Morris County
Crime Newspaper Data
November 29, 1809
Morristown, N.J. Nov. 7
Horrid Outrage
Through different channels we are informed that last Saturday night Dr. William Boyles and his wife of Long Hill
in this County, were both shot as they were seated round the fire, by some persons outside of the house. It is
stated that the guns were pointed through the window; and that the contents of one of them passed through one side
of his throat, and the other wounded his wife in the breast. It is added that the lives of both (and particularly
his) are despaired of. We do not understand that the monsters in human shape who committed the act have been discovered;
as the darkness of the night favored their escape, as well as execution of their diabolical purposes. It is to
be hoped, however, they may soon meet the retribution due to such atrocious crimes. [The
Centinel, Gettysburg, PA - submitted by Nancy Piper]
January 25, 1882-The coroner's jury in the case of Bridget Shedecker, accused of poisoning her husband, Benedict,
in Dover, has rendered a verdict finding her guilty of willful and malicious murder. The opinion is prevalent that
she will be hanged, as the testimony is very strong against her.
March 8, 1882 - John Beam, a notorious character well known in the county, one of the few remaining members of the Fox Hill gang of thieves, has been sentenced to ten years in the State Prison, in the Morris County Courts, for a burglary committed last Christmas. The Beams have beed[sic] a terror to farmers in certain sections of Morris, Hunterdon and Warren counties for years, but at the present time but a few male members of the family have their liberty.