The Van Nest Murder Case Multi-Cache
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This cache will take you to 3 related sites.
Site 1 - N042 54.188
W076 32.842 THE FINAL RESTING PLACE!
Find this inscription : "All murdered on the night of March 12, 1846" "Mysterious Providence indeed, Thou called us here to lie, Here where our bodies must remain Until the Judgement Day. But thou art righteous oh our God And doest naught in vain For whilst to us to live was Christ To die in Christ is gain. These mangled forms again shall rise At the last trumpet's sound, To dwell forever in the skies Where pain nor death is found. Farewell dear parents; children; friends. We'll not be parted long May we all meet in heaven again A saved and happy throng." (Skil.:stone cut by Reed & Clark Auburn, NY) Also footstones "S.W.V.N."; "G.W.V.N."; J.G.V.N."
Email me the answer to site 1 question - What are the
first names of
these people?
Site 2 - N042 53.441
W076 33.015 SITE OF THE DASTARDLY DEED!
This was a private home with NO historical marker - (but unfortunately has been lost in a fire.) [But, who do you think lived here in 1846 and what do you think happened here?]
Email me answer to this site 2 question - What numbers are on the route mileage marker just North of this home?
Site 3 - N042 55.711
W076 33.973 THE MAN WHO TRIED TO MAKE SENSE
OUT OF ALL OF THIS.....BUT HAS NOT
RECEIVED THE HISTORICAL CREDIT!!
A Plea of Insanity
In 1846 in Auburn, NY, Seward used the insanity plea to defend a former enslaved American, William Freeman. Freeman killed several members of a local white family while stealing a horse. William Seward did not win the case but won another trial. Unfortunately before this happened, Freeman died. An autopsy later disclosed scar tissue on his brain that experts from Bedlam, England testified could have explained his actions. William Freeman received the injury after being struck in the head several years before. {Freeman had been whipped in childhood by Lynch, Wellington, the police, and in prison. "Such a life, so filled with neglect, injustice and severity, with anxiety, pain, disappointment, solicitude and grief, would have its fitting conclusion in a madhouse." (Seward's summary to the jury - July 22, 1846)}.
Later in 1859 U.S. Representative Daniel E. Sickles, from NY would be credited as the first defendant to use the "temporary insanity" defense in the United States. In 1859, Daniel E. Sickles shot and killed Phillip Barton Key, and pleaded temporary insanity. Phillip Barton Key was the US Attorney who prosecuted the owner and captain of the Pearl. He was also the son of Francis Scott Key, the composer of our National anthem. To everyone's surprise, Sickles was acquitted of the murder following a twenty-day trial.
Site 3 questions - What is written on the scroll of paper
in the left hand?
Who were the members of "the local
white family" mentioned above?
There is an excellent book written about this case and is available at Seymour Library, Auburn, NY. The title is "Mr. Seward For the Defense" by Earl Conrad. Publisher is Rinehart & Company, Inc. 1956. (Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 56-7943
Enjoy this little escape into important local history!
Additional Hints
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