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Marvin D. Fosdick (1847 - 1932)

Dr. Marvin D. Fosdick aka Fauzdik
Born in Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA,map
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of
[spouse(s) unknown]
[children unknown]
Died at age 84 in Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA,map
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Contents

Biography

Physician. Graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1875.[1] Thesis was "The Blood"[2]

Farmer.

"In 1889, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, of Almena, Michigan, published a pamphlet in which he sought to prove that there were three distinct Fosdick families in America. Many years later, Charles Fosdick, of Fitchburg, told me that he had satisfied Marvin Fosdick that there was only one such family-descended from Stephen."[3]

In August of 1890, listed as Private in the Brigade Roster of the Michigan State Troops, Second Regiment, Compamy C of Kalamazoo.[4]

Invented a religion called Deistarianism that included its own articles of faith and language and was described in a pamphlet call 'The Rising Sun'. Invented a language called Zantum.

Was shot. His brother Albert was tried and acquitted for this act.

Two weeks later he found his brother Albert shot dead in the home that they shared.

He authored Medabin banner.[5]

In 1935, Bertie J. Barber was issued letter of trusteeship and had bond for the Van Buren Co. real estate of Marvin Fosdick.[6] <Cathryn's note: I believe Marvin and Bertie's wife Alice were first cousins.>

Farm Life

Van Buren County Fair 1871

CLASS FOURTH - SWINE, FULL BLOODS OF ESSEX, SUFFOLK & C.
... best Jefferson boar 6 months old, M. Fosdick
... best 2 pigs Sefton M. Fosdick [7]

Hogs for Sale

Get the Best. The Jefferson County Hogs grow rapidly, fatten at any age, and make the most pork of food consumed. PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE. Address, M. Fosdick, Almena, Michigan. [8]

The State Fair 1884

... STALLION COLTS.
First premium, Euraller, S. A. Brown & Co., Kalamazoo,; second, Samuel Douglas, Texas, Mich.; Marvin Fosdick, William. ...[9]

Deistarianism

A New Prophet

A Kalamazoo Crank who would Found a New Religion
Dr. Marvin Fosdick and his "Diestarian Doctrine" - Some Specimens of his Reforms
Kalamazoo, March 18. -- Dr. Marvin Fosdick has become the chief prophet of a new religion. The Doctor is a somewhat eccentric individual who has not made a very great fortune in the practice of medicine. He started a paper, "The Rising Sun", of which he is editor and publisher, whose chief objective is to preach this new religion religion which he calls Diestarianism. The paper is being scattered broadcast over the West, people willing to distribute it being sent as many copies as they can use. Hundreds are said to be flocking to his standard in various sections of the country, though he has not as yet made any great stir right here at home, where Fosdick is regarded somewhat in the light of a crank. His ideas of reform are somewhat extensive. Besides the establishing of a new religion at the overthrow of Christianity, he aims that other innovations as the sequel will show. Whether history will repeat itself and the Morman craze consequent on the preaching of the vulgar and ignorant Joe Smith Will be duplicated in the case of Dr. Marvin Fosdick remains to be seen.
The creed of the religion is set forth in the paper as follows:
1. We believe there is an intelligent overruling power.
2. We believe there is a future life for everybody.
3.We believe our happiness in our future life will depend on the state of our conscience, and will be inversely proportional to the amount of wrong we come it here.
4. We can determine what is wrong only by the exercise of our reason.
5. It is wrong to murder.
6. It is wrong to deceive.
7. It is wrong to conceal crime.
8. It is wrong to injure our health.
9. It is wrong to manifest ingratitude.
10. It is wrong to tempt anybody to do wrong.
11. It is wrong to give anything needless discomfort.
12. It is wrong to injure or jeopardize anybody's welfare.
13. It is wrong to obtain anybody's property without giving a satisfactory compensation. [10]


The Rising Sun

THE RISING SUN: The Exponent of the Deisterian Church. The circuit is expected to have 1038 Polimons. A Denzee will complete the Circuit. The Polimons hold weekly Doktils. The supervising officer is a Deprel. Sermons are Lokans. Dotem is to lecture, etc. Address all communications to Marvin Fosdick, Kalamazoo, Michigan.[11][12]

Newspaper Bits

The first number of a very strange paper has been issued at Kalamazoo by Dr. Martin Fosdick. He calls his venture the Rising Sun. It is "the exponent of the Deistarian Church." The church "believes in a overruling power; a future life for everybody; that our happiness in the future state depends on our conscience, and will be inversely proportionate the amount of wrong that we commit here; that we can determine what is wrong by our reason."[13]

Religious

... A new religious sect called the Deistairians was ushered into the world at Kalamazoo Mich., a few weeks ago. it was invented and patented by Marvin Fosdick. There are thirteen articles of faith. Local societies of the new faith are to be call "polimons." Preachers are to bear the title of "denzees." The prospectus says; "We expect to have in our circuit 1,038 polimons. Each polimon will receive a visit from a denzee onces a week. A denzee will not be apt to repeat his visit until he completes the circuit. Church services are to be know as "doktils." ...[14]

Topics of the Day

... Deistarianism is a new religion formulated by Marvin Fosdick, of Kalamazoo, Mich. It seems to have struck out a new path in its religious vocabulary. Its congregations, when it gets them, will be known as "polimons;" its preachers are to be called "denzees." A church service is a "doktil." "Dotem" means to preach; "lokan" is a sermon; "Pote" is God; "stian" is a church building, and the salary of the "denzee" is known as "valoon." Mr. Fosdick has also adopted a new chronology and a new method of spelling to go with his religion. As for his religion itself, it is largely based on the moral law as revealed by the conscience, and repudiates all the distinctive doctrines of Christianity, such as baptism, prayer, the Bible and Christ. The author states that the Deistarian religion is the best religion for this life, and as good as any for the life to come. He publishes a call for "denzees," but none who use tobacco or intoxicating liquors, or who gamble, are eligible for this office.[15]

Rituals of the Ulmadoon Host

The book Rituals of the Ulamdoon Host was published June 2, 1898. [16]

Zantum

Zantum is a winsome language for world-wide use. It is the future tongue of commerce, literacy and diplomacy. It is elegant and easy and has the best spelling on earth. The study of Zantum them improves memory and create ideas. 26 lessons for $1. M. Fauzdik & Co., 2276 Main Street, Kalamazoo, Mich.[17]

He published The Unieted Stairs Wurder in 1891.[18]

Attempted Murder in the House

Got It in the Neck/Shot by an Unknown Miscreant

PAW PAW, Mich., Feb. 12 -- Last evening Dr. Marvin Fosdick was sitting by a table at his home when some unknown person fired both barrels of a double-barreled shotgun through the window, the charge entering Fosdick's head, neck and shoulders. He still lives and may recover. The affair is surrounded in mystery and no clue has yet been discovered to the perpetrator of the outrage.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

An Assassin's Work

A Physician Shot Down in His Office -- His Brother Arrested on Suspicion
PAW PAW, Mich., Feb. 14. -- A fiendish attempt to assassinate Dr. Marvin Fosdick was made Tuesday night at his home in Almena, then miles from here. The doctor is sixty years old and a bachelor. He was sitting a a table in his office, hard at work, when suddenly the report of two gunshots rang out. The window was completely shattered and Dr. Fosdick fell to the floor apparently dead.
The only occupant of the house with him was the hired man, who was in an adjoining room, and as soon as the shots were fired he ran to Fosdick's side and found that both charges had entered his employer's neck and shoulders. It was hardly thought possible for him to recover, but he is alive.
Albert A. Fosdick, county surveyor, and brother of Fosdick was arrested by Sheriff McFarland Wednesday night and lodged in jail on suspicion of being connected with the crime.[26]

Accused of Fratricide

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 14. -- The vicinity of Almena, where Dr. Marvin Fosdick was shot Tuesday night, was again shocked yesterday when Albert A. Fosdick, county surveyor and brother of the doctor, was arrested on suspicion of having done the shooting. It is alleged that Albert had a mercenary motive for getting his brother out of the way. They are the only heirs of their father, who died several years ago and left quite an estate.[27]

A Presumption

KALAMAZOO, Mich., February 14. -- Albert A. Fosdick, county surveyor of Van Buren county, has been arrested at Almena, charged with attempting to kill his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick on last Tuesday night. The brothers are the only heirs of their father, who died several years ago and left quite an estate. Albert bought Marvin out and gave him a mortgage on the property. He could not pay it and a year ago turned his whole share of the estate over to his brother, the doctor, who contracted to sell back to Albert, the latter hoping to raise the money. The first payment, under this contract, would be due in a few days and the officers made the arrest on the presumption that Albert was tempted to kill the doctor to avoid meeting the money obligations. No evidence to sustain the theory has yet been discovered.[28]

The Shooting of Dr. Fosdick

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 15. -- The latest from the scene of the dastardly attempt to assassinate Dr. Marvin Fosdick, of which crime his brother Albert A. is accused, is to the effect that the community is still excited over the matter. The doctor himself is much better. The sheriff is investigating Albert A. Fosdick's story of his whereabouts on the night of the shooting.[29]

Rumors in Fosdick's Favor

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 21. -- Special Telegram. -- The examination of Albert A. Fosdick of the charge of shooting his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, at Almena, recently did not take place at Paw Paw to-day, owing to the Doctor's inability to be present. Bail was fixed at $2,500, which was not given, and the case was set down for the 28th inst. A rumor prevails at Almena that the shot received by Dr. Fosdick was not intended for him, but for his brother Albert, who is charged with the shooting. The reason for this belief is the fact that had not Albert been arrested he would have been married before this to Miss Wait. It is asserted in support of this theory that there are other women who claim to have a claim on him, and his marriage would have brought about trouble.[30]

The Fosdick Trial

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 4. -- Special Telegram -- The Fosdick examination was continued at Paw Paw to-day. Joseph Pyles testified the Albert A. Fosdick, who is charged with shooting his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, was not on a certain train, which claim had been by the accused in hope of providing an alibi. Dr. Fosdick himself took the stand again and told what property he possessed, and stated that Albert would be his only heir. His testimony was very damaging to his brother.[31]

The Criminal Record

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 6. -- Alfred A. Fosdick, the county surveyor, charged with the attempted assassination of his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, was discharged by Justice Rowland, in Paw Paw yesterday afternoon, without offering any evidence. The crime is a mystery.[32][33][34]

Albert Fosdick Discharged

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 6. -- Albert A. Fosdick, charged with attempting to murder his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, recently, was discharged at the conclusion of the examination at Paw Paw.[35]
At the conclusion Wednesday at Paw Paw, Mich., of the examination of Albert A. Fosdick, charged with the attempted murder of his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, the defendant was released on the ground of insufficient evidence.[36][37]

Murder in the House

Shot Dead At Midnight

Mysterious Murder at Almena, Michigan of Alfred A. Fosdick
The Victim Was Recently Accused of Trying to Kill His Brother
Suicide and Other Theories Discussed
Albert Fosdick Murdered
KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 22. -- Special Telegram -- The township of Almena, ten miles west of here, is highly wrought up over a tragic sequel to the Fosdick shooting case. Albert A. Fosdick, recently county surveyor of Van Buren county, who was recently acquitted of the attempted assassination of his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, was found dead this morning sitting in a chair, having been shot through the head. The question now is, who s the assassin? Since the discharge of Albert Fossick, a few weeks ago, he had not been home until last Sunday. In February Dr. Martin Fosdick was shot in the neck and shoulders while sitting in the same room that his brother was found dead in this morning. He recovered from the affects, and was interviewed Thursday last by THE INTER OCEAN correspondent. The doctor stated he feared his brother yet, believing him guilty of his attempted murder, and thought that Albert would kill him in a moment if he had the chance. He further stated that he was on his guard. Since last Sunday, when Albert returned home, the brothers, who, both being bachelors, lived together, spoke but once to each other, and that was when the Doctor asked his brother
WHEN HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE
as he couldn't remain there. Albert replied that he would depart immediately. Last night the Doctor, according to his story, was spending the evening at the house of John Campbell, less than a mile distant, and left for home at 10 o'clock. He says that he entered the house by the front door, going immediately to his room and retiring for the night. He heard no noise or disturbance during the night. This morning, on going into the back room, the same room where he himself was shot, he found his brother sitting in a chair, dead. He had been shot either with a revolver or a rifle, and two bullets had passed through his brain. Albert had apparently been reading a newspaper, which was found on the floor by his side. Appearances indicate that he had fallen asleep in his chair. The assassin entered the room to do his dastardly work, not caring evidently to risk a shot through the window. Possibly he had tried that once before and made a failure of it. The lamp had been extinguished, and nothing appeared to have been removed from the room. The murdered man had evidently died without a struggle, and the murderer had effected his escape without creating any disturbance or leaving behind him any trace. Officers are now making a thorough investigation.
An inquest was held before Justice Levi A. Brown, and a verdict was rendered: "Shot by an unknown party, between the hours of 6 in the evening and 6 in the morning."
The Doctor now says he does not think his brother made the recent attempt on his life. Rumors that outside parties have had a hand in the commission of the crimes are in circulation, but nothing definite has developed. It has been thought that Albert was mixed up in some one's domestic matters, and his murder
MIGHT BE AN ACT OF REVENGE
At the time of the shooting of the Doctor, many believed it was a mistake. They thought the assassin, who was other than Albert Fosdick, intended to have shot and killed the latter, who, it is said, had been intimate with two women whose hearts had been set upon him. He was to have married one of them, and in that case the jilted party would have caused trouble. The occurrence of last night gives a new light upon the matter which further tends to prove that Albert did not shoot his brother. It is now believed by many that the assassin, who made a mistake in shooting the doctor, returned again and this time accomplished his deed by killing Albert. Still there is another theory upheld, but only by a few. It is that Albert committed suicide. Should his be true, then all doubt as to Albert Fosdick's guilt is removed. The affair has created intense excitement, and the farmers in the city to-day have made it the sole topic of conversation. Albert Fosdick was at one time very popular, having been elected to office on several occasions. The unraveling of the mystery will be of great public interest, and when completed, if ever, some startling facts are expected to be revealed.[38]


Murdered in His Lonely Home

Albert Fosdick Found Killed and His Brother Suspected on the Crime
PAW PAW, Mich., March 22. -- [Special.] -- Albert Fosdick was found dead this morning in his chair in his home in Almena Township. He was last seen alive yesterday afternoon at an auction sale in his neighborhood, where a large crowd was assembled, most of whom believed he was the same man who about thirty days ago shot his brother in the same house in which he was found dead this morning. He and his brother, Dr. Martin Fosdick, lived in the house together, and this morning between 6 and 7 o'clock, not hearing any stir in his brother's room, Dr. Fosdick went to the door, and found him with boots by his side, his paper fallen from his hands, and two bullet wounds in his head. One cartridge had gone through from the left temple and the second had entered the head just back of the ear, but had not gone through.
The two brothers had lived on Sec. 1 in Almena Township for about twenty-five years, and there their parents died about eighteen years ago, leaving them at that time a farm worth about $5,000. They have never had a housekeeper nor anyone in the house with them except occasionally a hired man or chore boy. About five years ago Albert bought his brother's interest in the place and gave a mortgage as security. He failed to pay the interest, and about a year ago was compelled to deed the property over to the doctor under threats of foreclosure. He took a lease back for the term of one year, which was about to expire at the time Dr. Fosdick was shot in February.
The Fosdick farm-house is kept in fair repair to outside appearances, but has low ceilings and is so foul of cobwebs and grease as to seem uninhabitable to civilized men. Here these two brothers lived, each occupying separate rooms, but doing their cooking on the same stove in a room that was barely furnished. On the lock opening to Dr. Fosdick's room a piece of paper was found pasted carefully over the keyhole with queer hieroglyphics upon it, in explanation of which Dr. Fosdick says that on going to Kalamazoo Thursday he was afraid some one might enter his room and he had placed this paper over the lock as a precaution. In this room is found a trunk in which were the doctor's clothes, among which were the trousers worn by him last evening showing spots of human blood. The blood spots were also found in his bed. Various theories are afloat as to who did the shooting in both cases, and the first theory that suggested itself was that Dr. Fosdick had now shot his brother in revenge for the shots which he received and which he believed up to this time to have bern from the hands of his brother. But he tells a straightforward story as to his whereabouts and explains the facts as to the spots of blood found upon his clothing. There were no other occupants of the house.
The general opinion now is that there is a woman in the case, and that woman is another man's wife. Albert Fosdick had an unenviable reputation in his neighborhood for licentiousness, and various stories are afloat connecting him with several married women. It is claimed now that he said to intimate friends that the reason he told conflicting stories as to his whereabouts at the time his brother was shot was that he was then in the company of a married woman and that to screen her he told several lies.
The verdict of the Coroner's jury was that Albert came to his death from a pistol-shot in the hands of an unknown person and for an unknown cause. The authorities have been on the ground all day and are still hunting for clews, but no arrests have been made. The country is greatly excited and hundreds of people visited the scene of the tragedy today, and every person has a theory of his own. Dr. Fosdick offers a reward of $200 for the discovery of the murderer of his brother. There was no snow upon the ground, the last snow having disappeared yesterday and left the ground in a soft muddy condition, which froze during the night, and no tracks could be discovered on or about the farm that would give any clew to the murderer.
This is a strange tragedy and the strangest part of it is that there are few circumstances or facts that may lead to the discovery of the assassin. Albert Fosdick had been County Surveyor for Van Buren County for seven and a half years, and had always borne a good reputation throughout the county.[39]


Southern Michigan Excited Over Strange Deed

One of Two Brothers Living Alone Found Dead in Chair
KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 24. -- The double Fosdick mystery has thrown southwestern Michigan into a fever heat of excitement. The unsuccessful attempt to kill Dr. Marvin Fosdick at Almena in February last and the assassination of his brother last Friday night are two facts that at the present cannot be satisfactorily accounted for. The fact that two bachelor brothers living together in a secluded manner should both be attacked by some murderous hand in a shot time leaves any number of theories to be worked upon and a deep mystery to be penetrated by the detectives.
The hermit home is situated in Almena township about eleven miles west of here and is quite a distance from any other house. It is divided into two sections, each brother occupying a section. A queer coincidence is that both brothers were shot in the same room. The coroner's verdict in the case of Albert's death was that he met his death at the hands of some person unknown.
When Dr. Fosdick was shot suspicion pointed strongly to the guilt of his brother Albert who was arrested, but acquitted on a lack of evidence. Last Wednesday a correspondent interviewed Dr. Fosdick, whose face is still unhealed. He said:
"I fully believe my brother shot me in order to get my property. He would kill me now that he had the chance. I am afraid of him and lock myself up nights, although I have no arms about me."
This interview took place Wednesday and on Saturday morning Albert Fosdick was dead, with two bullet holes in his head. One of the best explanations of the mystery is as follows: Albert Fosdick is said to have been engaged to several women. Before his brother was shot it was announced that he was to be married soon. The jilted woman determined upon revenge. It is thought by some that a woman fired the shot at Dr. Fosdick, supposing it was Albert. After finding out her mistake she was still determined to have vengeance of Albert Fosdick and killed him last Friday night.
If this theory be true, the woman or her accomplice has done her work well, as no possible clew has yet shown itself by which she can be detected. Had Albert Fosdick committed suicide some weapon would have revealed that fact. No revolver was found in the room. One thing is quite certain and that is, if he was murdered the man or woman who fired the shot placed his body in the chair after he was dead.[40]

Secretly Slain

Fatal Chapter of a Michigan Crime Mystery
The Shooting of Dr, M. Fosdick
Followed by the Assassination of His Brother, Who Was Suspected of the First Crime -- The Perpetrator Comes and Goes and Leaves No Trace Except Footprints Leading to a Swamp -- Relations of the Brothers -- A Startling and Mysterious Felony.
KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 24. -- They mystery of the attempted murder of Dr. Marvin Fosdick on Feb. 11 has been deepened by the cold-blooded murder Friday night of his brother Albert Fosdick, who was accused of shooting the doctor, tried therefor, and acquitted. The two brothers have lived on section 1, Almena township , for twenty-five years, where their parents died eighteen years ago, leaving to them jointly a farm valued at $5,000. The two brothers never could agree about the management of the farm, and finally Albert bought his brother out, giving a mortgage on the place. He did not lift the mortgage, and the farm went back to the doctor, Albert being permitted to reside in the house for one year, which was nearly up when the shooting of Dr. Fosdick took place. It was those known business transactions and the fact that, with Dr. Fosdick out of the way, the farm would go to Albert, that caused suspicion to fall on the latter when the attempt was made on the doctor's life.
Shot Through the Brain
Dr. Fosdick spent Friday evening at the house of a neighbor, Mr. Campbell. He says that when he came home he immediately retired. There were but the tow men in the house, as they kept no servant. When the doctor arose Saturday morning he went to the room in which he was sitting when the attempt was made to assassinate him, and there found his brother sitting in a chair stone dead with two bullet holes in his head, one of the shots have gone clear through. Albert had either fallen asleep while reading a paper and been shot while asleep, or the murderer had shot him while reading, for the newspaper was found lying on the floor as it had dropped from his hand.
Believed His Brother Guilty
Dr. Fosdick believed that it was his brother who had shot him, and in the last conversation he ever had with him he told him so. The brothers lived along in the same house, each attending to his own wants, and since the conversation noted above -- which occurred a week ago -- never exchanged a word. The fact that his brother had been acquitted of the attempt on his life did not convince the doctor that he was innocent; it was simply a case of "not proven" to him. The death of Albert, if Dr. Fosdick is not the murderer, seems to prove that Albert was innocent of the attempt on the doctor.
Who is the Guilty One?
The coroner's inquest developed the following facts: On the lock opening to Dr. Fosdick's room a piece of paper was found paster carefully over the keyhole with queer hieroglyphics upon it, in explanation of which Dr. Fosdick says that on going to Kalamazoo Thursday he was afraid some one might enter his room, and he had placed this paper over the lock as a precaution. In his room is a trunk in which were found the doctor's clothes, among which were the trousers worn by him Saturday evening showing spots of human blood. The blood spots were also found in his bed. Dr. Fosdick, however, tells a straightforward story as to his whereabouts, and explains the facts as to the spots of blood found upon his clothing, and the suspicion that he had killed Albert in revenge for the attempt on hi sown life, of which he believed his brother guilty, is not a strong one.
Was There a Woman in the Case?
Albert Fosdick had an unenviable reputation in the neighborhood for licentiousness, and various stories are afloat connecting him with several married women. It is claimed now that he had said to intimate friends that the reason he told conflicting stories as to his whereabouts at the time his brother was shot, was that he was then in company of a married woman, and that to screen her he told several lies. It is believed by many that some man with whose wife Albert had been intimate had done the dastardly deed, and the theory that was urged at the time of the shooting of Dr. Fosdick -- that the assassin intended to killed Albert and mistook one for the other -- is urged now with much vigor by many of the citizens.
The Coroner's Verdict
The verdict of the coroner's jury was that Albert came to his death from a pistol shot in the hands of an unknown person and for an unknown cause. The authorities have been on the ground all day and are still hunting for clews, but no arrests have been made. The country is greatly excited, and hundreds of people visited the scene of the tragedy yesterday, and every person has a theory of his own. Dr. Fosdick offers a reward of $200 for the discovery of the murderer of his brother. There wa no snow upon the ground, the last snow having disappeared and left the ground in a soft, muddy condition, which froze during the night, and no tracks could be discovered on or about the farm that would give any clew to the murderer.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE MUD
Traced Far Enough to Show That a Stranger Did Not Make Them
LATER. -- A gentleman who arrived here from Almena last night said that while making an investigation of the grounds around the house large footprints were discovered in the soft ground, leading direction from the door through which the murderer made his escape. They were followed down to the edge of the wooded swamp, and from there they led by a circuitous path over to a place on the road that is known as Wilson's Crossing. They were lost altogether when the road was struck. A measurement of the prints shows that they were made by large boots, but what is still more notable is the circumstance that the owner of the boots made his way through the swamp.
Well Acquainted with the Ground
It is proved that he was thoroughly acquainted with the country or he would never have undertaken to escape by that route on a dark night. A mistake would have meant detection, for a diversion of a few feet from the line he traveled would have precipitated him into a mire from which escape would have been difficult. It is almost certain now that the murder took place before 10 p.m. Friday, and men who know Fosdick say that it would have been impossible, even if he had fallen asleep, for a man to come through the door and steal up to his chair without awakening him, and then as he was brave to a fault, there would have been a struggle.
A Murderous Social Call
For that reason there are people who believe that his murderer called as if paying a social visit, and then under the pretext of looking at the paper he was reading, got close to his chair and blew out his brains. There are no evidences that a struggle occurred. Blood spurted from the wounds in immense quantities, and stained the walls and floor in every direction. The murderer must have received his share of the gore on his clothes. Yesterday Dr. Fosdick exhibited, for the sheriff's inspection, the suit he wore while at Campbell's and also invited the officers to go through the rest of his wardrobe. The did so, but found nothing.
Reputation of the Dead Man
This is a strange tragedy and the strangest part of it is that there are few circumstances or facts that may lead to the discovery of the assassin. Albert Fosdick had been County Surveyor for Van Buren County for seven and a half years, and had always borne a good reputation throughout the county, except as mentioned above as to his liaisons. As county surveyor, his business led him all over that part of the country, and he met many people, among whom, it is said, were numerous susceptible women, who became smitten with him. He was known as a lady-killer, and his numerous wooings caused much bitterness. Whether the work was done by a man or woman, or by both man and woman is open to discussion.
The Attempt on Dr. Fosdick
The shooting of Dr. Fosdick, of which Albert was accused, occurred on Feb. 11. The would be assassin stood just outside the one window to the room in which the doctor was sitting, and fired two barrels of a shotgun into his victim's face and neck. The range was not over six or seven feet, and had the miscreant been a good marksman his victim would have been disfigured for life. As it was his shoulder was badly torn and it was feared for a time that he would lose an eye.[41]

The Fosdick Murder

Funeral of the Victim - Another Bullet Would Found - The Suicide Theory Exploded
KALAMAZOO, March 24. -- The funeral of Albert Fosdick, who was found dead in his home in Almena Saturday morning by his brother, Dr. Marvin Fosdick, was held today, The body was not removed from the position in which it was found until last night, when preparations were begun for burial. The removal of clothing revealed another bullet hold in the right side, and the bullet was found just beneath the skin the the opposite side of the body. Even the autopsy performed by Dr. Whalen, of Paw Paw, did not reveal this wound. He removed the brain. The pools of blood where it dripped from the chair and table explodes the idea that Fosdick was placed back in the chair after he died. The suicide theory is also exploded by the finding of the three bullet holes. After the first shot in the brain he could not possibly have fired another.
The home of the bachelor brothers was visited by several hundred people yesterday, the crowd resembling one at a county auction. After Sheriff McFarlan arrived he opened the doors and allowed the crowd to pass through the house and view the dead man as he lay undisturbed for thirty-six hours.
There are some who still continue to believe that the doctor killed Albert, but there are few circumstances to indicate that he did the deed. The doctor has now changed his mind about his oft repeated assertion that it was Albert who attempted to take his life. He says that he is now positive that it was not Albert, but some one attempting to kill Albert at that time. The theory that there is a woman or perhaps more than one in the case is gaining ground and the doctor says he will spend every dollar he has to find who did the deed. A reward of $1,000 has been offered for the arrest and conviction of the murderer.
At the time the doctor was shot he was so positive that Albert had attempted his life that he refused to have anything to do with the Pinkerton detectives, who came here from Chicago to see him. It is now understood that they are working on the case. There is great excitement throughout that section, and it extends to thi scity, where both the doctor and Albert are well known.
Sheriff McFarlan, of Van Buren county, was here this afternoon working for evidence on the theory that Dr. Fosdick did the shooting. He visited the gun shops and hardware stores to find where he bought a revolver, also visited many saloons, but if he found any clues he failed to make it known.[42]

Epilogue

NOTABLE MICHIGAN CRIMES
Albert A. Fosdick was shot dead in his house at Almena, near Paw Paw, March 21. He was alone in the house at the time of the assassination; Dr. Fosdick, his brother, with whom he lived, having spent that evening out. The brothers were bachelors, and no other person was about the house when the murder was committed.
The murder was given a highly sensational color owing together fact that on February 11, Dr. Fosdick the other brother was shot at and severely wounded while writing at a table near a window. The brothers were not on very good terms, and were both very eccentric. After protracted investigations, with no result, the murder was tacitly added to a somewhat lengthy list of mysterious crimes.[43]

Verdict, "Kalamazoo Evening News", September 8, 1899

"In the case of Mervin Fosdick vs. John L. Hill, Justice Fred A. Mills rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $150, the face value of the promissory note."[44]

Sources

Census

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ7N-13B : accessed 4 December 2015), Mervin Fouzdik, Almena, Van Buren, Michigan, United States; citing sheet 4B, family 92, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,820,799.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLTW-YST : accessed 4 December 2015), Marvin Fauzdick, Almena, Van Buren, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 145, sheet 9A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,689.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9BG-NL6 : accessed 4 December 2015), Marvin Fosdick, Almena township, Van Buren, Michigan, United States; citing sheet 8A, family 181, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,745.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW3J-3SJ : accessed 4 December 2015), Marvin Fosdick in household of Albert Fosdick, Almena, Van Buren, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district 204, sheet 291D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0607; FHL microfilm 1,254,607.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHC2-6LP : accessed 3 December 2015), Marvin Fosdick in household of Harvey Fosdick, Michigan, United States; citing p. 24, family 214, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,205.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW63-X8H : 18 February 2021), Marvin Fordick in entry for Harvey Fordick, 1860.

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF8G-NMY : accessed 4 December 2015), Marvin D Fosdick in household of Harry Fosdick, Almena, Van Buren, Michigan, United States; citing family 39, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Death

Almena, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA, Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KF7V-81M : accessed 4 December 2015), Marvin Fauzdik, 18 Jun 1932; citing Almena, Van Buren, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,973,118.

http://seekingmichigan.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16317coll1/id/555651

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=96887447

Burial: Almens Cemetery, Paw Paw, Van Buren Co., Michigan, USA

The Michigan Alumnus, Volume 39, 1932, page 133

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "The Michigan Argus", Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 26, 1875, http://oldnews.aadl.org/node/298228
  2. ↑ Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, http://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhlead/umich-bhl-87223?view=text
  3. ↑ "Annals of the Fosdick family", by Raymond Blaine Fosdick, New York, American Historical Co. [c1953], Appendices, page 143, http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89061681656
  4. ↑ "Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph", Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 10, 1890, pages 2-3, http://c278953.r53.cf1.rackcdn.com/004082.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Catalog_of_Copyright_Entries_v6_1000738201/175
  6. ↑ "The News Palladium", Benton Harbor, Michigan, August 12, 1935, page 7, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765771/the_newspalladium/
  7. ↑ "True Northerner", Cheboygan, Michigan, October 20, 1871, page 10, https://www.newspapers.com/image/171634782/
  8. ↑ "True Northerner", Cheboygan, Michigan, June 7, 1872, page 5, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7587139/the_true_northerner/
  9. ↑ "The Detroit News", Detroit, Michigan, September 19, 1884, page 3, http://www.newspapers.com/image/117685080
  10. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/117688053/
  11. ↑ Historic Magazine and Notes and Queries: A Monthly of History, Folk-lore, Mathematics, Literature, Art, Arcane Societies, Etc., 1882, https://books.google.com/books?id=oAZ0-awCjMgC&pg=PA603
  12. ↑ Miscellaneous Notes and Queries with Answers in All Departments of Literature, Volume 2, by S. C. & L. M. Gould, 1885, https://books.google.com/books?id=1iEAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA678
  13. ↑ "The Detroit News", Detroit, Michigan, March 19, 1885, page 4, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763537/detroit_free_press/
  14. ↑ "Omaha Daily Bee", Omaha, Nebraska, March 21, 1885, page 7, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763574/omaha_daily_bee/
  15. ↑ "The Daily Republican", Monongahela, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1885, page 2, http://www.newspapers.com/image/53078057/
  16. ↑ "Catalogue of Title Entries of Books and Other Articles", Issues 353-365, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1898
  17. ↑ "The Week's Progress: A Select Review of World News & Views", Volume 22, 1903, page 460, https://books.google.com/books?id=xIweAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA460
  18. ↑ http://www.worldcat.org/title/unieted-staits-wurdur/oclc/29822073
  19. ↑ "The Saint Paul Globe", Saint Paul, Minnesota, February 13, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763491/the_saint_paul_globe/
  20. ↑ "The Piqua Daily Call", Piqua, Ohio, February 13, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/12361414/
  21. ↑ "Sterling Daily Gazette", Sterling, Illinois, February 13, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/8425987/
  22. ↑ "The Decatur Daily Dispatch", Decatur, Illinois, February 13, 1890, page 4, http://www.newspapers.com/image/7291142/
  23. ↑ "The Ironwood Times", Ironwood, Michigan, February 15, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/3607878/
  24. ↑ "Atchison Daily Portrait", Atchison, Kansas, February 15, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5085168/atchison_daily_patriot/
  25. ↑ "Green Bay Press-Gazette", Green Bay, Wisconsin, February 13, 1899, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6301274/green_bay_pressgazette/
  26. ↑ "The Salem Daily News", Salem, Ohio, February 14, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763721/the_salem_daily_news/
  27. ↑ "Sterling Daily Gazette", Sterling, Illinois, February 14, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763729/sterling_daily_gazette/
  28. ↑ "The Times", Shreveport, Louisiana, February 15, 1890, page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6845629/the_times/
  29. ↑ "Sterling Daily Gazette", Sterling, Illinois, February 15, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/clip/3763759/sterling_daily_gazette/
  30. ↑ "The Inter Ocean", Chicago, Illinois, February 22, 1890, page 9, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765012/the_inter_ocean/
  31. ↑ "The Inter Ocean", Chicago, Illinois, March 5,1890, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765066/the_inter_ocean/
  32. ↑ "The Fort Wayne Sentinel", Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 6, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765077/the_fort_wayne_sentinel/
  33. ↑ "Logansport Reporter", Logansport, Indiana, March 6, 1890, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/35655276/
  34. ↑ "The Daily Times", Davenport, Iowa, March 6, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/299619714/
  35. ↑ "The Daily Democrat", Huntington, Indiana, March 6, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765138/the_daily_democrat/
  36. ↑ “The Inter Ocean", Chicago, Illinois, March 6, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3765725/the_inter_ocean/
  37. ↑ “The Whisperer”, Portis, Kansas, March 15, 1890, page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/image/424258027/
  38. ↑ "The Inter Ocean", Chicago, Illinois, March 23, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/34472768/
  39. ↑ "Chicago Daily Tribune", Chicago, Illinois, March 23, 1890, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/28785617/
  40. ↑ "The Daily Democrat", Huntington, Indiana, March 24, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/38292435/
  41. ↑ "Logansport Pharos-Tribune", Logansport, Indiana, March 24, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/4265535/
  42. ↑ "The Daily Chronicle", Centralia, Washington, March 25, 1890, page 1, http://www.newspapers.com/image/6355156/
  43. ↑ The Cyclopedic Review of Current History, Volume 1, Evening News Association, 1892, https://books.google.com/books?id=XYsfAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA48
  44. ↑ "Kalamazoo Evening News", Kalamazoo, Michigan, September 8, 1899, page 5, http://d3f386c1accae3ed6986-08184e157a80eb1831de50d2dff65d39.r45.cf1.rackcdn.com//032817.pdf#search=Fosdick&page=5




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