed away since the remains were found floating in the waters 
 of Oyster Bay. A large number of witnesses had been examined on both 
 sides, and already enough circumstantial evidence had been adduced to 
 warrant a verdict of Wilful Murder. It began to be whispered about that 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 73 
 
 all was not right. Public opinion is a difficult thing to control, and whea 
 once aroused it takes rapid strides, and jumps at conclusions with little er 
 no deliberation. In this case there appeared to be a necessity for it. What 
 was the reason for the delay, if it was not to gain time? And the time 
 thus gained might be injurious to the prosecution and the cause of justice. 
 It was manifestly the aim of certain parties to prolong the investigatiork 
 until it would be too late for the approaching session of the Circuit Court, 
 and thus carry the trial over to another term, in the hope that in the long 
 interval the affair might be partially forgotten. 
 
 Meanwhile the tar party was not idle. They made frantic attempts to 
 escape the retribution that awaited them, and to save themselves from 
 public odium. They laughed to scorn the idea of Kelsey being dead, and 
 stoutly asseverated their belief in his continued existence. As a last resort 
 they circulated the report that the missing man would be produced by theoi 
 inside of three or four weeks. Charles G. Kelsey, they declared, was alive,, 
 and living in California. It transpires that nearly twenty-five years ago, 
 George Kelsey, the oldest of the Kelsey brothers, went to California and 
 never returned. It was supposed by his family and friends that he was 
 dead, as the correspondence that was regularly received from him long 
 since ceased. Now it was asserted that Charley was in that far off State,- 
 personating his absent brother. To this item of intelligence it was added 
 that a detective had been dispatched there, to return him to Huntington, 
 and to his mourning kindred. 
 
 Such vain and futile attempts to support a hopeless cause met with no 
 encouragement from the public at large. The ruse was altogether too 
 transparent. Kelsey alive ! The victim of such vile and diabolical treat- 
 ment — torture never before heard of in a civilized community — still in the 
 land of the living ! As well might the argument be put forth that the 
 man possessed more than human attributes, and was incapable of being 
 killed ! This, in the face of the most convincing proof that a brutal 
 tragedy had been enacted in their midst, was a direct insult to the law- 
 abiding people of Huntington, and was still more aggravating, coming, as 
 it did, upon the heels of the announcement that letters of administration had 
 been issued on the estate of the deceased, and of the offer of an additional 
 reward of $1000, by the Supervisors of Suffolk county, for evidence leading 
 to the conviction of his murderers. 
 
 Now really what were Kelsey's offences that his life should pay the for- 
 feit? What had he done to deserve death at the hands of a reckless and 
 violent mob? These are pertinent questions, and to answer them the reader 
 must be carried back to the early pages of this book, and pass slowly in re- 
 view llirough all the faults that are laid to the unfortunate man's cliarge. In 
 the first i)lace, he was guilty of falling:: in love with a young girl, a mishap 
 which has attended the g(Mierati<>ns of hkmi sIii(X3 tin; time the unsophisti- 
 cated Adam discovered in the fair atul bloonjinii; Eve, and the whole sister- 
 hood of her descendants, certain innate qualities that callei.1 forth his un- 
 
74 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 bounded admiration and respect. This attachment Kelsey persisted in, 
 jaotwithstanding the opposition of the young lady's relatives, who had other 
 plans for her matrimonial welfare. It is useless to put forward the excuse 
 that Miss Smith gave no encouragement to her admirer, as she stoutly 
 asserts. Love begets love; and the very fact of her being waited upon by 
 him combats that theory, and establishes beyond a doubt that she recipro- 
 cated his ardent passion, and would, if unmolested and uninfluenced, have 
 y'elded her entire devotion into his keeping. Nothing seems more natural 
 tjan that this should be the case. At least it so appears to every observing 
 person who has followed the disclosures that have been made from time to 
 time. Is it such a grievous sin for a man to love a woman ? What could 
 be more natural? The world has given many examples of what men have 
 endured to gain the object of their affections. Tliose who have been 
 deemed stoics on every. point have fallen before the power of "Jove's bright 
 dream," and acknowledged themselves conquered. Many have filled a 
 suicide's grave through excess of blinded zeal, but there seems to be no 
 -case on record where a man was subjected to the most cruel torture, and 
 finally death, simply because of his love and heart devotion to a maiden. 
 The trouble with poor Kelsey was that he " loved not wisely, but too well 
 His nature would brook no interference in the affair on the part of the family 
 of his idol. When she was ready to dismiss him from her side it would 
 be time enough to sacrifice his passion on the altar of unrequited love! 
 Then, and not before! But an unexpected obstacle crossed his patli, and 
 tlireatened to chase away all the bright hopes liejiiid formed for the future. 
 It came in the person of Royal Sammis. — 
 
 Julia's grandmother, not liking ■ Kelseyj determined that she should 
 bestow her hand upon Royal. Kelsey, witli equal firmness, would not 
 yield to the lattcr's claim, and decided that he would win her if possible. 
 At least he would continue his wooing! He had the priority of affection 
 to outweigh any efforts his rival might make. Julia's position was an 
 awkward one now ! She stood between two fires J She was so unfortunate 
 as to be loved by two gentlemen at one and the same time ! On one side 
 she was menaced witli the severest displeasure of her aged relative if she 
 permitted Kelsey's continued attentions, and on the other the no less bitter 
 reproaches of her persevering suitor! Wliat could slie do? The laws of 
 " her country prohibited the possession of both in the marriage relation, even 
 if she had desired it, and she must quickly decide between them ! Which 
 should she take? The counsel of older heads at last prevailed, and shc^ 
 was induced to sever her connection with Kelsey, and turn the current of 
 her love in the direction of Sammis. The transfer was duly made ! Wh.at 
 <iid it matter to the. scheming family if one heart was sadly crushed in the 
 performance? Simply nothing! The question of outraged feelings was 
 not taken into account. Interest and expediency carried the day against 
 both entreaty and argument. Kelsey was left out in the cold to ponder on 
 the unstability of the sex. 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 Wc come now to the letters about which so miicli has been said, and 
 which were attributed to his Iiand. Did they really emanate from him ? 
 Were they the productions of his pen? We answer in the light of luimaa 
 I'cason, No! They were not natural to him! No person of sound mind 
 could indite sueli missives to the being upon whom he lavishes his airec- 
 t.'ons, and afterwartls appear in her presence without experiencing a scn<o 
 v.)f self-condemnation that would wither hitn at a single glance! lie could 
 never meet the (ire that would Hash from her eyes as she fixed them upon 
 him, and stand undismayed before the scornful gaze of insulted purity ! No ! 
 If he was their author — if hh hand traced the obnoxious lines, then his 
 intellect was crazed, and that hand was impelled by the throes of insanity ! 
 In that case he should have been an object of pity rather than malice, and 
 sympathy for his" misfortune should have taken the place of heartless brutal- 
 ity. But the man was not suffering from incipient insanity. He was in his 
 right mind, and betrayed no such symptoms. If the truth was known, 
 those letters could be traced to other sources ! And they were sent for a 
 purpose! This may seem like a thrice told tale, but natural conclusions 
 forbid the thought that Charles G. Kelsey was the writer of them. Was 
 it found necessary to produce false evidence of the worthlessness of his 
 character before Miss Smith would tear his imajxe from her heart? How 
 easily such evidence might have been manufactured, and its authorship 
 traced to Charles ! 
 
 Further. It has been stated that he was caught entering her bed-cham- 
 ber in the night, and that by a fortunate circumstance the room was occu- 
 pied by a lady friend of the family, and not by Miss Julia herself, at the 
 time of the nocturnal visit. The season was summer, and the v/indow was 
 !cll open to admit a cooling breeze. The lady was awakened from her 
 {/lumbers by the touch of a hand upon her face and down her breast. She 
 starts up, and confronts a man ! No particular alarm is felt at the sudden 
 awaking, the^ strangeness of the hour, or the intrud;n-'s i)resence ! Very 
 methodically she raises herself to a sitting posture, and endeavors to solve 
 f!ie man's identity! Terror did not cause her to scream and startle the 
 : 'ighborliood with her frightened cries! She appeared quite self-possessed, 
 id sought to eject the visitor by her own feeble strength ! What woman 
 >nld pass through such an ordeal so calmly? The very fiict of being 
 . I'lily aroused from sleep in the dead hour of night, and finding outline<l 
 ;:iinst the dim shadows the form of a n)an standing at the bedside, would 
 Mspire sufficient fear to cause a rending shriek to issue from the throat that 
 ould startle the echoes around, and speedily bring the other inmates to 
 the rescue! The quick transition from undisturbed trancpiillily to sudden 
 lind overpowering dread would oppose serenity, and call into action all tho 
 forces of natural fright ! No! the story is too incredible ! 
 
 Besides, if Kelsey was the lecherous wretch he has been painted, and did 
 really viokfte the sanctity of that chamber, why did not the family, on 
 learning the circumstances, bring the law to bear upon him for the act? 
 
76 
 
 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGR 
 
 "Why did they not blazon forth the man's villainy, that every one might 
 know there existed in tlie neighborhood a living embodiment of all that 
 was gross and vile ? Then, instead of the cold, dark waters for a winding- 
 sheet, he would have been immured within prison walls, and the locality 
 of Huntington would have been rid of his contaminating presence. 
 
 Were his offences capital crimes that could only be wiped out with his life ? .1 
 Did Miss Smith desire a blood-atonement to appease her wounded sensi- 
 bilities? Forbid the thought! And yet she abetted the deed. She bore 
 witness to at least a portion of the punishment. It has been proved in 
 evidence that she accompanied her grandmother to the spot where Kelsey 
 stood in his degradation. Her betrothed husband, too, composed one of 
 the group that surrounded the helpless man. We leave it to the reader to 
 guess what were the emotions that thrilled the hearts of these two — so soon 
 to enter on life's journey together — as their mutual glances rested upon the 
 brutal spectacle ! 
 
 In the interval to the re-opening of the inquest, which was postponed 
 beyond the appointed time by Coroner Baylis, Colonel Sidney de Kay, 
 Aide-de-camp to Governor Dix, arrived at Huntington to make an official 
 inquiry into the facts and circumstances connected with the outrage and 
 mysterious murder. This action on the part of the State was rendered 
 necessary by the manifest inability of the town authorities to clear up the 
 case and bring to punishment the real culprits, and those who were ac- 
 cessories to the^appalling crime. 
 
 The colonel held personal interviews with several parties in the village 
 who might be able to impart information that would aid him in the pre- 
 paration of his report to the Governor of the State. Among those whom 
 he called upon in pursuing his investigations was the Rev. Dr. Carter, 
 pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Banks, William J. 
 Wood, John McKay, Claudius B. Prime, James McKay, Julia Smith, 
 Sammis, and Charles G. Kelsey, as well as other persons involved in the 
 crime, are, or were at that time, members. The arrival of this gentleman 
 at so opportune a period, Avith extraordinary powers to unravel the various 
 entanglements of the singular plot, created considerable excitement in the 
 place, and set agoing all the gossiping proclivities of the people. All the 
 past developments in the affair were carefully noted, and Coroner Baylis, 
 of Queen's county, who conducted the inquest, was called upon to furnish 
 later facts bearing on the tragedy. The purpose of the Governor evidently 
 was to acquaint himself with all the details of the shocking crime, through 
 the medium of his private secretary, and then to offer a reward on the part 
 of the State for the apprehension of the most guilty parties. 
 
 The little village of Huntington became still more prominent as a pro- 
 vider of news, and people everywhere felt an intense interest in the revela- 
 tions that had been and were still being made in the remarkable murder. 
 The great New York dailies furnished a corps of regular reporters to 
 chronicle the very latest intelHgeuce from the scene, and the telegraph wires 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 77 
 
 found new and profitable employment. Everywhere the mystery that for 
 nearly a year had baffled all the skill of local enterprise was talked about. 
 The " Huntington sensation " was in every mouth. It was the sole topic 
 of conversation in city and town. Nor was public interest in the heartless 
 killing confined to any section or locality. From the far off hilla of 
 Colorado came a published longing that the cloud might be lifted, and the 
 dead Kelsey be avenged in the legal punishment of his murderers. Even 
 across the broad Atlantic, on the shores of the Old World, people had 
 taken up the subject, and an article in the London Pall Mall Gazette dwelt 
 with considerable length upon the awful deed, and stigmatized the authors of 
 the outrage in no measured terms. Surely, Man's inhumanity to man 
 makes countless thousands mourn !" 
 
 And the truth of the poet's maxim was certainly verified in the general 
 interest that had centred around the terrible event. Men felt in their own 
 hearts the barbaric enormity of the act, and deep sympathy for the tortured 
 victim caused a shuddering thrill of horror to course through the frame, 
 that sent the warm blood surging along the veins with more rapid force, as 
 the mind took up the thought of the hideous mutilation, and laid bare the 
 awful agony the bleeding Kelsey endured. And this portion of the affair 
 was what called for the loudest censure and severest punishment on the 
 part of the people. From all quarters of the habitable globe the news- 
 papers are daily furnishing the details of murders and all the other desper- 
 ate acts in the catalogue of blood, and the public have become sated with 
 the record, and turn away from the sickening narratives with feelings of 
 the most intense disgust. But the history of this brutality is too shocking 
 to be passed by indifferently. It is entirely outside of the list of cruelties 
 which the public have been accustomed to read. It is not only a murder, 
 but the utmost limit to which human suffering can go ere the spirit breaks 
 loose from the quivering flesh. Hence the deep interest that is felt on all 
 sides in the unnatural crime. 
 
 On Friday, the twenty-fourth day of October, the inquest was finally 
 resumed. The large room attached to the Pavilion Hotel was filled before 
 the proceedings commenced, and every countenance was animated with tlie 
 hope that the day's session would terminate the long investigation and 
 determine who were to be held for complicity in the affair. The levity on 
 the part of some of the witnesses, which characterized the evidence, would 
 not be allowable in a city court room, and was a disgrace to the judicial 
 assemblage. Colonel De Kay was present during the day, and occupied a 
 seat near the Coroner, where he was busily engaged in observing the progress 
 of the examination. It was stated that immediately uj>on its conclusion he 
 would start for Albany, to lay the details of the case before the Governor 
 and the Attorney General. 
 
 The first witness sworn was William J. Young, Assistant District Attorney 
 of Queen's County. He testified : 
 
 " I knew Charles G. KeLsey by sight and have spoken to him, but had 
 
78 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 no intimate acquaintance with him ; first learned of Kelsy's being tarred 
 and feathered by being told of it about nine o'clock on the morning of 
 election day ; it is my impression that Thomas Aitkins first told me in his 
 store ; I had not previously been told that it was the intention to catch 
 Kelsey ; I had heard that he had got into Mrs. Oakley's window ; I have an 
 indistinct impression that Julia Smith herself told me at her house; I spoke 
 to some one and asked if this Kelsey trouble still continued, and was 
 answered that it was a great deal worse. I asked in what way, and some 
 one, I think Julia, said, ^ He has come in at the window ; ' I had conversa- 
 tions with Royal Sammis about the watching for Kelsey on several occa- 
 sions, as well as in reference to these proceedings; I don't remember the 
 conversations ; don't remember half of them." 
 
 Mr. Young. — Well, give us that half. A. I do not remember any of it; 
 I remember saying to him it was a farce; I remember saying to him that 
 I did not think he need fear being hanged for it; I can't say whether I 
 know the people who tarred and feathered Kelsey, but if you will tell me 
 who did it, I will tell you whether I know them or not. (Indications of dis- 
 gust by spectators and jurors.) I said to Elwood Grossman last fall that it 
 was a pity that that girl should be pestered by that fellow, and that some- 
 body ought to catch liim and punish him, or see that he was punished ; I 
 may have said ho should be tarred and feathered. 
 
 By a juror. — Do you know that Kelsey is not dead? A. No. I only 
 think so. 
 
 Another juror. — Do you think that a man w^ould leave his home and 
 friends as ho did and roam the world an outcast? A. I think he would ; I 
 would if I was tarred and feathered. 
 
 William Streeter, a printer by occupation, residing in Glen Cove, Long 
 Island, was next called on the stand. His testimony relates to a conversa- 
 tion whicli he overheard between two men on a railroad train while going 
 to New York. His evidence is as follow\s : 
 
 I went to New York on the cars two weeks ago last Sunday ; I heard 
 in the cars at that time a conversation between two men ; I can only remem- 
 ber the leading points of it now; the conversation took place while the 
 train w^as travelling between Hyde Park and Hunter's ])oint; my attention 
 was attracted by hearing two persons on the seat behind me conversing 
 quite loudly on this Kelsey affair ; the first remarks I heard were ^I tell 
 you he was taken right opposite my place of business ;' one of them was a 
 short, thick-set man ; the other was taller, and had short black side ^vhiskers; 
 the latter is the one who made the remark I have given ; he w^ent on to say 
 he saw one of the party take Kelsey ; that there were eight of them, and that 
 one of them struck him with a hickory club, and that he tore the masks off 
 one or two of them, which so enraged them that one of them, with an iron 
 spike in his hand, was going to drive it into his head, but was prevented 
 from doing so by some of the others who were present ; the man said he 
 recognized the men who had their masks torn off; the man who was telling 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING 0UTRAG:1 61 
 
 this, I have sin(;c learned is Whelen, and tlio other man is named, 1 think, 
 McEvoy; Whelcn said lie could recog'.iize them all, and put his hand on the 
 fihoulder of every one of them ; Whelen said he ibllowed them when they 
 took Kelscy away to where they tarred and leathered him ; saw Dr. Jxuiks 
 hold the lantern while the tar was applied; saw a servant girl go into the 
 house and throw from an u})per window a bag, from whieh the feathers 
 fiprinkled on Kelscy were taken, and, I think, he said Miss Smith v/aa 
 standing on the stoop ail the time; he then said there were four who tarred 
 und feathenM him, and the other four killed him ; he tlien mentioned tho 
 names of all the eight parties, but 1 only remeniber three names — tiiose of 
 Dr. Banks, one called Ives, and another named llurd ; I can't remend)eL* 
 ilie other names positively; Whelen then went on to say that ho had been 
 talking to the parties before it oeeurred, and that they said they intended to 
 mutilate him ; Whelcn then said that he believed they had done so after 
 they had killed him ; he also said that one of tho parties called at his placo 
 <)f business after the affair, and that the party told him not to mention it: 
 McEvoy asked Whelen why he did n©t testify to this, and Whelen answered 
 that he had no one to support his testimony and it would be no good; 
 AVholen then said that a party had come to him and asked him which side 
 lie took, and said that, in a nutshell, it was 'gin against respectability;' 
 Whelen said he asked the party which side represented the respectability, 
 and the j^arty replied, * The side Dr. Banks is on;' Wliejen says he then 
 remarked that if that was the case he wanted U) be on the side of the giii 
 party; that the man then remarked to Whelen that lie (Whelen) had a good 
 many friends on the other side, and that Whelen siid,'^ Well, if there are, I 
 want to see them punished ;' a Mr. Baker, employed with me, was on the 
 seat beside me; Whelen appeared to speak as though he meant it seriously; 
 I have an indistinct impression that he used the names of Royal Sammis, 
 Prime, McKay and Baldwin, as being in the party of eight; I am pretf)'' 
 certain as to the use of the name of Prime; I learned that the men \vci*o 
 Whelen and McEvoy by name, on Wednesday Inst, when I went over to 
 Unntington with the Coroner to see if I could identify the men ; the only 
 thing further that I heard said in reference to the mutilation was that some 
 doctor had told them that it wouldn't hurt him anyhow." 
 
 The witness was then recpiested to rise and look around and see if hi^ 
 could identify the two men. He did so, and pointed out Air. Whelen and 
 Mr. McEvoy among the spectators. 
 
 To Mr. Tuthill. — I spoke to McPwoy in Huntington, on Wednesday, 
 so as to get him to speak, and as soon as I heard him speak I recognized him. 
 
 To a juror. — I was under the impression that he was the man as soon ay; 
 I saw him, but when he spoke T n.'cognized him instantly. 
 
 To another juror — I was sitting in front of them, and turned in tho scat 
 60 as to hear more accurately; at tima*», when a big point came out, I nudgetl 
 Baker, or winked to him, and he did the sa«ie to me; I said it was a pit/ 
 there wasn't a re^wrter there. 
 6 
 
TARRING AND FEATPIERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 I have not read the reports of this case since the first accounts were pub- 
 lished at the time the outrage took place; I have seen them occasionally 
 since, and noticed that the case was continually adjourned from time to 
 time. 
 
 Stephen Baker next testified. His evidence corroborated, to some extent, 
 that of the previous witness : 
 
 "I reside in Glen Cove, and am employed in the starch factory; I was in 
 the cars with Mr. Streeter on the occasion referred to and heard the conver- 
 sation he has described ; one of the men said he made the boots for Kelsey ; 
 the other said tliat a man came to his place and told him that they had 
 caught Kelsey, and that he didn't want this man to say anything ; I don't 
 remember hearing them say who the parties were; I didn't hear him say 
 that he oould put his hand on them ; they might have said it."* 
 
 To the Foreman.— I didn't pay much attention to what was said, but there 
 was considerable talk. 
 
 To Mr. Young. — I did not endeavor to hear their conversation ; I think 
 I heard something said about a spike. 
 
 To the Coroner. — I think I heard Dr. Banks' name mentioned. 
 
 To Mr Young. — The tarring and feathering were spoken of; one of tho' 
 parties said he didn't think the parties who tarred and feathered him 
 were the parties who killed him. 
 
 To Mr. Tuthill. — I don't think I had any conversation with Streeter at 
 the time; I hit him on the elbow, or he nudged me, I don't remember 
 which. 
 
 By the Coroner. — To draw his attention to the conversation ? A. Yes. 
 
 To Mr. Young. — After we left the cars Streeter said something to the 
 effect that it was a pity there wasn't a reporter there. 
 
 To Mr. Tuthill. — Streeter had a newspaper, which he appeared to make 
 believe he was reading. 
 
 To a juror. — They appeared to have a loud voice, but I don't think they 
 were talking above the tone of ordinary conversation. 
 
 After a short recess, the following named witness, Martin Whelen, was 
 called to the stand and the oath administered. He testified : 
 
 "I went home from the shop about six o'clock on the evening of Novem- 
 ber 4th ; returned to the village about seven o'clock, and attended a political 
 meeting ; went home with my brother about ten o'clock ; saw no person 
 seized that night and nothing unusual ; first heard of the outrage on Kelsey 
 next day from Edward Seaman, a workman in my employ; Seaman asked 
 me if I heard about 'the Kelsey bird' last night, and I told him I didn't 
 understand what he meant ; he said Kelsey had been tarred and feathered ; 
 a couple of days later he told me that he had been told of it by Mr. Hurd's 
 hostler, Michael Moran ; he told me that Moran said they had caught Kelsey 
 in front of my place ; Seaman did not tell me whether Moran stated these 
 things of his own knowledge ; there was nothing further told me beyond 
 Bome jokes about it." 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 83 
 
 Q. Did any one else ever talk to you about it? A. Yes, sir; when I 
 went to Riverhead on a horse trial ; James Conkling told me that some meu 
 werewatehing for Kelscy, and that they were going to cateh him and punish 
 him ; he didn't say how they were going to punish him ; he didn't say any- 
 thing about tar and feathers; I didn't thiidv from the way he spoke that he 
 was watching; I understood that he had heard it through the church folks 
 (laughter); I have heard Joseph K. Conkling of Huntington say that the 
 Saturday evening preceding November 4th he and John McKay were coming 
 down tlie street past Mrs. Oakley's house and saw a man standing in front 
 of her house; that John McKay drop[)ed a parcel or bundle and rati across 
 tlie street, and Conkling says he himself went home; the next time Conk- 
 ling met McKay he asked McKay what they proposed to do with Kelsey, 
 and ]\IcKay told him what they were going to do, and Conkling said ho 
 told McKay there would be trouble if it were done ; I do not remember 
 whether Cotdvling told me what McKay said was to be done, but if he did tell 
 me I have forgotten what it was; Moran, when I have talked with 
 him about it, always told me he knew nothing about it ; I do not now know 
 any of the parties who committed the outrage on Kelsey; I wish I did 
 know ; I know of nothing whatever further that I remember, though there 
 may be incidents whicli may recur to me. 
 
 Q. Did you go to New York one Sunday about two weeks ago with 
 MeEvoy? A. I did; there were two men sitting in front of us; I was 
 talking with McEvoy about the outrage, and said what a terrible affair it 
 was for the community; that I would like to know who did it, for I would 
 like to sec them go to State Prison. 
 
 A jiu'or. — That you would like to see one of them go to State Prison did 
 you say ? A. No, sir; but all who were connected with it. 
 
 To Mr. Young. — McEvoy said he had heard some one say that Morau 
 knew all about it, and McEvoy said if Moran did know it he should tell it, 
 but that Moran really knew nothing concerning it; I heard nothing said 
 about McEvoy making Kelsey 's boots that I can remember; I never knew 
 that McEvoy made them until this morning; I used Dr. Banks' name and 
 said I thought he was blamed for more than he should be blamed tor; I 
 can't remember one-sixteenth of the story told by Mr. Streeter to-diiy, but 
 I suppose I tidked pretty loudly against these tar people and said they 
 should be hanged or imprisoned; I did mention something about feathers 
 l)eing thrown from the window by a servant girl in the house; I had only 
 heard of thai in ordinary village talk. 
 
 To a juror. — I did not know the tarring and feathering was to be done; 
 I wish I had, and I should have tried to [)rotect the man. 
 
 To the Coroner. — I have talked with McEvoy about our conversation thid 
 morning, just to refresh my memory. 
 
 A juror. — Did you refresh it? A. Not much ; he says he didn't say any- 
 thing. (Considerable laughter.) 
 
 Edward Seaman, the next witness, seemed to know notliing at all about 
 
M TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 the case. When asked, What do you know about this matter, Mr. Sea- 
 man?'^ he answered, "Kothins^ at all." 
 
 Q. Where were you on the night of November 4th ? A. At Ijome by 
 eight o'clock, in bed and asleep; 
 
 Q. Have you ever talked with anybody about it? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Did you hear Mr. Whelen's testimony— didn't you tell him something 
 about it ? 
 
 A. Not that I remember; I may have said something about it 
 v/hcn Moran and me were both pretty well drunk. (Loud and prolonged 
 laughter.) 
 
 Edward McEvoy testified that he could not remember definitely what 
 was said between himself and Whelen, but they talked about the. whole 
 Kelsey case; witness remembered hearing something said by Yv^iielen to the 
 effect that somebody had a spike and that Moran should tell all he knew; 
 ■witness said he should tell it if he knew anything; witness heard John Betts 
 say, that he could identify three of them or five of them ; he knew no 
 parties who took part in the tarring and feathering. 
 
 The evidence of the next witness, John Betts, was a laughable farce. He 
 testified : 
 
 Q. What is your occupation ? A. Tailor, sir; the best tailor on Long 
 Island (great laughter); I live in Huntington; I did not say I could 
 identify three or five of those men ; I said I was satisfied who five of 'em 
 were, but I couldn't swear to 'em ; I saw 'em cutting up their shines, though; 
 they were acting like mountebanks, and watching three roads; the three 
 roads are the roads opposite Mr. Kurd's ; I think they had masks on them; 
 if I told you who they were you would know ; I did not sec them well 
 enough to know who they were; they were all grown men ; I am certain 
 there were five; they were running into each other and acting like dis- 
 orderly boys; I did not hear them speak; they were standing there; I 
 passed on ; I am satisfied in my own mind who they are, but I can't swear 
 to them ; my own impression wont do; I wont do it, sir; I can't do it ; I 
 wouldn't do it; I wouldn't do it for a million of money; you can't get any- 
 thing out of me, sir; I don't know who the men were. 
 
 To a juror. — These men were dressed in drab clothes, all of about the one 
 color ; the masks were not very dark ; I think they were about the same 
 color as the coats. 
 
 To another juror. — My impression was at the time by their gait and shape 
 and everything; they acted like drunken men, but I thought them sober; I 
 am sure Royal Sammis was not one of the five ; I don't think Ives was 
 among them. 
 
 By a juror. — Was Arthur M. Prime among them? A. Don't ask me 
 any such questions. 
 
 By Mr. Young. — Was C, B. Prime one of them? A. Don't ask me any 
 fiuch questions ; I see what you are getting at. (Laughter.) 
 
TARRING AND FEATIIERINC; OUTRAGE. 
 
 85 
 
 By 'a juror. — You are not willing to answer us to Artliiir P: i:iie? 
 A. Tliat's all right, sir. 
 
 By Mr. Young. — Was .lames Conkling one of tliern ? A. ])on't ask mo 
 any questions. 
 
 Q. Was Rudolph Sammis one of them? A. I don't think he was. 
 Q. Was Dr. S. II. Burgess one of them ? A. Don't ask me no questions. 
 Q. Do you think you recognized Arthur M. Prime? A. Don't ask mc 
 no questions. 
 
 Q. Was Michael Moran one of them ? A. Don't ask mc that question; 
 1 mean to all these questions when I say ' Don't ask me/ that I'd rather be 
 excused from answering. 
 
 Q. AVas Seudder M. Prime one of them ? A. I don't think he was. 
 
 By a juror, — Do you think if you answered these questions you miglit 
 be tarred and feathered? A. I think they are damned cowards enough. 
 (Indications of disgust on the part of the audience.) 
 
 Mr. Young. — Now, there are lour here concei'ning \vhom you would 
 rather not answer. Now, who is the fjl'tli ? A. I think you ought to be 
 able to get at that. (Laughter.) 
 
 To the Coroner. — I think I knowed them all ])retty well ; I don't think 
 John ^IcKay was one of them. 
 
 A juror. — Did you tell who you thonglit th:.'y were to your wife or ilunily? 
 A. No, sir; I don't tell my wife anything I want to keep, or it would be 
 known all over the neighborhood soon, ((jreat laughter.) 
 
 By Mr. Young. — Have you ever accused any of those men thatyou think 
 you saw there with being masked, or in that ])arty ? A. I did call one of 
 those fellows, one of the Primes, a murdei in' devil one night wiuui 1 was a 
 little tight, and got into a fuss with him. 
 
 Q. Which one was that? A. Arthur ^I. Prime; I never saw such a 
 gang before in Huntington as they were ; some of 'em couie lor me, as I 
 thought, but they stopped when they see'd John Betts. 
 
 Nathaniel Smith was the last witness sworn. His testimony is as 
 follows : 
 
 " I tended bar last fall at Po^vcll's Hotel, Huntington ; I noticed nothing 
 that I remember on the night of the 3d or 4th of November; I think I was 
 away on the night of the 3d ; one or two nights after the thing happened I 
 heard Mr. Ilurd talking to a gentleman, a friend of his, in the bar-room : 
 he said, *C)h, by the way, we eatched Kelsey the otluu' night, and tarred and 
 feathered him good; I don't think he will trouble Miss Smith any more, or 
 be in Huntington any more.' Before that he had been telling his friend 
 all about the affair — how Kelsey had been annoying Miss Smith, and all 
 that ; after that they moved away to another ])art of the bar-room ; that was 
 before there was any investigation about it; I had never seen the stranger 
 before; and have not seen him since." 
 
 To a juror. — I can swear that Mr. Hurd said, "We tarre<l and feathered 
 Kelsey," as though ho was one of the j)arty. 
 
86 TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 This ended the taking of the testimony before the coroner. The latter 
 evidence was of little importance as bearing directly upon the crime, or in 
 aiding the jury to arrive at a satisfactory verdict. There was nothing in the 
 conduct of the last day's session to give it the stamp of authority, or to l«ad 
 an attentive observer to suppose that the proceedings were held in the 
 interest of justice, to determine who were participants in the awful murder. 
 , It ended in a ridiculous farce. John Betts, the chubby old man who gave 
 himself the reputation of being " the best tailor on Long Island," should 
 have been arrested for contempt on the spot ; and his was not the only 
 behavior which called for stern repression on the part of the court. There 
 were several instances of a similar kind, though perhaps not so openly con- 
 temptuous, that disgraced the solemn character of the inquest. 
 
 After a short discussion of no general interest, the coroner arose and 
 addressed the jury in the following laconic manner: 
 
 " Gentlemen, inasmuch as I cannot very well charge you without charging 
 you directly in favor of one side or the other, I shall not charge you at all. You 
 have heard the evidence. You may retire and deliberate upon your verdict." 
 
 At seven o'clock in the evening the jurymen repaired to an upper room in 
 the buildin<x, and commenced their deliberations. 
 
 Meanwhile, an anxious crowd filled the hotel and penetrated to the room 
 where the investigation was held. The assemblage was largely i^icreased 
 by wagon loads of men who came in from the surrounding country. Public 
 expectation Vv-as on the tiptoe of excitement. The bar-room was thronged 
 with people. Some endeavored to wile away the time in playing cards, 
 and others entertained groups of interested listeners with narratives of sur- 
 prising events tliat had happened to them, with an occasional variation of 
 the subject by a general invitation to the bar. The hours dragged slowly 
 along. Many a curious gaze was directed to the room wliere the " twelve 
 good men and true " were in deliberativ^e session, the light which gleamed 
 from the windows revealing to the earnest crowd below that the end would 
 soon be reached. 
 
 Wailing for the verdict ! What strangely solemn thoughts it inspires as 
 the mind contemplates the awful gravity of the situation ! What fears hang 
 upon its words ! The questions of guilt or innocence, of hope or despair, 
 of life or death ! 
 
 Midnight arrived, and still no tidings from that upper room ! But the 
 crowd lingered on, in expectation of a speedy result. Two o'clock came, 
 and then the announcement was made that as there was no probability 
 of their arriving at a unanimous verdict the jury would be dismissed 
 for the night. At last the waiting crowd dispersed, vexed and disap- 
 pointed. 
 
 Early that morning the jury were again convened, and after comparing 
 notes and pondering on the subject for three hours and a half, they agreed 
 upon a verdict, the text of which is as follows : , 
 
BB. BANKS, OKE OP THE LEADERS OF THE ' TAR PAJaTY." 
 
 ®r, IBanfS, cincr bcr 5eiter ber ,,S;I>eer-^^arici." 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE, 
 
 An inquisition taken before Valentine Baylis, one of the Coroners of 
 Queen's county, State of New York, and a jury of twelve men, duly sum- 
 moned and sworn, h: \ \ at the house of A. A. Reed, in the village of Oyster 
 Bay, on the remains lound floating in the harbor of Oyster Bay, Queon'.>i 
 county, State of New York, on the 2Uth day of August, 1873, do say upou 
 their oaths that the said remains are those of Charles (j. Kelscy, a resident 
 of the town of Huntington, Sulfolk county, State of New York, who dis- 
 appeared from that place on the night of November 4th, 1(S72. And the 
 jury further find that the said Charles G. Kelsey came to Ui^ death l)y 
 rea.^on of brutal treatment received at the hands of certain persons to I ho 
 jury unknown, in said tov, n of Huntington, on the night of Noveud)er 4th, 
 1872; and the jury also lind that Royal Sammis, (George B. Banks, Artliiir 
 T. Hurd, William J. Wood, John McKay and Henry R. Prime aided, 
 abetted and countenanced by their presence the committal of the gross out- 
 rage and inhuman violence upon the ])erson of the said Charles G. Kclscy, 
 ^vhieh led to his death on the night of November 4th, 1872; and th:it 
 Arthur M. Prime, Claudius B. Prime, S. H. Burgess, Rudolph Samuiis 
 and James McKay were accessories before the fact ! 
 
 Valentine BAYuy, Curc/Tier. 
 
 James M. Burtis, Foreman. Samuel S. Summers. 
 
 John Wilson Smitu. . Ali:xandi:r Fleming. 
 
 Jamks Starkins. James S\ttep.lee Clark. 
 
 John H. Vail. JasEPii B. Wright. 
 
 Edward Long. Joseph Ludlam. 
 
 Daniel N. C^vsitow. r John Wood. 
 
 It was hardly expected, from the testimony elicited during the investiga- 
 tion, that the jury could establish the exact degree of guilt of any of the 
 ]):irties whom they have arraigned. The positive evidence v.as tr^^eagrc 
 for that. But it was anticipated that the crime would be called by it^ 
 rightful name of murder. " Brutal treatment" is too trilling an accusation 
 to a[)ply to the perpetrators of a deed from M'hich all the natural instincts of 
 man turn away with disgusting abhorrence. However, with thc swecping 
 charaeter of the verdict, the public cannot fail to be satisfied. It. includes 
 the names of all those who are known to have lent their assisrance, either 
 <lireetly or indirectly, to the horrid work. Six for aiding and abetting, and 
 by their presence countenancinir the committal of the outrage, and five a? 
 acc(»s.-^ories before the fact. Eleven in all. Such is the recoi-d, as- estab- 
 lished by an intelligent jury of their peers, and on it they must stand bef^)^c^ 
 the enlightened opinion of the world. 
 
 The Supreme Court has already taken preliminary action in the case. At 
 the opening of the session in Riverhead, Long Island, the Hon. Jose[)h F. 
 Birnard, Presiding Judge, charged the Grand Jury, and among other 
 things ho alluded feelingly to the murder of Charles ^r. Kelsey as an infamous 
 outrage upon the good name of the county of Sulfolk. and a crime whioli 
 calletl ibr speedy investigation by the (Jrand Jury. He <leiiominatcd it as 
 an almost nameless crime, and charged them, as matter of law, that if tlie 
 perpetrators intended to kill Kelsey when they mutilated hiiTi it was itiurder, 
 and if they mutilated him without intending to kill him, and he died in <x)n- 
 %cquenee thereof, they eoidd find a bill either for manslaughter or niaylw^m. 
 
 It is hoped that the District Att(»rney will be able to pnKMini the attenci- 
 ance of the necessary witnesses before this Grand Jury, and that the trial 
 of the case will jjroceed at once. Meantime, the implicated parties iu 
 
00 TAKEIXG AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 Huntington will be arrested and held to await its action. A delay, how- 
 ever, would probably bring out other parties as accomplices in the killing, 
 Avhom the Coroner's jury at Oyster Bay say in their verdict are now unknown. 
 And t'lus this remarkable affair for the present ends. 
 
 What punishment is in store in the future for the evildoers remains to be 
 seen. Kelsey, who yielded up his life to their brutal atrocities, long since 
 passed to that " bourne from which no traveller e'er returns!" After a long 
 buffeting of the angry waves — the prey of the numerous fishes that infest 
 .the deep — a portion of his remains have at last found a resting-place among 
 'the tombs of his fathers! A sense of solemn quiet will ever pervade the 
 'spot where he lies in a dreamless repose — unbroken by the busy scenes 
 around him, and undisturbed by the noisy strife of contending factions ! AVill 
 he be forgotten outside of that lone circle who yet shed tears of bitter anguish 
 over his loss ? Will the world have no kindly tear to drop upon his grave? 
 In his own language: 
 
 " Oh, must oblivion rest on that name 
 
 ^V'liich to the world no marbles kindly tell, 
 Or love-words gave a sliadowy fame ? 
 
 Must that heart slumber on with no farewell 
 Breathed o'er it, recompenbing what beiel 
 
 Ii3 morning, vrhich lov.-'ring ,4i;;dov,-s darkened o'er, 
 Breaking the bright dream of life's luring spell ? " 
 
 No ! In many a heart the recollection of his cruel fate will linger, and long 
 years will not efface the awful deed that was perpetrated in the obscure 
 village of Huntington, by men who Jiave been termed its " best citizens," 
 on that dark and clieerless night of November 4th, 1872. And to those 
 who stand under the ban of the law in connection with the foul crime we 
 gay there is a Higher Court before which they must appear ere the stain is 
 wiped from off tlieir souls, and though justice is slow and maybe witiiheld 
 on earth, it is certain to overtake them at the Bar of Eternal Truth I 
 
 PKOCLAMATION. 
 
 State of New York: Executive Chamber, 
 
 Albany, October 2£th, 1873. 
 Whebeas, on the 4th day November last, Charles G. Kelsey was the subject of a gross 
 personal outrage at Huntington, in Suffolk county, and has not since been seen in that ncigli- 
 borhood ; and whereas, there are strong reasons for believing that liis life was taken on tlie 
 night of the same day by persons unknown ; now, therefore, I do hereby offer a reward of $3000 
 for information which may lead to the conviction of any person or per;^ons who may have caused 
 the death of the said Kelsey. 
 
 Done at the Capitol, in the city of Albany, this 29th day of October, 1873. 
 
 By the Governor : John A. Dix. 
 
 John W. Dix, Executive Secretary. 
 
 To conclude, Charles G. Kelsey was the possessor of a good education and 
 considerable literary taste and ability. He was master of several tongnes, 
 ninong which was the language of Greece, and he was also a profound thijiker. 
 To what extent his ambition woukl have carried him in the acquisition of 
 knowledge, had he lived, it is impossible to say, ' ;t his cruel and unwar- 
 rantable death, in the prime of manhood, calls foy the most severe punish- 
 ment the law can inflict upon the persons of his murderers. 
 
 The accompanying verses are selections from a small /olume of poetry, 
 entitled "The Huntington Burying Hill," written by the deceased in the 
 year 1870. The book is respectfully dedicated, by the author, "To all the 
 surviving friends of those who slumber upon the Old Burying Hill ! " 
 
 On that selfsame hill may be seen a grassy mound and a marble shaft — 
 the grave of the persecuted and lamented Kelsey ! 
 
TAKEIJS'G AN» FEATlIElllNG OUTRAGE. 
 
 THE HUNTINGTON BURYING HILL. 
 
 BY CHAJaLKS O. KELSEY. 
 
 'H "n$a 'Ejjtfto*. 
 
 With low-branched treea o'ergrown and waving graaa ; 
 
 The rising hill— the city of the dead— 
 Cerlooks the vale, and the road where thousandfl paaa; 
 
 There, crowned with shrub and tree, it lilUs its head. 
 
 On whoso green, sloping sides are thickly spread 
 Mossy memorials— brown stone or slate — 
 
 Upright or falKn, l)rok'n o'er the sleeper's bed; 
 Or marble, dingy or pure, of newer date, 
 All seeking Afl'ection's deatl to commemorate. 
 
 This grass-srrown mound, and many an ancient grav^ 
 Which distant years in sorrow made here, 
 
 Bear the sacrileg'ous marks a rude hand gave 
 In the days of war's tumult'ous career — 
 Marks wiiich in broken tombs and a fort appear. 
 
 Tho', like a scroll, that dark war-cloud has pass'd, 
 And the sunlight of Peace Ikus dawned with cheer 
 
 'Pon this mound's haggard brow, ever will last 
 
 The odium which that deed 'pon Rumfor I's name has cast» 
 
 We stood *pon its eminence where the throne 
 
 Invisible, of Death, its form u])lift'd, 
 And heard the breeze go by with many a moan 
 
 As each dead leaf it found and drifi'd. 
 
 While far o'erhcad, all scatu-rod and rift'd, 
 The sun-tinged cloud float'd far like a dream, 
 
 Or spirit, with mystic motion gifted, 
 Gazing down serene upon forms that seem, 
 Tho', in motion, noiseless as a soft gliding stream. 
 
 Far beyond meadows green a narrow band 
 
 Of water stretches, unrufiLil ami blue, 
 Bearing on its bosom, from foroiLni LukI, 
 
 Barks, driven i)y sail or steam, with gallant crew 
 
 Far from shores hailing, whom this favor'd huid drew, 
 Seeking requited toil — a land where all 
 
 The millions that hither come seem but few ; 
 Coming still in endless bands at tiie call 
 Of hope and of freedom from tyranny's dread thrall. 
 
 The locomotive sounds its warnir.g notes 
 
 O'er distant hills where silence unbroken reigned; 
 
 Its iron tramp upon the south wind floats, 
 
 Telling the wak'ning town what it has gained — 
 Wealth and rank, and loss, simplicity unfeigned. 
 
 To yon great city sets the restless lido 
 
 Of travel, which time '11 not its flow see waned — 
 
 Years will see come, to every shady hill-side 
 
 From cities' smoke and dust, tlio man of rank and prid& 
 
 But we are wandering : back to this si>ot 
 
 Where we are st;inding let our thoughts retnm, 
 Ami call \ip the siid shades of those forgot. 
 
 And weep o'er the ashes sprinkling their um ; 
 
 Rejoicing o'er memories that still l)urn 
 With undimmed rays in the l)osom of friendw. 
 
 Here, by their graves, let as linger and Icum 
 The Iciwon shunned, then here unfound, fliat loodft 
 Emport to li/e In all iU purpoeeH and cada. 
 
^TAERING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 On this island of Deatli's dreamless repose, 
 
 In the billowed ocean of life around, 
 "What mystic tlioaght from its Hiieaice grows; 
 
 What aug^stive relic-i here are found, 
 
 Drifted upon this consecrated ground. 
 From every quarter by .strange gales borne 
 
 In barks which instinctively seek this mound, 
 With rudder gone and sail and taclcle torn. 
 Seeking a harbor of rest — storrn a.iid tempest worn! 
 
 Here beneath our feet, dreamless, silent, still. 
 
 Repose Ibrms once active — now returning 
 To dust — the law of nature to fulfil ; 
 
 Once living, lit with the spirit's burning, 
 
 Now changed, dissolved, and v/itl-out life's yearning. 
 The dead of other days have surrendered here 
 
 All the eartii ciamib, w hile the spirit, spurning 
 The dross, lias gone fortli. in woe or cheer. 
 Amid darkness or light, {ojlnish its career. 
 
 Some who sank, perhaps, 'neath the weight of woe, 
 
 Are here, who with joy saw brake the coil 
 Of life that would loose them from the morrow — 
 
 Weary of to-day — its ne'er ending toil. 
 
 Its luring hopes which endless causes* foil — 
 Shut out from the world and denied its smile. 
 
 They had no joy or peace that death could ppoil ; 
 For they lived bencatii a dripping cloud, while 
 Before them tJiadows saw, which 'lone sad tears beguile. 
 
 But what ingredients of joy or woe 
 
 Were commingled through all the varied life 
 
 These sleepers lived we find not ; but Ave know 
 They rose awhile and mingled in the .strife 
 Where sorrows arc many and heart-aches rife. 
 
 Then bowed to the stroke of all conq'ring death — 
 Loved ones all, children, pareiUs, husband, wife; 
 
 Now of their fii-at and their last fleeting breath, 
 
 That they lived, tiiat llicy died, is all their headstones saith. 
 
 Flushed with high hope in life's young morning, 
 
 These, the tenants of the. tomb, speed'd their way, 
 Ever thinking the beams that were dawning 
 
 Were the torch-fires of a jubilant day ; 
 
 Till life's sad lesson tangiit the young and the gay 
 That shadows are hen — lliat sorrow's dark cloud 
 
 Oft inteicepts youth's most promising ray; 
 That time advancing is but weaving the shroud, 
 And guiding to the grave Death's shadowy crowd. 
 
 Here they find a long, long re^t; the wild storm 
 
 And snow-drift sweep harmless o'er their breast. 
 The lost world's forgotten, deluging cares form 
 
 No barrier to repose; its tempest 
 
 Is as unheede<l as the urn tlint has pressed 
 Long 'pon the earth-mantle that wraps tiieir clay. 
 
 Here from all toil and all hazard they rest, 
 Spending Death's dark night — waiting for the day 
 Of life that's coming, though it be ages away. 
 
 'Neath the earth-shroud that nature weaves for man-* 
 'Neath the green mound that rises like a wave 
 
 Eolling foamless, petrified there, to span 
 And beautify, else repulsive, the grave — 
 What hideous sights appear, unredeemed save 
 
 By the thought that ev'r plumes its deathless wing, 
 From the wrecks of diss'lution that death gave 
 
 To life a sequel, to which dread horrors cling 
 
 The thought that the soul's not a fleeting, passing thing. 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 'Tia dreadful into tlio grave's ark spaces, 
 . Through cleaving soil vith .spirit ^kcn to gaze, 
 And note the work of liino lli;iL left its traces 
 
 In a thousand loathsome and fearful way.«». 
 
 Here, loved and lovt iv fornH of other da/3, 
 Rest in diss'lution's vaii )ns Htagas; 
 
 Whose cold, shapeless dii«*t all unmeaning, lays 
 Matter's oiid death, the work of ages, 
 •The spirit gone — thj form paying to death lU wages. 
 
 Here fikelcton^, the more enduring iVamo 
 
 Of tlie spirii.'.s iL-aijiL* hi^il: by '-i^i.l 
 Divine, lio witiio It oiiia, ^ nc, 
 
 Ami wrappju in tiie av u mcnts which fill 
 
 Tlie plac-; of i . .at will 
 
 By nature's alcii :i h ilk. 
 
 SLrange, thirj ii . • . /lulc and ko ill 
 
 Appearing, once s ■ f i> v- j I and free, co:d<l walk, 
 And utter riouiids iiijio i;o m i:i ; or talk ! 
 
 Tlic visible to t])2 invisible 
 
 Here, slowly, on silent wing-; is ilceing 
 In death's sad, cold reiims aj'iorrent, until 
 
 What had lifj, weil pleaded with hearing — ^seeing, 
 
 Is lost in earth, or tiio breeze's being — 
 Indestructible linl<s in nattu'j's i-hain ; 
 
 Elements thai tak3 for:n, then 'gain freeing 
 Themselves from bonds, not long t/ius to remain 
 Matter insensate, bat springing to life again. 
 
 Such is dcat/i ; that which for earth's kind keeping, 
 
 By friendly hands so tenderly laid, 
 And watered with tears of sorrows weeping, 
 
 Rests not all in t\\i caverned grav\; decayed. 
 
 Its spirit like essence, in true life arrayed 
 From secoiui death, forth appears as a flow'r, 
 
 A shrub, or tree, by gjiitle brecz-s swayed ; 
 The breeze itself, the cload, the being of an hour, 
 The waving grass, the ihundcrbuit, or shower. 
 
 As we move in thongiit, beneatli tlie green cope 
 Of earth, from grav.: to grave, we mark 
 
 Forms sti I distinet, e'en lit with the Iioik; 
 The spirit left impressed, when, like a lark, 
 It rose free, soaring, leaving in the dark 
 
 Of earth its clay, dark rivo the Foul's twilight 
 That lingers 'rounil the siknt shattered bark 
 
 The spirit-voyager used, wliieii fioon the night 
 
 Of decay, by shadows, will hide from our sight. 
 
 *Yond this nil seemed fixed ; the forms that are gono 
 Have written on the drta l scroll of their dust 
 
 No prophecy ihat tluy'li rise and move on, 
 In the pomp oi coioc'ou.t being, from rust 
 And corruption whieii cliim them 'neath the crust 
 
 Of earth. Looking aloiw., down upon these 
 Changing, vanisliing forms, confess we must 
 
 That, were it not for Heaven's sure decrees, 
 
 No hope of life for them, or it, the soul could seize. 
 
 These who sleep so silent now around us, 
 
 (iay and free oiux? ganibodeil on the village green 
 In happy throngs — lirongs tliat now surround us 
 
 Void of life's j)ulse, of sorrows or jovs serene. 
 
 They, in the .Vaidemy's shade, with jov'al mien, 
 Ran to and fro, gbul awhile to l>e free 
 
 From the unwelwmc tasks that masters ween 
 For schoollx)ys' brains, not too severe to be. 
 Deeming their young eyes, as fax as their own can soow 
 
TAKRING AND FEATHERING OUTJRAGB 
 
 Back on the silv'ry tide of boyhood's days, 
 
 With bow reversed, in thought man oft is sailing ; 
 And as his dream-bark glides o'er those smooth ways, ' 
 
 Ev'ry fond and long-lost object he's hailing, 
 
 On those remembered shores where are trailing 
 The beams of life's fairest, happiest li^lit ; 
 
 Such dreams he finds o'er all prevailing. 
 Shedding an ettulgence o'er present night 
 Whose far-lit clouds, in boyhood's day, deceived his sight. 
 
 The distant school-day scenes, the' forev'r gone — 
 
 What thousand memories,bi'ing they not back, 
 Stemming time's current that is rolling on. 
 
 Imprinting anew the wave-worn track 
 
 On that life's smiling shore that ne'er shall lack 
 Incentives to reverie's magic hour ; 
 
 Whose harm'nies, by distance blend'd, o'er the rack 
 Of manhood's thought and toll, cu;:.o wii h pow'r. 
 Dispelling gloom-clouds that o'er its horizon low'r. 
 
 Few are the memories here time sliaii preserve 
 
 Inviolate from the sickle that reaps. 
 Age after age with oblivious curve, 
 
 Its harvest. Few are here who climbed the steeps, 
 
 The far, rugged mount Avhere the fame torch leaps. 
 What genius, what burning liear^ who can tell, 
 
 Might not have expired in the dust death now keeps 
 Sepulchred here, a Homer or a Cromwell, 
 
 Whose names, borne afar, might have filled fame's breeze's BwdOLf 
 
 It might have been — but their greatness is not, 
 
 Nor shall be, yet who deems the world unkind ? 
 But there is one who consecrates this spot, 
 
 Who lived in thought, and dreams of lofty mind, 
 
 One whose name 'lone 'pon tlie marble we find 
 Iilngraven, simple, touching, yet sublime; 
 
 That name, one of tliose bright links that bind 
 The ever-lengthening past with present time, 
 Shall live in affection, but longer in his rhyme. 
 
 There's a lonely mound which no grav'n stones mark— - 
 
 The grave of one — can passing years forget ? 
 Whose vision oft comes with eyes dreamy, dark, 
 
 Soft, gleaming, as they were, ere sorrow's fret 
 
 Dimmed their fire ; ere woes of a heartless world set 
 Their haggard seal upon her features fair. 
 
 Drying the fountain of her youthful spirit, 
 Making the world a gloomy desert bare ; 
 Her form is mouldering here — her spirit's where ? 
 
 Oh ! must oblivion rest on that name 
 
 Which, to the world, no marbles kindly tell, 
 Or love-words gave a shadowy fame ? 
 
 Must that heart slumber on with no Fq^ewell 
 
 Breathed o'er it, recompensing what befell 
 Its morning, which low'ring shadows darkened o'er, 
 
 Breaking the bright dream of life's luring spell. 
 Which, with regrets, tho' vain, some'll ev'r deplore, 
 As they wander amid clouds, on life's shadowed shore? 
 
 Thus, oft life's morning dawns, and before us 
 
 Flits a fairy form in beauty seeming . 
 Not of eartli, whose voice might swell the chorus 
 
 Of angel bands, or only in dreaming 
 
 Might exist ; but soon that form's bright gleaming 
 Fainter grovv-s, and, as onward moves the day. 
 
 Shadows fall around, and tears are streaming, 
 Hopes blighted, hearts untrue, life's fading ray 
 Shows that form, woe-stricken,_wending to the grave its waj. 
 
TARRING AND FEATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 Who, of ill! this villu.L^i', hits not a friend 
 
 Shrouded and waiting in the silent liall 
 Death here h:t-i built, waifin<^ dreandess the end 
 
 Of time, wlien the irun»})et's peal bliall call 
 
 Them from their duranee forih io rise, or fall, 
 Into deeper deatli ? To this Kicred spot, 
 
 Year by year, friend has folhnved triend, till all 
 Of a once long lineage have had their lot 
 Here sealed forev'r, and in the parsing years forgot 
 
 O'er their graves the rude tramp of time Is heard, 
 And at each sti'i) <iin\mcr grows the mem'ry 
 
 Of the dead slundicring here; not a word 
 Will be whispend when centuries Khali be 
 Chronicled o'er their dust, and none nhall see 
 
 Their sc jlpturcd names, or. seeing, shall inquire 
 Who they were, who. 'mid the ghastly comp'ny 
 
 Of the dead, now tune in vain their viewless lyre, 
 
 Whose note.-, swell not on the >V(irhl, but, unformed, Cipiro. 
 
 Wiio, of all that sin-vive, wish not to knf)\v 
 
 The state ol tliose who have pissed the Iliver, 
 Cold, of Death, whose dark w:ilers sluggish flow 
 
 Through the drear, chill vale that .-cuds a shiver 
 
 O'er the ])arling soul, which to the ( liver 
 Thus renders back itself with its merit. 
 
 Who? Ah ! who would not from doubt deliver 
 His thoughts as to what (haj inherit. 
 
 Who have pa.sscd to that world where they move a spirit? 
 
 Naught, to us, do the.se silent graves disclose 
 
 Of the durance of being, or the pa.st. 
 Or the future of those who now repo.sc 
 
 In Deatli'.s grasp, of the endless state and last— 
 
 The state beyond the grave, where sorrows cast 
 Tlieir shadow, or Avhere light uncreated 
 
 Dawns, rolling from fount invisible, fast 
 By the throne of (iod. Tvro conditions fated 
 Where mankind, to life or death, are reinstated. 
 
 Doth one that slumbers here walk 'mid the glooih 
 
 Pestilential ever liovering o'er, 
 And vaulting the sad, dreary vale of doom ? 
 
 Who, of tiic.se, weeping, tread the sable shore 
 
 Of woe, or on their dungeon's burning lloor 
 Exj)iate their sins, where, of vengeance due. 
 
 The scourge eternal reigns, and where no door 
 Of escape lures, in hope, the hopeless crew? 
 AVho? LoIthe.se ashes are silent — the spirit, too! 
 
 Some whose names are grav'n here, by wails of woe 
 
 Are measuring out eternity, clad 
 In whirlwinds of fire, and, borne to and fro, 
 
 ^Make gestures wild— expres.sions wofid, sad, 
 
 Without one ray of hope to make them glad, 
 Or tell them of the ending of their pain. 
 
 Or loosing from the grasp of demons mad. 
 Tortured by the thought of what thev ne'er can gain, 
 As swift they move 'mid storms of sulphurous rain. 
 
 But far other scenes to oin- eyes mivcil, 
 
 Beyond the circuit wide of rolling spheres, 
 AVhere saints winged from this inoun<l their flight, to hail 
 
 liriglili regions afar all devoid of tears. 
 
 Tho*«on this ancient hill, many long years 
 Have changed their bodies into shapeless earth; 
 
 Still they, in brightness arrayed, without feara 
 Of ch.inge remain, rising fronj'a second birth, 
 Into being inmiortal and celestial wortii. 
 
TAERING AND FfCATHERING OUTRAGE. 
 
 They there, with light wings, o'er the sea of glass, 
 
 Move to the sound of harp's trembling strings ; 
 Or, on the banks of life's stream musing pass 
 
 Their time unwearied, unnoted, which brings, 
 
 Perhaps, recollections of earthly things ; 
 Or thougiits of iliat city witli golden streets, . 
 
 Which in the distance looms and loudly rings 
 With choral symphony, which, coming, greets 
 Their ear, and its sound, in echoes, alar repeats. 
 
 Do these shades, freed from earth's cloy, to this mound 
 
 Wing, from their far abodes, their viewless flight, 
 And walk, with step u^nseen, o'er the ground 
 
 Where their bodies repose shrouded in a night 
 
 Of gloom ? Perhaps, they, in the moon's pale light 
 Wander unseen, viewing the world, whicli now, 
 
 To their changed foculties and their sight, 
 May a phantasy or moving shadow 
 
 Appear — scenes which, with earthly vision saw, now doubting know. 
 
 Perhaps, regardless of their dust which lies 
 
 Secure in nature's keeping, from their home — 
 Flying radiant from the vaulted skies — 
 
 On some glad mission or errand they come ; 
 
 Kindling thoughts, tho' their lips are sealed and dumb, 
 Mysteriously in tlie souls of those 
 
 They love ; 'rousing from slumber lethargic, some 
 By their sweet influence which, unseen, flows 
 From a fount invisible from whence it rose. 
 
 Thus, when life's conflict is o'er and vict'ry 
 
 Or defeat marks its weary campaign, 
 Death gives to its combatants fruits to see 
 
 In Perdition's woful dale, or the fane 
 
 Refulgent, gleaming in the skies where reign 
 Joys eternal. Thus, now, with bright abodes— 
 
 Or regions dolorous all with pain — 
 Stands linked, tho' obedient to nature's codes, 
 This mound, whence take the dead, afar, their chosea roads I 
 
 THE END.