MANCHESTER TRAGEDY.
engraved from a daguerreotype by brown.
Life and Death of Sarah H. Furber.
MANCHESTER, N. H.
PUBLISHED BY FISK & MOORE 1848.THE
MANCHESTER TRAGEDY.
A
SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND DEATH
OF
MISS SARAH H. FURBER,
AND TUB
TRIAL OF HER SEDUCER AND MURDERER
BY GEORGE CARROLL.
MANCHESTER, N. H.:
PUBLISHED BY FISK & MOORE 
1848.MISS SARAH H. FURBER.BIOGRAPHY.
INTRODUCTION.
The death of a human being is always, under all circumstances, an event which brings a pang of sorrow with it,—sometimes, and I may safely say most often, the deepest in the humblest condition of life. To feel that the hour of final separation is approaching—that the kind offices, in life unnumbered, between friend and friend, must cease forever, and the grave set its seal of silence on the lips of those we love, is an anguish too bitter for human hearts to bear, even when attended by the gentlest alleviations. But when such an event occurs to a friend, a relative—to a member of our own household, who in a dying hour can be administered to only by strangers’ hands, or whose life has been periled—sacrificed by a stranger’s arts —may we never know its agony.
PARENTAGE AND FAMILY.
Miss Sarah H. Furber was the daughter of Mr. William Furber, of Nottingham, N. IT, and was born October, 1825. In the family, are four children still living,—two sons and two daughters, who, as far as the writer of this narrative is informed, sustain an unblemished reputation. Mr. Furber is a poor, but honest and industrious farmer, generally respected by his fellow citizens,who have in former years manifested their confidence in his integrity and ability, by conferring on him important duties in the affairs of the town.— Beyond this he never aspired, being content to live in6
amity with his neighbors, and in an humble, quiet way, provide for the necessities of his family.
The maiden name of Mrs. Furber, the mother of Sarah, was Butler—a family not unknown in the political history of New Hampshire,—several highly respectable members of which still reside in Rockingham County. Though in early life Mrs. Furber was not an accomplished lady in the modern sense of the term, she was high-minded, energetic, and possessed many personal attractions; in which respects, the daughter strikingly resembled her.
CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION.
At the age of about 12 years, Sarah left her father's house to reside with Hon. Josiah Butler, of Deerfield, a town adjoining the place of her nativity ; where she remained most of the time until she was fifteen or sixteen years old. Nothing occurred while she was there, or previously worthy of record, which is not incident to the history of any other person in similar circumstances. She, like most other children, was wild and rude, and sometimes unwilling to submit to necessary restraint, yet she possessed the elements of a true woman,—a generous nature, a frank and confiding heart and an active mind.
Her education was limited to the advantages of a district school. Yet she was not an illiterate girl. A person of her temperament, and activity of mind would feel the promptings of ambition too keenly to allow her long to remain inferior in mental acquirements to others of equal privileges. She, in fact, possessed a good Fnglish education. Her moral training might, perhaps, have been more defective. It probably was, or she would not have yielded to the allurements of the deceiver, and sacrificed that virtue which is above price—a woman's honor.7
PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
Sarah was now in her seventeenth year. We must look upon her as a child no longer. Her appearance, her conversation, and her demeanor have all changed, and she has hecome a young lady. As has been already intimated, she was personally beautiful, and quite prepossessing in her manners. Her form was rather above the medium size, and of perfect symmetry.— Her step was elastic, firm and graceful. A finely arched brow cast a softened shade on the light of a full eye, and the dark brown locks which fell upon her neck, or played in the breeze, added new beauty to a face which otherwise was not destitute of attractions. Nature was not sparing in its endowments. She was one that a father might be justly proud of. And countless times has that parent as he looked upon his child raised his thoughts to Heaven, thanking God he had a daughter such as she.
MR. GARDNER INGALLS.
Though this sketch is not one of fiction, it is full of romance, as the introduction of new characters and the occurrence of new events will show. Mr. Ingalls is an artist, in which profession he has acquired considerable reputation. He is a fine looking man of commanding appearance, high forehead and keen black eye, and is, one would judge, about thirty-five years old. His place of residence is the town of Sand-bornton, where he has a wife and one child, a beautiful daughter, now about fifteen years of age.
RESIDENCE AT HAVERHILL.
After leaving Deerfield, Miss Furber resided for a year or more at Haverhill, Mass., where she was re-8
moved entirely from parental care. A mother’s watchful eye was not on her now—a father’s admonitions could not reach her ear. She was her own mistress. Young, trustful, and fascinating, it would be strange if she was not flattered and seduced from a course of virtuous integrity, by the artful and designing who sought her company. It was here she first became acquainted with Ingalls, whose name will be more closely connected with our future history. He spent some time in the same family where she resided, and while we exercise the most liberal charity, it is hardly possible to believe that he was wholly innocent, even then. From that hour, may we date the foundation of her sure, though slow-coming ruin. There, the first word of infamy was whispered in her ear. Then and there fell upon her the mildew of death, which for a time she might retard, but could not wholly avert. There the serpent entered the Eden of her young and trustful heart, and breathed upon it the curse of Hell! Weep ! Oh, parent, for confiding innocence has been betrayed. Mourn, Oh, absent wife, for thy husband has falllen! Oh thou young child of beauty, let thy ears be sealed in eternal silence, that thou mayst not know a guilty father’s sin.
RESIDENCE AT BOSTON AND NOTTINGHAM.
After leaving Haverhill, she resided at Boston or at Nottingham until she came to Manchester. Of her history while in Boston, the author of this sketch can learn nothing of any importance. If her deportment there, or afterwards was exceptionable, it was unknown to her friends.
RESIDENCE AT MANCHESTER.
It was in the spring of 1847 that Miss Furber came to Manchester, and was employed in the Amoskeag9
Mills. At first, and for months even, nothing was known of her, beyond the circle of her immediate friends and acquaintances. At length she began to attract attention, and the inquiry “ who is she ” was frequently made. Her society began to be courted. At the dance and the social party her hand was of-tenest solicited. Constant at her daily labor, and regular in her habits at home, she was not suspected of imprudence. She was not found in the company of the dissolute,—was never seen at the theatre, and until the past winter, had not visited the dancing hall or ball room. That she was too fond of the attentions of the other sex and of their company, the sequel of our narrative plainly reveals. But that she was guilty of criminal familiarity with them, was scarcely surmised, even by her most intimate friends. During the winter, and previously, she is said to have been several times in the company of Ingalls for whom she cherished, apparently, a high regard.— Whether she was informed of his real situation in life is not known. Possibly she had been so much deceived as to believe honestly that he had not a wife and child, then living at no great distance, and that he would, indeed, some day, make her the chosen one of his heart.
THE DEPARTURE.
On the 17th of May last, Miss Furber left her boarding house, with the pretence of going to spend a few days with a relative residing in the city. The time she was to be absent soon passed—Saturday had come and gone—the Sabbath awakened an anxiety for her safety. One day more, and diligent search was made, —her friends were informed of her disappearance— her clothes, her trunk, which remained at her boarding house were carefully examined, with the hope that10
thereby some trace might be found of her. All in vain. No syllable had she left to record her fate. From intimations, however, contained in letters found among her effects, the conviction was forced upon the mind that she had been guilty of great indiscretion, and, to conceal the disgrace which a disclosure would inevitably bring, had, compelled by her own proud spirit, added crime to folly and died by a suicidal hand. But this was all conjecture. Time passed on, and day by day, the excitement increased. Thousands heard for the first time the name of Sarah Furber. Where was she—and what could be her fate ? This was the only subject of conversation upon the streets or in the family circle.
DR. JOHN McNAB.
We must here introduce another character. Would that we could be spared the pang which the mention of his name will cause in the bosom of the bereaved friends. Dr. John McNab was, less than two years ago, a total stranger in the City of Manchester. He came from the town of Barnet, Vt., where his family still reside. In that section he was regarded as a skillful physician and could number among his friends many of the most influential citizens in that County. But there he sustained a reputation, which, in one par-particular, was by no means enviable,—a reputation gained by a course of practice that respectable physicians look upon with abhorrence. He appears to be about fifty years old, though he is not far from sixty-five.
A STRANGE DISCLOSURE.
At length, the mystery is revealed. The intelligence is brought from a distant city that the body of a,11
young lady had been conveyed thither and offered for dissection, by Dr. John McNab ! A messenger was dispatched, who at once recognized the body as that of Sarah H. Furber! What terrible suspense now filled the public mind ! What anxious questionings and strange conjectures! Was McNab her murderer —or had he been made the instrument to conceal another’s guilt ? With trembling lips her name was spoken, and hearts beat quick at the thought of her mysterious death. Every word in regard to her, went, as if on telegraphic wires, and was sought more eagerly than the record of European revolutions. Yet but few knew her history, and fewer still could tell the story of her dying hour.
CONCLUSION.
A few words more will suffice to record all that is known of Sarah H. Furber.
On the 17th day of May, she left her boarding house, went to the residence of Dr. McNab, and placed herself under his care, for what purpose, the reader by this time is well convinced. She had acted indiscreetly and could not endure the reproach to which a knowledge of her conduct would subject her. This was her only hope. Her reputation in life was then suspended on a frail support. The safety of her guilty paramour was in the greatest danger. She for protection, sought the betrayer of her confidence, and he advised to a course which proved fatal in its results. This, her last hope, was vain, and she within less than one brief week was numbered with the dead.
Who, through her days of anguish, stood by her bedside, and administered to her wants, who watched the pulsations of her heart, as hour by hour, they beat more feebly, who closed her dying eyes, or wiped the death-damp from her brow, none can know until thesecrets of all hearts are revealed. None but her murderer is known to have been with her, during those days of the deepest agony, to alleviate one pang, or whisper in her ear one kind word. There, with him alone, she died. No woman’s voice but her’s was heard in that chamber—no friend was there to hear her last requests or bear a long farewell to her parental home.
But the most revolting scene is yet to be described. It was not enough that she should be deceived, abandoned and murdered. The cup of her agony was full, but her friends must be made to drink still deeper of its bitterness.
When life became extinct, immediately, before the blood had become cold in the veins, he who had caused her death, deposited, with his own guilty hands, the dead body, embedded in straw and charcoal, in a coarse, rough box, marked “ glass,” and conveyed it, as baggage, to Boston and offered it to the Medical College for dissection.
What followed,—how, with the guilt of the murder on his soul, he hired the porter to dispose of the body —how after being carried about from place to place, having barely escaped the knife of the anatomist, it was embalmed by a stranger’s hand and thus preserved to meet her destroyers, in an unexpected hour, the report of the examination will fully explain.
On Saturday June 10th, the dead body was brought from Boston to Manchester, conveyed thence to Nottingham, the place of her birth, and on the Sabbath following committed to the keeping of the silent earth forever. Though she died among strangers, she rests now in the land of her kindred, where no rude foot shall tread in mockery on her grave. The errors of her life, may they be all forgotten, while her virtues shall forever brighten to her memory.EXAMINATION.
The examination of John McNab, Gardner Ingalls, and Horace T). McNab, on complaint of Jacob F. James, charged with the murder of Miss Sarah H. Furber, took place at the Manchester Police Court, on Monday, June 12, 1848.
The complaint charges murder against John McNab of Manchester, Horace D. McNab of Manchester, and Gardner Ingalls of Exeter, in and upon one Sarah H. Furber of Manchester, in that they procured to be administered to her, on or about the 17th of May last, some deleterious drug for the' purpose of procuring abortion, and from the effects of which she died; and again that on or about the 17th of May they attempted to procure abortion upon her by the use of some sharp instrument, from the effects of which she died. To which complaint the prisoners severally plead NOT GUILTY.
Also, another complaint against Gardifer Ingalls and Horace I). McNab, for aiding, counselling, and procuring John McNab, by poison, or otherwise, to cause the death of said Sarah II. Furber.
Daniel Clark, Esq., for the prosecution. ’
Geo. W. Morrison, Esq., for the defence.
The first witness examined was
Mrs. Phcbe Lufkin. I keep a boarding house at No. 10 Am* herst street, in this city; knew Sarah Furber; she boarded with me—she went atvay from my house the first of the winter with some boarders that I turned olf because they attended dancing school ; she stayed away three weeks, then came back and stayed a few weeks, when she went home on a visit; was gone three or four weeks ; came back and stayed till three weeks ago last Wednesday afternoon, about four o’clock, when she went away,—she said she was going to her uncle Kersey’s; said she might be back that night, or not until Saturday night; she wore a green and white DeLaiue dress. On Wednesday morning, w hen she came down stairs she complained of being unwell, said she was sick enough to die ; she didn’t know wffmt ailed her ; she was very cold and had no natural feeling of herself. I told her she had taken cold,—she thought not.
I told her to sit down .by the stove and try and get warm. She did so. I built a fire, and threw a show lover her ; she vomited two mouthfuls of dark-colored matter which smelt like laudanum. Know the smell of laudanum in its natural state. 1 advised her to take something. She inquired what there was in the house to take. I knew of nothing, except some bitters in Mrs. Clay’s room, left by Dr. Brown. Offered her some of Hull’** physic, and she took a teaspoonful; I then poured out and gave her a cup of w arm green, tea which we had for break-14
fast, which she drank'and then vomited once or twice. I wanted her to have a doctor, but she said she would not, and if a doctor came in she would leave the house. She did not wish anything to eat; said she did not think she was going to have a fever or the measles. I told her she had better go up stairs and lay down, and offered to assist her. She said she was better and could go alone. I saw no more of her till half past 12, she was then lying op a bed in the room over the kitchen, where Mrs. Clay had been sick ; said she was dizzy and would not come down to dinner; I sent up my youngest daughter twice before this to see if she would not have a doctor or some medicine, or some gruel; I also got Mrs. Clay to ask her. I saw nothing more of her till about 4 o’clock that afternoon, when she came and stood upon the broad stair of the cellar kitchen where I was ; said she was better, and said she was going to her uncle Ilersey’s. I told her she had better not, as she was too -unwell. She said she should go, as her uncle was going away, and lief aunt ^vished her to come. She went up stairs and 1 saw no more of her till she was brought back dead.
The morning before she went away, I saw her counting some money which she had in a shaded purse; saw some change and bills; noticed one bill which appeared to be a three or five ; when she came to the cellar kitchen be/ore going out, she had the same purse in her fingers ; she said if she never came back she would leave enough to pay her board. 1 do not know that the purse has since been seen ; she had three or four rings,, a large bosom pin, a gold pencil, and a bracelet; no chain to my knowledge ; never knew her to vomit or be sick until the morning before she went away; she did not go into the mill after Monday noon ; she said she was going to stay out a week to make her aunt Hersey a visit; she slept in the room with Mrs. Clay and her daughter Adeline ; I and my daughter did her washing. On Monday of the week before she went away she said she was going to throw off her quilted coats find join the aristocracy, and when she had done so I saw her.form looked rather curious; I thought she was larger than natural; had no oonversation with her about her growing fat ; never saw any thing uncommon till then ; she liked pickles, apple sauce, and brown bread; she had lately been altering her dresses, hut do not know that she had made them larger; she had not on the same dress in the morning as when she went away ; in the morning she had on a dark colored small figure calico dress. I was present when a billet was taken from the dress she wore in the morning; she went out the afternoon before she went away, as she said, to her aunt Herscy’s, and when she came in she had the billet in her fingers ; it was the same billet; next saw it when taken out of the pocket of the dress by lawyer23
letter from him in answer to one I wrote. The answer, I passed'to Mr-James (identified the letter;) letter was read and was as follows :
Exeter, May 31, 1848.
Dear Brother:—I received a letter from from you last evening saying there was ft rumor afloat in Manchester, that there was a young woman missing from the place; that there had been a letter found in her trunk supposed to have come from me; that the friends were anxious to gain some information respecting her, and that if there had been any thing on foot, why I did not let you know it, &c. I was about doing so, but Anally thought it was not necessary. In regard to the girl, I know nothing where she is, and can give no information ; but I have not the least doubt that she is safe, and will in due time return to her friends.
Yours, tec.	G.	INGALLS.
[Superscribed—“W. Ingalls, Artist, Manchester, N. H.”]
John B. Baily sworn. Had charge of Mr. Ingalls soon after his arrest He spoke of being in uncomfortable quarters; said he would give a thousand dollars to get out of it.
Cross-examined. He said he wasn’t used to being confined ; that he should rather pay a thousand dollars than to have so much trouble ; not that he was guilty, but he disliked to have so much trouble as to his family.
A letter was then read, admitted to be in the hand writing of Horace McNab, one of the respondents ; letter read and was as follows :
Miss Fubber:—Do me the favor to call this evening—say 8 o’clock, and see
Your friend,	Me.
Wednesday evening.	“	P.	S. Do not disappoint me.”
[Directed “Miss Sarah Furber, 12 Amherst St.”]
Here the City Solicitor rested the case on the part of the prosecution. Court adjourned to 2 o’clock.
DEFENCE.
No evidence was introduced in behalf of Dr. McNab.
Charles A. Traflon sworif. Reside at No. 5 Pine St. Manchester, am engaged in Dry Goods business, store on Elm street, in Joy’s Block, near the Museum, Horace McNab has been in my employ, commenced Sept. ’47 and remained until the day of his arrest, (examines the billet,) have seen the billet before, May 10, Wednesday evening; left the next Tuesday following for Boston with my brother; brother carried the note, has not returned, has gone to Augusta, Me., saw it written on our desk in the store, was standing by the side of him, one foot from him, saw it distinctly, saw him fold and seal and direct it, same form as now, passed to the front door and called the boy and sent it Went from store to house at 8£ to evening, saw Miss Furber on my way, in the door of < her boarding house, with a gentleman, as I passed up Amherst street, within one rod of Dr. Gates’ sign on the door, couldn’t say which way, east or west, have seen no change in his hours of business, more punctual if anything, had more to do. The deceased has traded at our store, commenced about the first of January.
Cross-examined. I determined the time by my going to Boston on the Monday following with my brother; I determine my time of going to Boston by having bills and notes become due at that time ; I have seen McNab write a great many notes, not to any other lady in this place.
Charles ,Y. Trowbridge sworn. Been in Mr. Trafton’s employment for three months past Horace McNab has been in same employment, boarded and roomed together about three months. I saw McNab deliver a note to Mr. Trafton’s brother. It was Wednesday before Traflon and his brother went to Boston; McNab and I wrent home together,..I went to the Museum ; about 10<£ sawr McNab, he Was not at the AJnseum to my knowledge, on Wcdnesday evening, the week after, he was at the Museum*24
w ith me, went from the store, he was in the store that afternoon and evening till we went to the Museum; went home together; he retired about the same time with me.
Cross-examined. I think he went on Tuesday to Boston; he told mo he had bills to pay, I fix the time by its being the Wednesday evening before the boy left, I don’t know whether I was at the Museum ou Wednesday 17th, or not, I have not understood that I was asked.
Thaddeus A. Jones sioorn. I board 41) Bridge Street, on the Stark corporation. Three weeks ago last Wednesday evening, Horace McNab called, I went to the door and heard him go in, it was about 8 o’clock, I fix the time because the day before our May training ; he called for Miss Warren.
Maria Warren sworn. I saw Horace McNab three weeks ago last Wednesday evening at my boarding house, 49 Bridge Street. He spent the most of the evening there, left between 10 and 11 in the evening.
Walter Ingalls re-called. I went up the 10th, and my brother was to go down, I know nothing as to any lady’s calling about any thing named in the letter.
Cross-examined. Two young ladies called the second day after I came to Manchester on the 20th of April, and one of them asked if I had heard any thing from my brother, I had word from him in relation to a portrait of Miss Crockett, I had no letter.
[Other evidence was introduced to show' that young McNab wras in Boston the last of May, and also that he went on business for his employer.]
The evidence for the defence closed here.
Mr. Morrison, here, by an agreement with the counsel for the government, made a motion to discharge Horace McNab, on the insufficiency of the evidence. Motion sustained, and Horace McNab was discharged.
Mr. Morrison then moved that Hr. John McNab be discharged ; not granted. The Court decided that the evidence was sufficient to hold Dr. John McNab for further examination.
Mr. Morrison submitted the question as to whether this was a bailable offence. This question was argued at some length by the counsel.
The Court decided that this is not a bailable offence, and ordered that John McNab be committed till the next term of the Court of Common Pleas and then to answer to the complaint.
* Mr. Clark suggested that there were twro complaints against Gardner Ingalls; one for murder and the other for aiding and assisting in the murder, and that the counsel had agreed that whatever offence the Court should find him guilty of within the limits of the complaints, they would bide the same and their order thereupon. He suggested this because the evidence was the same that had been produced, and it would be a saving of time, to avoid a recapitulation.
Mr. Morrison then summed up the evidence bearing Upon the connection of the respondent with this affair, and commented upon the same.
lie was followed by Sir. Clark in a recapitulation of the evidence, and Vcmarks upon it in a very eloquent and touchin manner.
The Court then gave its opinion that on the finst complaint, the evidence is not sufficient to sustain the allegation. w)n the second complaint that the evidence is sufficient, and that Gardner Ingalls be recognized iu U414 sum of $1,!>00, with two good and sufficient securities in the same amount,Ho appear for trial at the Court of Common Pleas next to be holdon iu this County, on the 4th Tuesday of October nextFISK & MOORE,
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