Part 776h – Brunhammer Doherty Genealogy – The Mystery of GG-Grandfather Audley Holmes – Summary To Date

Good Day,

Research just makes me hungry. Had to have Cranberry-Cream Cheese muffins. Saw the recipe, so had to make them this morning… Excellent. Tasted like a cross between a muffin and a cheesecake. Great with a fresh cup of coffee.

I am sort of at a wall right now in my search and research of the murder of gg-grandfather Audley Holmes. This genealogy thing is dang right mind stretching, and the methodology of uncovering each and every nook and cranny is somewhat challenging… especially when one has to think of possible nooks and crannies.

At this point in my search and research and answering of the key questions, I have thus far come up with the following.

Who? –

• The Murdered Victim – GG-Grandfather Audley Holmes
• The Arrested Cook – Margaret Burk(e)
• The Servant Girl – Elizabeth
• The Judge – Hon. Judge Conyngham
• The Prosecutors – The District Attorney Brundage and Woodward for Commonwealth
• The Defense Attorneys – C.E. Wright and Ketcham

What? –

• Murdered
• Body discovered on the ice
• Coat and hat found on the bridge above
• Gold watch in the possession of The Cook
• Margaret Burk(e) held in jail
• The Cook remanded for trial
• Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad

Where? –

• Susquehanna River, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
• Bridge across river, between toll-gate and first pier
• House of Charles Westfield

When? –

• Monday, 11 December 1854 about 2:00 pm gg-grandfather Audley and Margaret Burk(e) left work 
• Monday around 8:00 pm gg-grandfather Audley and Margaret Burk(e) began journey
• Monday evening Margaret Burk(e) arrived alone 
• Tuesday morning, 12 December 1854 dead body discovered

And the plot thickens… Still no answer to How? and Why?

I was provided with a possible contact to the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. They have a law library dating back to 1855. I am waiting a return call.

I will also follow up with the Luzerne County Historical Society for ideas of further research.

Who knows what clues and mystery lie just below the ice? Make sure that you check my previous Postings on A Genealogy Hunt to follow The Mystery of the Murder of GG-Grandfather Audley Holmes. Stay tuned… and

Enjoy,

Jim