Martin Casey of Stephentown, the so-called "terror of the mountains" and an antagonist in a long-running local feud, is gunned down today after allegedly attempting a drive-by shooting of one of his enemies, The Record reports.
Frank Carr, a farmer and charcoal burner, pleads not guilty to a murder charge tonight. He surrenders to authorities at his home after admitting that he killed Casey in self-defense.
The Carr family has feuded with the Caseys for at least fifty years, according to old-timers in Stephentown. At least three people have been killed, counting Casey, over the course of the feud.
Dateline: Thursday, May 26, 1910. Stephentown, NY
So far, Carr is the only source of information on Casey’s death.
"Casey had been to North Stephentown and was driving home. As he passed the Carr house, between North Stephentown and Stephentown Center, he detected his old enemy standing leisurely in front of the place, smoking his pipe.... [T]he man in the wagon, deliberately drawing his revolver, fired two shots at Carr at a comparatively close range. Neither bullet found the mark for which it had been intended.
"Carr hurried into the house, it is said, and took down his rifle. In less than a minute he reappeared outside and drew a careful bead on his adversary, slowly driving down the road. There was a shot, just one, and with the sharp crack and little puff of smoke the terror of Stephentown was no more."
The coroner confirms that Carr got his man straight through the heart, and that Casey was most likely dead before he hit the ground. Carr then "calmly resumed his smoke and awaited developments."
History can be such an interesting thing. I can't think of any Casey's in the area still but author Caleb Carr lives just a short ways up the road (his father having been in an interesting incident or two himself) and not too long ago we had quite the to-do with the state DEC and a company called Synagro and their handling of the "Carr pit" mine reclaimation project. Interestingly enough right along what was probably the road between North Stephentown and Stephentown Center back in 1910.
The article also states that this fella Casey's father served 2 years for killing a member of the Rathbone family who were friends of the Carr's. And there are Rathbone's still in town who I've met while going door to door canvassing.
Don't think we have any Hatfields or McCoy's but I'll keep a look out for them and let you know if I find any.
I guess drive-bys aren't a new ghetto-thang after all. And here I thought Al Capone's people came up with that idea.