Charles Eacker & the Murder of Thomas Burdick
I'm not sure whether Charles Eacker is related to my ancestor Jacob I. Eacker although I suspect they might be somehow considering they both lived in Montgomery County, NY. So far, I haven't been able to locate Charles Eacker's parents or siblings to make a connection. In case there are those related to Charles, I am sharing what I've found on him so far.
If they are related, that would be two infamous shootings in the Eacker family.
The other was when George I. Eacker shot & killed Alexander Hamilton's son.
If they are related, that would be two infamous shootings in the Eacker family.
The other was when George I. Eacker shot & killed Alexander Hamilton's son.
Born in 1822 in the Town of Palatine, Charles Eacker’s life lacked any kind of stability. His father died in a State Prison while Eacker was a young boy, and he left home at an early age. First wife, Phelina Green, died in 1846 after only four years of marriage. Eacker had a restless spirit, moving around the county nomadically. By 1870, he was living in St. Johnsville, married a second time with two children – a boy and a girl.
Eacker had an affinity for alcohol and gambling – a lethal combination, especially in this case. In 1866, he allegedly made a bet with John Frey concerning the outcome of a lawsuit. Thomas Burdick, the victim, held the stakes in this bet. Upon reports of a hung jury, Eacker demanded his money back. Frey, claiming that Eacker lay a wager that a decision would be reached, authorized Burdick to give the stakes to the Overseer of the Poor, thereby enraging Eacker. His subsequent threats, however, did not frighten Burdick. It should be noted here that Eacker’s hatred of the victim was carried over from the previous generation when his father was sent to prison based upon evidence from Burdick’s father.
Thomas E. Burdick, a lawyer, schoolteacher and principal of the St. Johnsville Union Free School, was shot and killed on July 5, 1870 in the barroom of Nathan Briggs’ Franklin House hotel on a night of festivities and celebration by Charles Eacker. Eacker was immediately arrested and it "was with great difficulty that the people were prevented from lynching him."
On May 26, 1871, he was hanged in Fonda, Montgomery County, NY. According to a NY Times article published at the time:
"At an early hour the roads leading to the village were crowded with long lines of carriages bringing thousands of people
from all parts of the country. Company A, Eighty-third Regiment, S.N.G. under command of Capt. John Warner, arrived from
Amsterdam on an early train, and surrounded the place of execution. A large force of special Deputy Sheriffs were also placed
on guard. About half an acre of the lawn outside the jail had been enclosed with a strong stockade of planks fifteen feet in
height. Near the center the gallows was placed. It was newly built of heavy timber uprights, cross-beams and braces, and
painted a hideous black.
At 9 o'clock Mrs. Eacker and her two children - a lad of twelve and a miss of eleven - entered the condemned cell, where the
farewell scene was most affecting. Many of his friends then came and bade him adieu, but he scarcely paused from smoking
his pipe to notice them. The scenes in the principal avenues of the village adjacent to the jail beggar all description. From five
to ten thousand were crowded in the avenues surrounding the Court-house square. An enterprising and unscrupulous couple
had erected a stand in the public highway against the stockade and charged $2 each for seats. As soon as this was discovered
by Deputy Sammons, he made a sortie and dispersed the occupants. The military then took and held possession of it all. All
the neighboring roofs were black with accumulated humanity. One of these being in a dilapidated state, suddenly gave way
and precipitated a huge mass of flesh and broadcloth to the earth. Roars and shouts of laughter greeted this ridiculous
catastrophe, which happily, was unattended with any serious results...
...Eacker was then placed in a chair directly under the gallows. There was not the slightest trace of nervousness or
trepidation in his manner, but a ghastly pallor spread over his countenance as he gazed about. The Sheriff in a loud clear
voice read the death warrant, and then asked Eacker if he had anything to say. He replied: "I suppose the law must take its
course; I am willing; but I am innocent."
Sources:
Montgomery County, NY website
Charles Eacker Memorial - on Findagrave
The Murderer's Doom - New York Times article about Eacker's execution; published May 26, 1871
Eacker had an affinity for alcohol and gambling – a lethal combination, especially in this case. In 1866, he allegedly made a bet with John Frey concerning the outcome of a lawsuit. Thomas Burdick, the victim, held the stakes in this bet. Upon reports of a hung jury, Eacker demanded his money back. Frey, claiming that Eacker lay a wager that a decision would be reached, authorized Burdick to give the stakes to the Overseer of the Poor, thereby enraging Eacker. His subsequent threats, however, did not frighten Burdick. It should be noted here that Eacker’s hatred of the victim was carried over from the previous generation when his father was sent to prison based upon evidence from Burdick’s father.
Thomas E. Burdick, a lawyer, schoolteacher and principal of the St. Johnsville Union Free School, was shot and killed on July 5, 1870 in the barroom of Nathan Briggs’ Franklin House hotel on a night of festivities and celebration by Charles Eacker. Eacker was immediately arrested and it "was with great difficulty that the people were prevented from lynching him."
On May 26, 1871, he was hanged in Fonda, Montgomery County, NY. According to a NY Times article published at the time:
"At an early hour the roads leading to the village were crowded with long lines of carriages bringing thousands of people
from all parts of the country. Company A, Eighty-third Regiment, S.N.G. under command of Capt. John Warner, arrived from
Amsterdam on an early train, and surrounded the place of execution. A large force of special Deputy Sheriffs were also placed
on guard. About half an acre of the lawn outside the jail had been enclosed with a strong stockade of planks fifteen feet in
height. Near the center the gallows was placed. It was newly built of heavy timber uprights, cross-beams and braces, and
painted a hideous black.
At 9 o'clock Mrs. Eacker and her two children - a lad of twelve and a miss of eleven - entered the condemned cell, where the
farewell scene was most affecting. Many of his friends then came and bade him adieu, but he scarcely paused from smoking
his pipe to notice them. The scenes in the principal avenues of the village adjacent to the jail beggar all description. From five
to ten thousand were crowded in the avenues surrounding the Court-house square. An enterprising and unscrupulous couple
had erected a stand in the public highway against the stockade and charged $2 each for seats. As soon as this was discovered
by Deputy Sammons, he made a sortie and dispersed the occupants. The military then took and held possession of it all. All
the neighboring roofs were black with accumulated humanity. One of these being in a dilapidated state, suddenly gave way
and precipitated a huge mass of flesh and broadcloth to the earth. Roars and shouts of laughter greeted this ridiculous
catastrophe, which happily, was unattended with any serious results...
...Eacker was then placed in a chair directly under the gallows. There was not the slightest trace of nervousness or
trepidation in his manner, but a ghastly pallor spread over his countenance as he gazed about. The Sheriff in a loud clear
voice read the death warrant, and then asked Eacker if he had anything to say. He replied: "I suppose the law must take its
course; I am willing; but I am innocent."
Sources:
Montgomery County, NY website
Charles Eacker Memorial - on Findagrave
The Murderer's Doom - New York Times article about Eacker's execution; published May 26, 1871