MYSTERY SURROUNDS
FARMER’S DEATH
Charles T. Quackenbush, a well-to-do farmer living near Parker’s Corners, about midway between Altamont and Schenectady, died Saturday night in the Ellis hospital from injuries supposed to have been sustained in a fall from the hayloft of his barn. He was taken to the hospital on New Year’s day suffering from several fractured bones and internal injuries. 

Members of the family were not satisfied with the theory that Mr. Quackenbush’s injuries were the result of an accident, and they started an investigation by Albany authorities. Developments during the week have left little doubt that Mr. Quackenbush was clubbed by some one, causing the injuries from which he died. 

The fact that Mr. Quackenbush was in the habit of carrying considerable money on his person and this was missing when he was found, lends strength to the murder theory now advanced. Another mysterious fact was that shortly after the ambulance hurried away with the injured man, his garage was discovered on fire. 

Henry Hebel, a neighboring farmer, found Mr. Quackenbush lying in the barnyard unconscious and reported the fact to Mrs. Quackenbush, then hurried out to where the farm help were at work. The Albany county sheriff’s office detained Hebel for questioning at headquarters until Thursday, when Hebel’s attorney secured a writ of habeas corpus from Supreme Court Justice Ellis J. Staley, and after a hearing he was released. 

The reported story of the events leading up to the death of her husband, as told by Mrs. Quackenbush, is as follows:
“My husband left the house about 8:30 o’clock Friday morning and went down to the barn. Edward Johnson and Edward Nichols, a neighbor, were working in the woodlot back of the barn. About 11:30 o’clock I saw Henry Hebel, another neighbor, come into the yard but did not pay any attention to him. It was about twenty minutes later that he ran to the house and asked for a blanket and said that Charley was hurt. 

“He did not wait for the blanket but ran to the woodlot and called the men. I called the doctor and after the men came they brought my husband into the house on a ladder used as a stretcher. Hebel was not with them. About thirty-five minutes later I looked out of the window and saw the garage burning. Mr. Quackenbush always carried between $400 and $500 in his pocket but there was only $21 on his person and that was in a pocket where he did not carry his money.” 

The case is regarded by the district attorney’s office as one of the most perplexing in recent years. If Mr. Quackenbush was injured by a fall from the barn loft, how did he get into the barnyard and close the heavy doors? His injuries were such that this seems impossible. If he was murdered he must have been subject to a brutal attack, for he suffered a broken hip, several broken ribs and a fracture of the skull. It is hoped that further evidence may be found that will clear up the mystery. 

BERNE 

The dance in the Maccabee hall New Year’s eve was well attended.  

DORMANSVILLE 

Simpson Carr has been helping Bert Gibbons repair his ice house. He has it filled with nice ice now.