Cobleskill in Schoharie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shootout

Photographed by Mira Earls, circa August 28, 2022

1. Shootout Marker

Inscription. Officer Matthew Wilson
Shot to Death Nov. 27, 1900
Near this Site After
Exchanging Fire with Men
Attempting Store Burglary

Erected 2018 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 486.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1900.

Location. 42° 40.73′ N, 74° 29.028′ W. Marker is in Cobleskill, New York, in Schoharie County. It is on Union Street, on the right when traveling north. he marker is in adjacent to the sidewalk in front of the Community Libarary on Union Street, and across the street from the Cobleskill Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Union St, Cobleskill NY 12043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Mohawk Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

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the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World Wars Memorial Clock (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Memorial (about 800 feet away); Town of Cobleskill (approx. 0.2 miles away); George W. Snyder (approx. half a mile away); Willis MacDonald (approx. half a mile away); Cherry Valley Junction (approx. 1.6 miles away); Warner Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Nicolas Warner (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cobleskill.

Regarding Shootout.

BURGLARS SHOOT NIGHT WATCHMAN
Early Morning Tragedy at Cobleskill.
BODY FOUND IN FRONT OF A GROCRY STORE.
Matthew Wilson Evidently Surprised the Thieves at Their Work and Was Killed in a Fight - Searching Parties Looking for the Murderers.

Cobleskill, Nov. 27, - (Special) - Citizens residing on Main street in this village were aroused at 2 o'clock this morning by several shots

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous

2. Shootout Marker

fired in quick succession. Those first upon the streets found Night Watchman Matthew Wilson lying dead upon the steps of Martin D. Borst's grocery store. A hasty examination revealed four bullet wounds in his body inflicted by a thirty-eight calibre revolver. Lying beside the body was the revolver of the deceased. It had been discharged five times.
An Investigation of the premises revealed a number of burglars' tools lying in the rear of the store. Four shots had penetrated the plate glass windows in the stores across ths street from Horst's, probably the result of the shots fired by the night watchman.
Those first upon the scene saw five men running in the direction of the railroad tracks. They managed to escape in the darkness. Several searching parties are scouring the country roundabout, but no traces of the murderers have been obtained.
It is evident that the men were bent upon burglarizing the store when surprised by Watchman Wilson. They probably tried to hold him up and in resisting them he met death. His shots evidently went wild. Several suspicious men were seen about the place previous to the crime.
Wilson is

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous

3. Shootout Marker

The Shootout Marker is across the street from the Cobleskill Post Office.

survived by a wife and one daughter, the latter being in college. He had served as night watchman for six years,
- The Times-Union, Albany, N. Y., Tuesday, November 27, 1900, front page

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The funeral of Matthew Wilson, the murdered night watchman took place in the Lutheran church Thanksgiving afternoon Rev. G. A. Getty officiating, assisted by Rev. G. W. Rockwell. The village officers attended as did the Knights of the Maccabees of which he was a member. No traces of the murderers have yet been found. The subscriptions for the relief of the deceased's family now amounts to $1,100.
- The Times-Union (Albany, N. Y.), Saturday, December 1, 1900

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Matthew Wilson Murdered at Cobleskill.
Matthew Wilson, night watchman of the village of Cobleskill, was shot and killed on Tuesday morning of last week. The last person with whom Mr. Wilson talked was Charles Warner, who lives in the village, over the First National Rank. Mr. Warner runs a night lunch wagon near the post office and Tuesday morning about quarter past one Mr. Wilson stopped as it was being closed up and said to Mr. Warder that he would go up Grand street

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 23, 2025

4. Shootout Marker

The Shootout Marker is in front of the Community Library on Union Street in Cobleskill.

and that he would walk along with him. Mr. Warner says when we reached Clarence Shafer's store we saw a party of men coming down West Main street. We then walked across the street and stood in front of the First National Rank watching them. There were either four or six men in the gang. They made a brief halt on the corner and walked up Grand street and we watched until we saw their shadows under the electric lights as they crossed over Chapel. Wilson said that he didn't think that anyone would do any harm while the lights were on but guessed he would get his gun and told Mr. Warner that if he heard any disturbance to respond quickly. About fifteen minutes afterwards twenty or twenty-live shots were exchanged in rapid succession, sounding like the explosion of a package of fire crackers. The electric lights were out, and soon after the shots people began to hurry out with lanterns and the body of the officer was found dead on the steps of Mart Borst's store. Five bullet holes were found in his body. The officer had discharged his revolver but had been unable to use his shot gun. People living nearby, who were aroused by the firing,

State of New York Police Officers Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 24, 2025

5. State of New York Police Officers Memorial

The State of New York Police Officers Memorial is on The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza in Albany. Matthew Wilson's name is etched in the stone there, on the Bottom section of Panel H as,
"Matthew Wilson Cobleskill PD November 1900." The memorial is tucked into a quiet spot behind the Legislative Office Building, The Swan Street Building, and Agency Building 4 (42.651881, -73.760400).

heard the running footsteps of two or three men on the walk, but no clues have been found. Newly made tracks of two or three men were found at the rear window of the First National Bank soon after the shots. The tracks indicate that the men had gone to the window and stood looking in. It is stated that a colored lady living near the Union street laundry claims to have heard men talking under her window. She heard one say, "Can two of us handle him?" and then the answer, "Yes." A moment or two afterwards a volley of shots came. So close was the pistol held to Wilson when he was killed that the wadding which wraps the ball was picked out of his over coat after he was found. The burglars had taken their tools from the D.& H. station which were dropped in their attempt to get away. Who fired the first shots, of course no one knows. There are many different theories. Nothing reliable is yet at hand. Mr. Wilson had recently received several threatening letters. Mr. Wilson had saved a large part of the village in November 1899, when he extinguished the fire kindled by firebugs in the rear of the Bellinger barn and he was also successful in

Matthew Wilson Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 29, 2025

6. Matthew Wilson Gravesite

Until recently Matthew Wilson's grave site was unmarked in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery. In 2022 the Cobleskill PBA, in conjunction with local businesses, raised funds to purchase and place a headstone for Wilson and his wife. In June of 2023 the Cobleskill BPA invited the public to attend a small ceremony to honor Wilson after the new headstone was set.

driving away the burglars at the post office when he received a shot wound. A reward of $3OO has been offered by the village of Cobleskill, and the citizens of the village have raised about $1,200 as a fund for the benefit of Mrs. Wilson, the invalid wife of the murdered officer, who is survived by his widow and one daughter.

- Published in the Gilboa Monitor, Thursday, December 6, 1900.

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TRAIN WAS EMPTY.
Suspected Murders of Watchman Wilson Eluded Arrest.
SCHENECTADY, N. Y., Dec. 4. - The local police force received orders from a deputy sheriff at Delanson last night to arrest everyone on the 7:30 train from that place, as it was believed that the murderers of Night Watchman Matthew Wilson, who was killed at Cobleskill last week, were on board.
Sergeant Hallenback and a file of 10 policemen met the train at the station, but it was deserted.
It is believed that the alarm was given and the men escaped from the train before it reached South Schenectady.

- Owego Daily Record, Tuesday, December 4, 1900.

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MURDER TRIAL OF "GOAT HINCH"
Will Begin in Schoharie Next Week.
Justice D. Cady Herrick of This City

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Will Preside.
Second Panel of Talesmen May Be Found Necessary in Order to Secure Jury - Prisoner Believes That the Verdict Will Be Rendered in His Favor - Two Other Noted Men in Jail.
Schoharie, Jan. 17, - (Special to Times-Union.) - Great Interest is being manifested in the trial next week of "Goat" Hinch for the murder of Matthew Wilson, of Cobleskill, in November, 1900. A jury panel of sixty has been drawn, but it is the general opinion that a second panel of from fifty to seventy-five will be needed to secure a jury. Judge D. Cady Herrick, of Albany, is to preside at the trail.

CONFIDENT OF ACQUITTAL.
Hinch is confined in the lower tier of cells in the county jail, while "Sheeny" Harris and "Dublin Ned" are in the upper. Harris turned states evidence against "Whitey" Sullivan, who was convicted in the first degree for the same murder at the last October term, and it is rumored that "Dublin Ned" will give damaging testimony against Hinch. Hinch is a well-built fellow of about thirty years; a strong cast of countenance, with small unflinching eyes. He is about five feet ten inches high and weighs in the neighborhood of 150 pounds. He was born in Canada, but says he has lived most of his life at Burnside, Ill. He seems cheerful and talks confidently of being acquitted. He paid his respects in the most approved and vigorous style to "Sheeney" Harris, charging him with having escaped a twenty-years' sentence in Schenectady by swearing against "Whitey" Sullivan and himself.
DECLINE TO TALK.
Both Harris and "Dublin Ned" refuse to say whether they expect to be witnesses against Hinch. The former has been in jail for some time, but Ned was arrested less than a month ago in New York. Harris was born in Canada, but according to his own story he has been a wanderer from California to Maine. He is about forty years old, of sleight build, with a thin face and roving eyes. His companion, "Dublin Ned," is short, stocky and red-haired; born in the old country, but claims to have lived in this state for twenty-five years. He is about thirty-two years old. The people claim- to have a strong case against Hinch. S. L. and C. B. Mayhem defend him.

- The Times-Union, Albany, N. Y., Friday, January 17, 1902, front page

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BIG CAPTURE AT BUFFALO.
Last of Gang Who Murdered Watchman Wilson at Cobleskill Arrested.
Buffalo, Feb, 7. - In the Erie county penitentiary serving a sentence of thirty days for vagrancy is a prisoner named John Hamilton, who has been identified as one of the six men who murdered Night Watchman Matthew Wilson of the First National bank at Cobleskill on November 26, 1900. With the locating of Hamilton the last of the gang has been apprehended. Hamilton was identified by a photograph taken of a gang of six men caught in a raid on an alleged thieves' den in Buffalo. These photographs were sent broadcast over the country and the face of Hamilton was immediately recognized by the police at Cobleskill. Hamilton is also known as "Canada Blackey."
Five of the murderers have been accounted for. One turned state's evidence, one died, two were convicted of murder and one of burglary. Hamilton or Blackey is the last to be found. The local police were notified that Sheriff Raymond Bissell of Schoharie county, and Detective Haas, a Pinkerton man, will arrive in Buffalo to-day to see him at the penitentiary and get him out if they can. He will be taken to Schoharie to stand trial, it is said
Of the other eight members of the gang at the penitentiary some, 'the federal authorities think, took part in the robbery of the Brocton post office last fall. Twenty-five dollars was taken by the thieves. Daniel Morey, a resident of the town, who tried to interfere, was shot at and knocked senseless by them.
The police think that the gang of vags will turn out to be the best capture made in Buffalo in years. The thirty day sentences will expire on February 14, about a week from today. The prisoners will probably be rearrested and held, pending further investigation, Hamilton, when arrested. gave his age as 20 years, and his occupation as "fireman." If he is obliged to serve out his thirty days he will be turned over to the Schoharie authorities at its expiration.
- The Times-Union, Friday, February 7, 1902, on page 3

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Sheeny Harris, one of the gang of five, who murdered Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill, N. Y., and Edward Adaine and James Kelly, charged with burglary, escaped from jail at Albany, Sunday, by digging their way from their cells. The jail has been recently built and was supposed to be proof against such attempts. A reward of $500 each has been offered by the sheriff for their capture.
- The Greenfield Reorder: Wednesday, September 9, 1903 on page 2.

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LAST APPEAL OF SULLIVAN
IT WAS MADE TO GOVERNOR ODELL WHO DENIED IT THURSDAY
The Condemned Must Suffer for the Murder of Night Watchman Wilson at Cobleskill - The Decision and Governor Odell's Statement.
Governor Odell Thursday denied an application for a further respite for John P. alias "Whitey" Sullivan, awaiting electrocution at Clinton prison for the murder of Bank Watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill. The application was denied at the close of the hearing given in the executive chamber at which Attorney Benjamin F. Spellman argued in favor of granting the application and Assemblyman George M. Palmer in opposition. The respited was desired in order that an appeal might be taken to the court of appeals from the decision of Justice Betts, denying a motion for a new trial on the ground of newly-discovered evidence. Governor Odell in denying the application made the following statement:
"I have given to this case very careful consideration, and up to the time of the receipt of Father Curry's message, I had declined to interfere with the execution of the sentence. Upon the receipt of his telegram, which came to me somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 o'clock at night, and giving to it the weight to which it was entitled because of the source from whence it came, I granted a respite of two weeks to permit the defendant's counsel to present reasons why the sentence to death should be stayed. Subsequently an order made by Justice Herrick and returnable at the Columbia county special term was granted and I was requested by the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Betts, to grant a further respite of two weeks to enable him to properly consider the testimony, which request I complied with. The result of this delay has been that the evidence upon which a new trial was desired has been heard before Justice Betts and, after a careful consideration of the same, he has been led to the conclusion that it is not sufficient to justify a new trial, because it did not possess weight enough to change the verdict of guilty, which was found. . . .
- Glens Falls Daily Times, Saturday Evening, March 21, 1903, on page 2.

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Goat Hinch Must Die.
The court of appeals Tuesday affirmed the conviction and sentence for murder in the first degree of O'Connor, alias "Goat Hinch,” who was associated with “Whitey” Sullivan in the murder of Night Watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill. Sullivan has been executed for the crime.
- Stamford Recorder, Stamford, New York, Saturday, May 23, 1903, front page

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Sullivan's Pal Dead.
DANNEMORA, July 7. - William O'Connor, alias "Goat Hinch," was electrocuted at the prison here at 11:39 this morning for the murder of Matthew Wilson, a night watchman at Cobleskill, N. Y., November 28, 1900. O'Connor was a pal of "Whitey" Sullivan.

- Glens Falls Times, Glens Falls, Tuesday Evening, July 7, 1903, front page.

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Plattsburg—William O'Connor, known as "Goat Hinch," was electrocuted at Clinton prison at 11:39 o'clock this morning for the murder of Night Watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill in November, 1900. The current was turned on at 11:33, and one minute and 15 seconds later the condemned man was declared dead. He is the second man to be electrocuted for participation in this murder. James P. alias "Whitey" Sullivan was put to death at Clinton prison on March 24.
- Times-Union, Albany, N. Y., July 7, 1903

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MURDERER DIGS OUT OF PRISON
“Sheeny” Harris and Two Other Men Escape From Jail.
Schoharie, N, Y., Sept. 8.—"Sheeny” Harris, one of the gang of five that murdered Night Watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill two years ago, and two other prisoners, Edward Caine, colored, aged 37, and James Kelly, aged 21, both charged with burglary and grand larceny, dug out of the Schoharie county jail and escaped. Harris is well known as a desperate criminal. It was largely through his testimony as state’s evidence that conviction, was, secured against "Whitey” Sullivan, William O’Connor, "Canada Blackie” and "Dublin Ned” Jackson, the first two of whom have been put to death. Harris was to have been put on trial at the October term of court.
- The Clare Courier, Clare, Mich., Friday, Sept. 11, 1903

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Thought to Be "Sheeny" Harris' Body.
The body of an unknown man was found beside the West Shore railroad tracks near Canajoharie, N. Y. There was nothing on the body by which it could be identified, but it is thought that it is the body of "Sheeny" Harris, who escaped from Schoharie jail last week. Harris was awaiting trial as one of the gang who shot Night Watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill two years ago.

- The Tully Times, Tully, Onondaga County, N. Y., Saturday, September 19, 1903

Also see . . .
1. Matthew Wilson listing on Find-A-Grave.

Matthew Wilson is buried in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.

(Submitted on June 22, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)

2. State of New York Police Officers Memorial 2025. This links to the pdf document listing the names of all the officers honored on the State of New York Police Officers Memorial. (Submitted on June 25, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)

3. New York State Police Officers Memorial. (Submitted on June 25, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2022, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 30, 2022, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on June 25, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?