Woodbury's Victorian Murder Mansion

The following dreadful tale is true. Upon moving to Woodbury I began hearing little snippets of stories and half-truths surrounding the shocking 1979 murder of the elderly widow Rose Twells which had occured in her stately circa 1880 colonial revival manse on a quiet historic section of Delaware Street. The case remained a mystery until recently. After so many years unsolved new information was brought to light in 2003 and again in 2008 regarding the case and 3 men were finally convicted for the heinous crime, but details regarding the original incident remained unclear in the new press that was circulating.

It wasn't until discovering Woodbury's own enigmatic Canon William V. Rauscher's book, Religion, Magic, and the Supernatural that I learned the whole story. Religion, Magic, and the Supernatural is available for check out at the Woodbury Public Library and is a fascinating read in its own right. With Canon Rauscher's kind permission the Chapter pertaining to the murder of poor Mrs. Twells is reprinted here in its entirety:

Murder in the Parish

Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.

William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5

The great King of Kings Hath in the tables of his law commanded that thou shalt do no murder.

William Shakespeare
Richard III, Act 1, Scene 4

The Twells family is well remembered in Christ Church for their generosity in memorial gift giving. Fittings for the Font, the Sanctuary Gates, the original Pipe Organ, the Altar, a Memorial Window, the Altar Reredos — all were gifts from this family so devoted to Christ Church.

One important member of the old Twells family was still living when I ministered as Rector of Christ Church. This was John Stokes Twells, a former mayor of Woodbury from 1935 to 1938, and a direct descendant of Delaware's Caesar Rodney, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. John and his younger wife Rose lived in a 14-room 140-year-old house on Delaware Street, just down the street on the left from Christ Church, and two doors away from the Davis Funeral Home.

Rose was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Woodbury. She was also active in the Woodbury Women's Club, and served as a volunteer for the Red Cross. For 15 years she taught in the Mantua Grove School in West Deptford, New Jersey. Her husband, John, was a member of Christ Church, and Rose saw to his spiritual needs by requesting that I bring him his Holy Communion when he became too infirm to attend church services. I went to their house regularly until his death in 1970.

The house in which John and Rose lived was a time capsule, with old furniture scattered everywhere. As you entered there was a stairwell next to a hall; John's former office was in the back of the house, and in it was his old roll-top desk.

Rose was frail, demure, independent, and always pleasant — a sweet, kind lady in the truest sense of the word. She led an orderly life, loved her garden, and took long walks. Rose cared for John in his old age as carefully as a nurse would care for a patient. By the time I knew the couple John could barely hear, and when I said the prayers I spoke loudly. Rose would always shout at the top of her lungs to announce my arrival, "JOHN, THE RECTOR IS HERE!"

After John died Rose continued to live in the old house despite concern about her living alone in such a large place. Celeste Twells Edgcumbe, John Twells' niece, and her husband Charles lived directly across the street, and often worried about her well being. They had always been very close to "Aunt Rose," and checked on her daily.

The Edgcumbe family was active in Christ Church, and Charles eventually became my Senior Warden. Celeste loved her association with the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), and when this group held scheduled meetings with speakers who presented historical topics the gatherings were held in the assembly room of Christ Church. None of us had any idea of the dramatic role Charles would play in what happened on Thursday, December 20, 1979.

At 82 years of age, Rose planned a Christmas visit to relatives who lived in Baltimore, but before she left she was to have dinner at the Edgcumbes. It was a bitterly cold day with snow on the ground. That afternoon I drove my car down Delaware Street on my way to Philadelphia, and as I passed the Twells house I thought, "That's a spooky old place for Rose to live at her age." When Rose didn't appear on time for dinner at the Edgcumbe house, and did not answer her telephone when her niece called, Charles Edgcumbe went across the street at 2 p.m. to check on her. When there was no response to his knock on the front door, he used his key to enter the house. And what he found at the foot of the stairs shocked him and stunned the entire community!

Rose Twells had been brutally murdered — Charles found this pitiful kind lady hanging by her feet from the banister at the foot of the stairwell. Her ankles were tied together with an electric lamp cord, and she had been bludgeoned to death with a three pound iron cauldron. Blood was splattered everywhere.

Gloucester County Times reporter and columnist Jim Six, who has followed the facts of the case murder. since 1979, covered the story in its entirety, and later wrote several additional follow-up articles. The city of Woodbury saw for itself the photo of the police carrying Rose's body out of the house. Her funeral on December 26, 1979 was held at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by The Reverend Richard Craven, and under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home (which was so close to the murder house). Rose was interred in the family plot with her husband John (Lot #3260) in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, New Jersey. A large imposing stone marks the grave and is engraved with the name "Twells."

And so Woodbury, New Jersey had a murder mystery on its hands that would continue for the next 23 years. The city reflected the words of the English dramatist John Webster when he wrote in The Duchess of Mafi, IV: 2, "Other sins only speak: murder shrieks out."

Within the parish, rumors began to circulate as to who could have committed such a horrendous crime. Rose had occasionally been helped by a few young people who ran errands for her, and it was thought it might have been one of them. It had already been decided a person who knew her had performed this foul act. The police determined there was no sign of forced entry, and found the back door unlocked, but there were no footprints or other signs since snow had fallen and covered the ground. With such slim evidence and a possible suspect, nothing was ever proven to warrant making an arrest, and the investigation of the case continued for years.

Several members of the parish had their own ideas about the perpetrator. Some of them would pull me aside and with utter conviction whisper, "It was the Mayor's son!"

At that time the Mayor of Woodbury was a man named Frederick Bayer. These people knew Rose was friendly with the Bayer family, including their son who had occasionally performed odd jobs for her. Fred Bayer himself was well liked. Years before, Fred had owned a moving company; in fact it was he who moved me from Florence, New Jersey to Woodbury. I had never met his adopted son Jeffrey, who was then 16 years old — but from information supplied by parishioners I learned he was a troubled youth and a problem to his parents. From the beginning Jeffrey was the prime suspect, but after being interviewed more than six times in ten months many questions remained, and there was no confession.

Shortly after the murder William Raynor, another parishioner, asked to see me. Raynor was now a man of means, and as a young man had acted as a chauffeur for John Twells. He was totally devastated by the murder, and determined that the person who committed this vile act would be found and prosecuted. One day he arrived at my office with $5,000 in cash —reward money given by him, with the stipulation that the donor was to remain anonymous. We deposited the money in the church accounts, and although the reward was publicized, nothing ever came of it. Many years later the money was returned to Mr. Raynor.

One night my rectory doorbell rang. There in the dim light of early evening stood a short, stout woman known in the city as Emma Burton. Emma was a fixture in the community who sold potholders. She was considered eccentric, but was thought of as a kind woman. Emma said in a stern voice, "Canon Rauscher, I am here to talk to you about the murder of Rose Twells."

She followed me into my study, and rambled on about who she thought had killed Rose. Actually she seemed sensible until she sailed into a fantasy about the same people trying to gas her in her house by putting poison in her furnace and pumping it into her hot air system. Her deluded information was of no value, but I informed the police of her visit.

Even after I retired in 1996 I could never forget Rose Twells' murder. Every time I passed the Twells house I remembered that terrible night, even though by now the house had been sold to a real estate company.

Twenty-three years after the murder, and years after I had retired Jim Six called me and said: "Big news is about to break from the Prosecutor's Office." The Woodbury Police had just arrested three men for the murder of Rose Twells. Jeffrey K. Bayer, age 39, Clifford M. Jeffrey, age 41, and Mark E English, age 41 were charged with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder. Police, detectives, remaining family and many friends were relieved that after all these years there would finally be a chance for justice. The police had never given up on the case, but it took an informant who was associated with the perpetrators to unleash the secrets leading to their arrests. This informant was LouAnn Vennell-Waller, who was 17 years old at the time the murder took place, and who had an intimate relationship with Bayer. Waller admitted she had acted as a lookout while the trio went into the house to get money for drugs. She named Jeffrey Bayer, her once boyfriend, as the person who grabbed Rose after she fell on the stairs. When Rose recognized Bayer and threatened to call his father, Bayer hit her in the head with the iron cauldron. Waller came forth because she could no longer live with the memory of the crime, and for her cooperation she received immunity from the prosecutors. When the arrests were announced one woman in my former parish said, "See, I told you it was Bayer! We all knew it from the beginning!" The words of the poet John Dryden seemed appropriate to me at the time of the arrest when he once wrote, "Murder may pass unpunished for a time, But tardy justice will o'ertake the crime."

Bayer was charged as a juvenile, but then the legal debate began to rage as to whether he or the others should be tried as juveniles or adults. Finally it was determined they would be tried as adults.

On Tuesday, May 17, 2005 the trial began, and as it progressed Jeffrey Bayer, a man with 17 prior convictions, admitted his many crimes as a youth including stealing from his own parents, but he denied knowing Rose Twells or ever committing the murder for which he was accused. The testimony accumulated against him was overwhelming to the 12 jurors who deliberated for three hours on Friday, May 27, until finally coming to a decision. The Forewoman read the verdict — GUILTY of a felony murder. The jury determined Bayer was a "party to a murder during the commission of another crime." This is different from saying Bayer committed the murder with his own hands. This decision is the result of legal problems when there is no DNA, and only the testimony of witnesses is available. But nevertheless all testimony for the prosecution led to his guilt, and Bayer, now 41 years old dressed in a suit and tie, showed no emotion. On Friday, July 15, 2005 he was sentenced by Superior Court Judge John Tomasello to thirty years in prison. The jury deliberated for less than nine hours. He was spared the death penalty because the court had to operate under the 1979 rules at the time the murder was committed, but his 17 prior convictions influenced his sentence. Bayer's accomplices, English and Jeffrey, would be tried separately. Court TV filmed the entire trial considering the drama and intrigue of this case.

Suppose the case had never been solved? Suppose no one ever came forward? Would justice ever triumph? I believe so, as I do in all murder cases — but perhaps not on earth. The biblical truth is that we pay for such beastly sins. If an earthly judge does not render a sentence, then we must face our fate with a judgment upon our earthly life in another realm. Some might argue this is not enough. Personally I think it is more than sufficient, because this final judgment will take place in addition to any earthly judgment. The suffering of consciousness after death is a prime factor in divine justice — and we will be judged, make no mistake about it, with a punishment far worse than any jail sentence or death sentence handed out on earth.

As for Rose Twells, she is now cared for by a loving God who received her into the arms of His mercy, and into Paradise. - William V. Rauscher

_________________

Woodbury's Mystical William V. Rauscher

William V. Rauscher
photo: Douglas A. Hill
from: http://www.thurstonmastermagician.com

Throughout its 330 years of existence, Woodbury has continuously laid claim to being home to extraordinary people. This post aims to highlight just a few of the many accomplishments of one such individual, the Rev. Canon William V. Rauscher, Jr., author, Freemason, magician, and of course, former Rector of Christ Episcopal Church from 1960 to 1996. I am excited to have had the opportunity to ask Canon Rauscher a few questions regarding what life was like in Woodbury in the 1960s and more. I'll present the Q & A below, but first a little introduction.
 
Having been born in Long Branch, NJ and raised in Highlands, NJ, Canon Rauscher did not arrive in Woodbury until 1960 when he accepted the call to become the 11th Rector of Christ Church. "A student of Ascetical and Mystical Theology, as well as Parapsychology, Psychical Research, and Comparative Religions, Canon Rauscher's studies and experiences span decades, including his special interests in magic, mentalism, mediums and psychics (Mitchell, 2008)." A former president of the Woodbury Clergy Association, Rauscher was instrumental in bringing together two early panel discussions at the Roman Catholic Church. It was considered the first ecumenical effort in Woodbury. During his many years as Rector, Rauscher hosted popular religion and science seminars which brought guests and speakers from across the United States (and even abroad) to Woodbury. Attendance to these lectures was comprised of a mixture of people from all faiths and walks of life. Some of the guest speakers for these lectures include astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell (6th man to walk on the moon); Hugh Lynn Cayce of the Association for Research and Enlightenment (son of psychic Edgar Cayce); Yoga master Amrit Desai; controversial famous psychic Arthur Ford; "heavy organist" Virgil Fox; and a range of other magicians, actors, parapsychologists and writers.


Canon Rauscher (r) and J.B. Rhine (l),
founder of the Duke University
Parapsychology lab
photo from: Religion, Magic,
and the Supernatural

Canon Rauscher in his autobiography further elaborates, "As far back as 1960 I had hosted science and religions seminars. I believed, even then, that the future would bring these two fields closer together. My former rectories have hosted many personalities in a long list of lectures, discussions, and remarkable guests. The famous healers Ambrose and Olga Worrall often visited and prayed for the sick. The noted researcher Dr. Ian Stevenson once conducted interviews. Arthur Ford demonstrated his trance mediumship for guests. The British medium Douglas Johnson turned into Chiang, his spirit control. Ted Serios strained at a camera to attempt to produce pictures by thought. A medium called forth "supposed" past lives. A famous magician talked of illusion, sleight of hand, and fraud. Hypnotists tried to create X-ray vision. Scientists spoke of parapsychology and religion. Clergy told of their psychic and mystical experiences. People claiming to be possessed paced my study. Astrologers drew charts over dinner. A prominent psychiatrist privately read tarot cards for the parish staff. Automatic writers brought their manuscripts to be read. A relative who read tea leaves and cards gave a special session for the Bishop's wife. Secret visits were made by prominent persons who wished their interests to remain unknown. Flying saucer fans brought their photos of UFO's. Young adults begged help for others involved in Satan worship. Newscasters privately pursued their interests in my research library. Students came to borrow books and prepare papers. Telephone calls ranged from those seeking help under "psychic attack" to those thinking they were destined to be the successors of some famous psychic, or who were convinced they lived in a haunted house. College professors came to Christ Church to research papers -- all because of interest in what was then called the "psychic revolution" and the calling within to seek and find."


Christ Church, Woodbury NJ
photo: dw Brown

Anyone who has ever traversed downtown Woodbury along Delaware Street has certainly admired the lovingly preserved Christ Church building. It is partially to Canon Rauscher's credit that it is in as good of shape as it is today. Built in 1856 in a Gothic Revival style, the church is noted for being designed by notable Scottish/American architect John Notman who was accredited for introducing the Italianate architectural style to America. The adjacent Victorian era "Norris House," now the Christ Church rectory is even older, dating back before 1855. When Rev. Rauscher arrived over one hundred years later, the buildings were in need of restoration. One of his first moves as Rector was to assure the longevity of these historic buildings by initiating such repairs as a complete repointing of the stone church, replacement of termite-damaged beams, replacing the church's slate roof and many other improvements to the parish buildings. Throughout his many years following as rector, the parish was continually kept in top order. In 1998 a stained glass window was placed in the church honoring Canon Rauscher's life and ministry. It features numerous symbolic representations unique to Canon Rauscher's life such as a Square and Compass, Zener Cards, and Moon complete with embedded lunar material presented by Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell (see below for a photo of the window).

Aside from his many parochial accomplishments, Canon Rauscher is also a prolific author of many titles, some of which are pictured below. A complete list can be found at his publisher's website: Mystic Light Press and include such titles as the Mind Readers, Magic in Rhyme, and Church in Frenzy. His recent autobiography Religion, Magic, and the Supernatural: The Autobiography, Reflections, and Essays of an Episcopal Priest, an 850+ page tour de force documents the many facets of Canon Rauscher's fascinating life. Charles Reynolds, author, theatrical consultant and magic historian calls the autobiography his, "magnum opus" and goes on to explain, "In addition to his pastoral duties, Rauscher has devoted his life to a study of mystery in the pulpit, the seance room, and on stage. Much of this giant volume of over 850 pages with hundreds of illustrations (many previously unpublished) is devoted to the history of magic and magicians as well as overlapping fields such as spiritualism, the paranormal, spook shows, escapology, and even ventriloquism."

Of course I am merely scratching the surface regarding Canon Rauscher. It is impossible to provide here a complete overview of the many stories that make up his extraordinary life, which is why I highly recommend the above autobiography. For now, let's hear a little from the man himself and his recollections of "old" Woodbury...

1.       When you arrived in Woodbury in 1960 what was your first impression?

Woodbury was much less urban.  Broad St. had the usual compliment of American town stores such as the corner drug store, Wakmans Hardware, 5 & 10, clothing store, movie theater and the Homestead restaurant.  When I arrived in Woodbury, Underwood Hospital was still a wooden building.  I recall that when they wanted to drop the name Underwood for what I believe was Memorial Hospital there was an outcry from the old guard of the town.   The second Mrs. Underwood (Althea) was one of my parishioners and many of our people were volunteers at Underwood.  In a sense, they prevented the drop of the Underwood name and so it went on.   All things come to an end with advancing decisions and now it is no longer Underwood.   People walked the street, had a soda at the 5 & 10 soda counter all in a kind of middle America atmosphere.  I arrived in August of 1960 as the new rector of Christ Church having served 3 years prior to Woodbury in Florence, NJ at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.  

2.       You certainly had a long run as the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church and I’ve read of the extensive restoration/repair work to the Church and Parish house you had done. What prompted you to initiate this work?

I followed a rector, The Rev. Canon Robert G.W. Williams who had been rector 42 years!  He was a kind, devoted and wonderful man.  He was born in Wales, a Welshman with wife and family.  His wife Alice wrote a column for the Woodbury Times.  Since property was always a problem, there were many repairs needed to the buildings. The improvements were eventually accomplished and during the remainder of his life we were close friends.  He lived in Woodbury, loved the parish, had many friends and it never bothered me if he served or took part in any parish event.

My ministry lasted 36 years.  There have been two rectors since I retired in 1996.  The current rector, The Rev. Brian Burgess and his wife Denise have made many improvements to the property including beautifying the interior of the rectory. Father Burgess has maintained meticulous attention to the property and grounds along with distinguishing himself as a pastor.

3.        Did you enjoy staying in the circa 1850 Victorian “Norris House,” which later became the Christ Church Rectory in 1885? What did you like most about living there?

The rectory has been the residence for rectors since the beginning.  Many churches have sold off their rectories which I think is a mistake.  New rectors usually like to buy their own house and receive a housing allowance then move on. They sell their house and the churches are left with no rector, no rectory.   Christ Church has maintained the large and well-kept rectory all these years.  It was expected that the rectors that followed me live in the rectory provided by the church.   One advantage is that you are close to the property.  As a rector you are a custodian of the past, an heir to history and expected to be in command of the present.  I enjoyed the house.  I always felt it had a special ambiance, a mood, a link with the past and even a link with the spiritual history of the parish itself.

Circa 1896 photo of the Rectory, Christ Church and the old Temperance Hall (from L-R)

Circa 1909 postcard of the Rectory, Christ Church and the old Temperance Hall (from L-R)

4.      Throughout the years of your lecture series you certainly had a cast of characters staying overnight at the rectory. Do you have any interesting stories to tell regarding this?

I sponsored many lectures in the parish house and events on the parish house stage.  All the lectures had religions implications and many were by researchers.  For example...if I had a person speak on dream research I would ask them to make reference to the subject of dreams in the bible.  All those lectures were a compliment to faith...a way of ennobling faith.  Some dealt with consciousness raising, prayer, meditation, the subject of life after death, healing and other dimensional thinking.  Dr. Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the moon spoke twice in my parish drawing big crowds.  It was exciting to have these people on the platform and it was also a kind of extended ministry to the community.   It was all about the study of consciousness and awareness.   Some of this took place during what we called the Psychic Revolution.  Those speakers who took on the subject of ESP, etc., were not evangelists of the subject but merely trying to show that there is within us an extra dimension that transcended the usual senses.  There were talks that also warned of the dangers of dabbling with the Occult.  It was all sensible material offered by people with good credentials.  They were interesting time in the midst of the rise of the cults, the Aquarian Age, the Hippies, the Now generation and all else.   Fortunately I had through the years, five assistants known as Curates.  We still keep in touch and some are now retired.  One of my outstanding curates was The Rev. Dr. John E. Bird who is retired and lives in Woodbury.  Years ago we had purchased the half house next to the rectory and that was the Curates residence.  With all the demands I was also active in the Diocese of NJ having served on numerous committees.

5.       Have you ever encountered any opposition in the community with you hosting psychics, magicians, illusionists, astronauts, actors, etc.?

Since my youth I was interested in stage magic and my hobby eventually resulted in doing magic shows for fun and entertainment. But..I never brought it into the pulpit...I never did Gospel Magic!  I was interested in the history of the old time great magicians.  I saw no value in trying to teach the story of the Loaves and Fishes by multiplying small sponges!   I have written books on great magicians of the past and they are listed on my website (http://www.mysticlightpress.com/).   I did not have any backlash from those interests as I kept it all in perspective.

6.       What in your opinion caused the gradual decline of downtown Woodbury? Any thoughts on how to revive our city?

The Mall changed things.  Who was going to buy a shirt on Broad St. when you could see a thousand shirts at the Mall.  Who was going to a family owned movie house when you could select from seven movies at the Mall. Broad St. as a business district began to fade.  Small business while paying rent could not gain the income to keep going.  Friends now think of Woodbury as a Lawyer town!   Perhaps one answer might be more boutiques, antique shops, specialty shops, store fronts that exude charm and have unique products.  I don't really know the answer but the town has struggled with this problem for years.  Maybe the new shops included in the renovation of the Green building will be unique but whatever they are you still have to draw the crowd to pay the bills. None of this is unique since it is all part and parcel of the decline of towns with empty stores across the land.   

7.       What do you miss most about the “old” Woodbury?

What I miss about "old" Woodbury is the feeling it once had.  It was a feeling of family, of stores run by people who knew each other.  I guess I would call it a small town feeling even though it was and is a city.

8.       Any new books planned? 

I have enjoyed writing books.  All my titles are in the Woodbury Public Library.  My most recent was "Milbourne Christopher: The Man and His Magic". He was well known in his day as a magic historian, collector of magic memorabilia with appearance on all the T.V. shows of his day including T.V.  magic specials that paved the way for such performers as Doug Henning and David Copperfield.  I was privileged to have been published by Doubleday, St. Martins Press and New American Library.   Those books included one on the subject of Suicide, the Psychic Revolution called "The Spiritual Frontier" and several others.   I did all those in the midst of a busy life of ministry and also after I retired. I may have another book in me but until a 'light' goes off in my mind I won't know.  I do prefer non-fiction to fiction.  I find writing a solitary effort that centered in a creative aloneness where you sit and tell a story to yourself!

I found that the ministry is not a life style but a life.  I was pleased to serve and like Canon Williams I retired in Woodbury, a place I love and with people I have known for decades.  Besides:  I knew where the Acme was, the hospital, doctors and all else.  Why move away, create obstacles and then try to surmount them!!

Stained glass window in Christ Church, Woodbury
dedicated in 1998 to the life and ministry of Canon Rauscher

Thank you Canon Rauscher for your many contributions to our community and beyond. May this world continue to be a better, more enlightened (and more mysterious) place with you in it.

_____________________

Mitchell, J. A. (2008). Christ episcopal church: Woodbury, New Jersey 1857-2007. (1st ed., pp. 173-175). Rockland, ME: Custom Museum Publishing.

Rauscher, W. V. (2006). Religion, magic, and the supernatural. Woodbury, NJ: Mystic Light Press.