Murder on Long Island: A Nineteenth-Century Tale of Tragedy and Revenge

by Geoffrey K. Fleming

In the mid-nineteenth century, James Wickham was a wealthy farmer with a large estate in Cutchogue, Long Island. His extensive property included a mansion and eighty acres of farmland that were maintained by a staff of servants. In 1854, Wickham got into an argument with one of his workers, Nicholas Behan, after Behan harassed another employee who refused to marry him. Several days after Behan's dismissal, he crept back into the house in the dead of night. With an axe, he butchered Wickham and his wife, Frances, and fled to a nearby swamp. Behan was captured, tried, convicted and, on December 15, became one of the last people to be hanged in Suffolk County. Local historians Geoffrey Fleming and Amy Folk uncover this gruesome story of revenge and murder.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2013

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I am finished reading this book, but I didn’t quite finish it. I quit with one and a half chapters to go. It is admirable that the author and his wife did so much research about an incident in his family’s past. He seems to have learned a lot and I am sure that has been rewarding. However, the book is difficult to read because so many trivia breaks happen... it is a little like sitting with a great uncle or aunt ... the little side comments may be interesting of themselves, but they don’t really make a history book or a true crime book a great read.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical true crime book with plenty of area history.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book!

This book detailed the ax murders of a husband and wife in a small Long Island community in 1854. Also included are details on the fate of their killer as well as what became of others involved in the trial of the killer. The authors have done extensive research on their topic and have compiled a good book. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An employee kills his employers and another servant, while unable to kill the females servants (one of which was his true target) in the 1800s. A good book with lots of background and current news of the period.

[Jim Swike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read on one of Long Island's famous murders. Reads like a history book, but you may feel differently. Enjoy!

[Zach Schiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good look into mid-19th century Long Island, but this was a 10-page book spread out over 90 or so pages.