Herkimer county historical society
Famous Herkimer County Druse Murder of 1884
By Susan Perkins, Town of Manheim Historian
William Druse (1828-1884) and Roxalana (Teft) Druse (1842-1887) lived on Hogsback Hill Road in the Town of Warren in Herkimer County in a small farmhouse with a green door. The Druses had three children: Mary (1866-1915), Ellen “Nellie” (1869 – 1879), and William George Stewart Druse (1875-1944). Roxalana’s nephew, Frank Gates (1875-1950), was living with the family to help around the farm. William Druse was always in debt and was known for his bad temper. William and Roxalana argued a lot about lack of food and money. Arguments were exchanged in front of the children. One could say they did not have a loving relationship. One morning on Dec. 18, 1884, Roxalana asked Frank and George to leave the house. An argument ensued between William and Roxalana. The boys had gone 30 feet away when they heard a gunshot. Roxy had been hiding a .22 caliber pistol in the folds of her dress. She pulled out the pistol and shot her husband. Frank
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was called back to the house by Roxalana, with George not far behind him. William was face down on the table. Roxalana was hysterical and made Frank take the pistol and shoot his uncle. She took the pistol back and shot two more times. She then gave the pistol to Mary, who fumbled with it trying to load it. It accidently went off and the bullet went by her mother and Frank. It is believed that William was wounded but still alive. Roxalana retrieved an ax that William had threatened her with moments before and raised it over her head. William was lying on the floor by this time. He pleaded with her as she raised the ax over her head saying, “Oh, Roxy, don’t!” She ended William’s life by chopping his head off and proceeded to chop up the rest of his body and burn it in the parlor stove. Mary covered the windows of the house with paper so no one could
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