Jennie Bosschieter facts for kids
Jennie Bosschieter (1883–1900) was a woman who was murdered in Paterson, New Jersey, on October 19, 1900. Her death received national news coverage and was described as "one of the most revolting [crimes] ever committed in New Jersey."
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Early life
Martijntje "Jennie" Bosschieter was born on April 21, 1883 in the village of Melissant, South Holland, the Netherlands. She was second daughter of Johannis "John" Bosschieter (1846-1929) and his second wife Dina Kaslander Bosschieter (1861-1953). Jennie had seven siblings: Susan, Gabriel, Joseph, John, Cora, Martin, and Lena. And three half-siblings: Aart, Leonard, and Aggie. When Jennie was seven years old her family left the Netherlands for America. They settled in Paterson, New Jersey around 1890. At the time of her murder she lived with her parents at 155 East Fifth Street in the Riverside section, and worked at the Paterson Ribbon Company on Vreeland Avenue.
Legacy
Jennie's murder received national press coverage for months after her death. There was a possible copycat crime on March 12, 1901 with Mary Paige found severely ill. Paige did recover. Three boys were convicted of assault and served brief sentences.
Attackers
Newspapers at the time made clear that the attackers were not "wild boys" but were instead "old enough to know the meaning of consequences". They were described as "men of families well known and respected in Paterson."
- George J. Kerr, was the son of Hugh Kerr (c. 1840 – 1901), brother of Judge John F. Kerr, and brother-in-law of Mayor of Paterson John Hinchliffe. He was married with grown daughters at the time of the attack. He pled non vult contendere and served 11 years and nine days of a 15-year sentence.
- Walter C. McAlister, put the chloral hydrate in her drink and was sentenced to 30 years in January 1901. He was a junior partner in a silk firm.
- Andrew J. Campbell (born 1875). He served 15 years of his 30-year sentence.
- William A. Death, served in the Spanish–American War and was married a few weeks before the attack. He was sentenced to 30 years for his role in the murder.
Others
- Marinus Gary, who found the body, worked for Alyea Brothers feed mill
- Augustus Sculthorp, the carriage driver
- Vroom, the coroner
- Graul, chief of police
- Christopher Saal, owner of the saloon
- Judge Dixon, the Judge who heard the trial of the four men accused of murdering Jennie Bosschieter
- Joseph Bosschieter (b. 1884), Jennie's brother who was born in the Netherlands
- Susan Bosschieter (b. 1881), Jennie's sister who was born in the Netherlands
