2
TRAPPING A MURDERER.
OVER twenty years ago (said Mr. Whit
tnlre, a detective with whom I re
cently bad an interview), I was on tlie
police force of New York. One summer
night, a few minutes past twelve, I wan
pacing my heat in a quiot part of C
Street, when a man called out from a
second-story window :
" I say, sir, are you a policeman?"
"Yos," I replied. "What is the mat
ter?" " I hoard a hoavy jar in Mr. Bradley's
house, next door, and he may have fallen
and hurt himscll. He just came in a few
minutes ago. If 1 were you I would ling
the bell."
Mr. Bradley was a wealthy old bachelor,
who had lived entirely alone for years, in
an old-fashioned brick house. His riches
were a subject of frequent gossip ; and it
was said that in his house, to which no out
sider was ever admitted, he kept a large
amount of money and silver-waro. I rang
the bell, but there was no response.
" Are you sure you saw him go in ?" I
asked.
" Yes ; sure of it. He hadn't been in
half a minute before I heard a heavy fall.
I have heard no sound since."
"There must be something wrong," I
said, after ringing tho bell a second time,
and receiving no .response. 1 tried the door,
but it was locked.
" If I were you I would force the door,''
suggested the man at the window.
" I don't like to do that. Is there any
other entrance ?"
" Yes, that alley just beyond the steps
leads to a back yard ; but the gate is prob
ably locked, as well as the rear door."
" I will go and see," said I ; and walking
up the narrow alley, I discovered, by the
dim light of a Btroet lamp nearly opposite,
that the gate stood open.
I -looked in, and perceived that the rear
door was open, and a faint light shone out.
All was perfectly quiet. I returned to
the street, and said to the man at the
window l
" The gate and back door are open.
Come down and we'll go in."
In half a minute he joined me on the
sidewalk, when I recognized him as an ac
quaintance, named Henry Collins.
" Ah, is tiiis you ? " 1 didn't know you
lived here," I said.
41 Yes, and I didn't recognize you when
I first spoke.l
" Well," said I, " there may have been
some foul work in this house, and we had
better both go in."
We went up the alley, into the yard, and
entered the open door. The rear room was
evidently UBed as a kitchen ; and guided by
the dim light, we passed through another
open door into a narrow hall with a stair
way. Near the street door was an old
table, on which stood a lighted candle, that
bad burned to within an inch of the can
dlestick. At the foot of the stairs lay Mr,
Bradley, quite dead, and a frightful wound
upon his head convinced me that he had
been murdered.
At my request, Mr. Collins hurried away
to the police station, two hundred yards
distant, to inform the captain, while I took
the candle and made a hasty examination
of the premises. A number of drawers in
the second-story bock room had been bro
ken open and ransacked, and on the floor
lay half of a fresh-looking newspaper.
Knowing that the old bachelor was not in
the habit of spending money for newspa
pers, it struck me that the robber might
have had it in bis pocket, and possibly used
the other half to wrap up some of his
plunder, leaving behind him, in a hurry,
what might prove a valuable clue. I there
fore folded up the fragment, and put it In
my pocket. A moment after Mr. Collins
returned, accompanied by several officers
and a surgeon.
To make this part of the story brief, I
will state that the usual formalities follow
ed, the body being handed over to the cor
oner, and the oase was placed in the hands
of the detectives. I at first intended to
give them the bit of newspaper I had pick
ed up, but I had some ambition to be
detective myself, and concluded to keep it,
at least a day or two, to see if I could find
A olue from it It was lucky I did.
On the following afternoon, while off
duty, and walked around in ordinary dress,
I paused opposite a well-known hotel, to
watch some painters who were at work on
a swinging-ladder under the eaves, and my
eyes chanced to alight on a man who sat
by a third-story window, apparently en
gaged in packing a valise. The window
was open, and as ho lifted some article
from the ledge to store it away, a piece of
newspaper on which it bad been lying was
carried out over the street by a draught of
air, and came fluttering down into the gut
ter, near my feet.
I might not have noticed this trifling cir
cumstance, but for the manner in which
the paper bad been torn that is, not in
straight line, but almovt in the form of the
letter V, as though it bad been done hur
riedly. This, I remembered, corresponded
with the piece I had picked up in the mur-
aereo, man s House, ami j snatclied it up
and went into an adjacent alley to compare
them. What a leap my heart gave, when
J discovered that the two halves of the
paper fitted together exactly. There was
no doubt of it. ,
"On his track," I muttered. "Aha, old
fellow, you don't get off with that valise so
easily."
And being familiar with the interior of
the hotel, I crossed the street, went in, and
was soon at the door of room Twenty-one,
from whose window the paper had blown.
I rapped gently upon the door, so as not to 1
startle him too much.
" Come in,V said a voico within." ". 1
I opened the door and recognized, still
seated on a chair by the window, the man
whom I bad seen packing the vriise, a task
he had just completed. He was a muscu
lar man of forty years, with a cloan-shaven
face that wore an expression of craftiness.
He seemed somowhat confused when I en
tered, and he said :
Ah, I thought it was tho porter 1
Haven't you made a mistake ?"
Without replying I deliberately locked
the door and put the key in my pocket,
while he stared amazedly.
' I see you are getting ready to leave, "I
remarked, sarcastically.
" Yes, but-but "
"Suppose you stay in New York a little
longer," I interrupted.
" Why, sir, what do you mean?" he ex
claimed, rising from his chair.
Oh, nothing of any great consequence,"
I replied coolly. "Porbaps you wouldn't
object to my taking a look into that valise,
eh?"
Perhaps you'll do me tho kindness to
get out of my room," he retorted.
He had taken the valise from the floor,
and I quickly snatched it from him. I had
scarcely done so when he dealt me a blow
near the temple with his fist, sending me
reeling across the room, where I brought
up against the door. He then snatched up
the valise which had fallen from my hand,
threw it on the bed, and angrily exclaim
ed :
"Look here, sir, are you drunk or crazy?
Now hand me that key, and get out of my
room, or I will throw you out of the win
dow 1"
" Not so fast," said I drawing my re
volver. " I am an officer, and am here to
arrest you for the murder you committed
last night."
He stared a moment, then a change came
over his countenance, and he sat down
again and fairly roared with laughter.
" Come, you can't play that," said I.
" This is no laughing matter. Where
are the money and silver-ware you took
from Bradley's house ?"
"Are you really an officer?'' he asked,
growing serious again.
" Certainly I am. Perhaps you never
saw this bit of paper, sir," said I, display
ing the piece that had blown from his
window.
" My friend," he replied, " I admire the
earnestness with which you go about your
duties as detective, but you have by some
means or other got on the wrong scent. , I
am very sorry I struck you in a moment of
anger, and hope you will pardon me. I am
Charles M ,a Boston detective, of whom
you have probably heard. I arrived about
daylight this morning, and have since been
taking a good sleep, before attending to a
little business in Brooklyn. I registered as
J. Brown for a reason you will readily com
prehend. Here is my card, and here are
some slight evidences of my vocation."
Here he took two pairs of handcuffs from
his pocket, and jingled them before my as
tonished gaze. "By the way, if that is the
piece of newspaper that fell from my win
dow, and you think it has any connection
with the affair you speak of, it will prob
ably afford you an important clue. I found
it here, where it was probably left by a
former lodger, and I think there is a name
on the margin." ., ;
I examined the margin over the title of
the paper, and to my astonishment found
written in pencil the name and residence of
Henry Collins, It was a weekly paper
which I observed was published in a little
city he had formerly lived in, and its date
was so reoent that he must have received It
on the very day preceding the murder.
immediately took leave or nr. M , say.
ing that I thought I knew where the paper
had eome from, and begging his pardon for
having treated him so rudely, and hastened
down to the offloe of the hotel, where I ex
amined the register, finding the name of X
Brown (the detective), with room Twenty,
one assigned. I knew the clerk, and I in-
quired :
, " When did Mr. Brown take room Twen
ty-one?"
" Early this morning when I was not on
duty."
" Did any one occupy the room during
the night?"
"No or, yes let me see," he replied,
looking over the preoeding page of the reg
later " here is the name of Ilarvev Elton
I remember now He was without bag'
gage and paid for the room in advance,
saying be wanted to be called at three
o'clock. The porter went up at tht hour,
but the door was open and the bed had not
been slept in. The other clerk mentioned
to me that he gave the same room, this
morning to Mr. Brown, because he wanted
a front room."
" Do you remember the appearance of
Elton?"
" Yes rather small man, with full black
beard." "
Henry Collins was a small man, but wore
no beard. Of course my suspicions were
fixed on him as soon as I discovered his
name on the margin of the newspaper, yet
I never dreamed that he was capable of
committing a crime.
My mind now underwent a series of
rapid changes. One moment I regarded it
as almost certain that Henry Collins had
something to do with the murder j the next
moment I would say to myself, ' It is pre
posterous ; ho is no such man. There are
a thousand ways this paper might have
got into other hands He may have lent it
to old Bradley ; or it may have fallen from
his window ; or he may have lost it from
his pocket. Why should he have called
my attention to Bradley's house? Be
sides, he wears no beard."
On the subject of this beard it did not at
first occur to me that he might have worn a
false one ; but it did finally, and I recall
ed very soon afterward, what I now re
garded as a most suspicious circumstance.
It was about midnight that Honry Col
lins told me that Mr. Bradley had been in
but a few minutes. I now remembered
that the body was cold and rigid when I
first went in, and I hastened away to meet
the surgeon who had made the examina
tion, five minutes later.
I had the good luck to find him soon, and
in reply to my inquiry, he stated that Brad
ley must have been dead two hours when
he was called.
"Have the detectives found any clue?"
he asked.
Not that I'm aware of," I replied, and
took my leave.
My first step now was to go to an es
tablishment in which Collins was employed
and inquired for him.
On doing so, I was informed that he had
asked and obtained leave of absence to
visit Trenton.
I next started for his house, which was
half a mile distant carefully looking up
aud down every street I crossed. I had
made half of the distance when I caught a
glimpse of the very man I was looking
for.
He was coming towards me on one of the
cross streets, showing that he had not
come directly from his house. He carried
a valise, and by his side walked a small,
rough-looking man whom I did not know,
and with whom he was conversing earnest
ly. I went a few steps to meet them, and
was within a yard of them before Collins
saw me.
" Ah, how are you, Mr. Collins I
said.
He started visibly, but on recognizing
me, seemed to regain bis composure, and
answered my salutation. He would have
passed on, but I detained him by pausing
in front of him and opening a dialogue.
"Not going traveling?" said I.. .
"Yes a short distance only to New
Haven." . .
" Wouldn't it be just as well to go to
Trenton ?" I asked, in a significant tone,
eyeing him keenly.
He turned very pale, and in a voice that
quivered perceptibly, said : . ,
" Great heaven, Mr. Whitraire I what do
you mean?"
" I mean that you and your friend must
go to the station with me.".
With a look of despair on his white face
that I never . shall forget, he dropped his
valise, and staggered a step or so to an
awning-post, which he grasped for support
At the same moment his companion,
turned to dart away ; but luckily two men,
who had just stopped on the sidewalk to
talk about something, stood directly in his
path, and bis movements being confused,
I reached htm with one bound, and seized
him by the collar, warning him not to
resist.
'. He was thoroughly cowed, while Collins
had too little strength loft him to attempt
to escape.
In five minutes I marched them into the
station, together with the -valise, and had
them lockod np in separate cells.
I then told the captain the whole story,
He was disposed to think, at first that I
had mado a blunder ; but on questioning
the two prisoners, aud especially on ex
amining the valise, and finding a large
sum of money la it, he concluded that I
had caught the right men, and so distanced
the regular detectives.
It proved to be so, and the two men were
duly convicted of murder, on evidence that
was beyond all dispute. Indeed, when Col
line lost all hope of escaping the gallows,
he was so broken down that he made a full
confession, giving substantially the follow.
ing account of the crime :
The stories of Bradley's great wealth bad
first put it into his head to rob him. , By
watching a long time from a back window
he had discovered the nature of the fasten.
lugs by which the back door and gate were
secured. lie was not bold enough to uu,
dertake the task alone, but , be knew a
certaiu bad character named Kevorn, to
whom he confined his scheme, describing
the fastenings of Bradley s gate and door,
and asking hira if he could force them.
Kevorn said he could, and readily enter
ed into the plot. .They went to work a
little after dark, one night, when they
knew that Bradley bad gone out, but the
fastenings of the rear door resisted much
longer than they had expected, aud they
had nearly succeeded Ui entering when I
Bradley came in at the front door, lockod it
and lighted his candle. . ' - I ' ' '
Determined not to be foiled nor, they
rushed upon the old man and struck bira
down with the tools they' had been lining.
This, it seems, was between nine - and ten
o'clock.
They then ransacked the house,- finding
considerable money, chiefly in bank-notes.
The latter were In a disordered condition,
and to make s compact bundle of them,
Collins hastily tore in two the fatal news
paper, which he chanoed to have in his
pocket, using one-half to wrap his spoils
In, and in his nervous 'haste, leaving the
other lying upon tfce floor.
In order to examine their plunder at leis
ure, they went to the hotel alluded to,
where ono of them engaged a room to
which he repaired, and in which lie was
soon joined by the other. Both were dis
guised, a portion of Collins' being a false
beard.
Collins felt so nervous over the awful af
fair, that night, that he would not take
any of the plunder home with bim, and so,
after counting the money, he intrusted it
to Eevern for the night, with an under
standing that they should meet next day,
take a trip to New Haven, and there each
deposit his share in a bank in bis own
name, or any name he might choose to
assume.
When Kevern made a package of the
money again, he picked up a fragment of
another newspaper he found in the room,
leaving that bearing Collins' name lying
upon the floor. It was shortly after Col
lins returned home, that night, that he
called my attention to Bradley's house,
foolishly thinking that, by so doing, he
would never come within the range of
suspicion.
Collins died from pure terror before the
day appointed for his execution ; but Kev
ern paid the extreme penalty of the law.
It was this case, which I worked up on
my own account, and in which I was large
ly assisted by mere chance, that gave me
a place on the detective force ; and I have
been pretty successful ever since. Many a
man has worked hardorand displayed more
sagacity than I did on that occasion, with
out accomplishing so great an end.
Forgot his Broom. ,
Some years ago there was a crossing
sweeper in Dublin, with broom, at the cor
ner; and, in all probability, his highest
thoughts were to keep the crossing clean,
aud look ' for the pence. One day a lawyer
put his hand upon his shoulder, aud said
to him i
" My good fellow, do you know that you
are heir to a fortune of ten thousands
pounds a year ?" ,
" Do you mean it ?".he said.
" I do," he said. " I have just received
the information. I am sura that you are
the man." , , ,
The man was convinced. : He left his
corner, he walked away, he forgot his
broom, and he made haste . to seek bis in.
heritanoe. Like the woman of Samaria,
who " left her wator-potV by Jacob's well,
aud hastened to the city to proclaim the
presence of the Messiah whom she hod
seen, so this poor , man, filled with strange
thoughts of wealth and plenty, forsook bis
labors and forgot bis broom, ,
But are there not many who talk of their
title to a heavenly and eternal heritage,wbo
yet bold, fast the broom and cling to all the
cares and trifles and follies of this wretch
ed world ? O, man of earth, look up? God
has provided some better things , for mor
tals than, worldly gain or worldly good,
Drop your muck-rake, forget your broom
and seek an eternal heritage, , a never-
fading crown. . i ., .
How a Pedagogue Made Love.' ' ' ' 1 '
Mr. Mills, Southslde School Superloten
dent, makes out examination questions for
teachers in a way peculiar to himself,
winding up every question witb, " If so
why for, "If not, why not?" One of
the teachers tells this story about him : 1 ' '
She says she boarded once at the same
place' where his "girl" boarded."' Ope
night he came, rang the bell, and asked
the servant: ' "' '
,Is Miss in, and if so, why ? Is
she engaged, and how?" ' '
Then be went in, and the little tattle-tale
listening at they key-hole, heard him
say : - ; -; ' ' - ," " ' "
"My darling, do you love me? If not,
why not?"
After a while" Give a synopsis of your
employment during the week. Analyze
thoroughly and completely the state of
your sentiments towards me."
When he left, after kissing her; be re
marked : ', . ;; i ' . . ;.
" Be prepared on Sunday next, at balf
past two P. !., to state, accurately and
concisely, when . where, aud by whom, and
under what circumstances our marriage
shall be performed."
i .. .
tW A deaf old lady, who bad brought
an action, for damage agaiuet,, a neighbor,
.was being examined, when the judge sug
gested a compromise, and instructed coun
sel to ask what she would, take to settle the
matter. "His honor wants to know what
you will take?",, akked the learned counsel,
bawling as loud as ever, he could,-, lu the
old lady's ear.,, 'I thank his honor kind
ly," answered the ancient dunie ; "and If
it's no lll-conwenlence to him, PU take a
little warm ale I". , , . .. n
Professional Cards.
JE. J0NK1N. Attorney-at-Law,
... i New liloonilleld. Ferry Co., Fa.
- omos-Noxt door to the residence of Judge
iinkln. .-.! ,( 45H
i
AM. MARKEL,Attnrney.t-Law,
New Bloomtlcld, l'e.ry county, Pa.
SirOfflcewl Hi Oban. A. Harnett, Esq., Centre
Square, adjoining Mortimer's More.
-J-EWIS POTTER,
A A 1UIINJSI AT X.AYY ,
WEW BLOOMFIKLD, PERRY CO., PA. ; .
?Clfilms nromntlv secured anrl nianta
Writings and aft legal business carefully attend
ed to. 82 yl
JAMES U. FERGUSON, Attorney-at-Law,
NEWPORT, PA.
ewomce Market street, near tne Square. 36 6
CHARLES II. SMILEY. Attorney at Law.
New Bloonilleld, Perry Co. Pa.
-Ofl1ee with n. A. Hnrnett. Kan... n-t. ilnnt
to Mortimer's store August 20, 1872
"VfTM. A. 8FONSLER, Attorney-at-Law,
vy Ofttcc adjoining lils residence, on East
Main street. Now Bloointleld, Perry co., Fa. 8 2 ly
C HAS. A. BAENETT, Attorney-at-Law,
New Bloointleld, Perry oo., Pa.
3.umce adjoining Morfcaiei" Store. 321y
f DAILY, Attorney at Law,
' New Bloointleld, PerryCo., Pa.
OfKcp nnrmltM Ilia l'n,.r II.,..,.. nnA u.n
door east of the Perry County Dank.
ueiers w u. luciuure, .sq. June27,1571.
JOHN G. SHATTO, Burgeon Dentist.
New Bloointleld, Perry co.. Pa.
All kinds of Mechanical and Surgical Dentistry
done In the best manner, and at reasonable
prices.
VOfllce at his residence, one door East ot the
Robinson House, and opposite Wm. A. Sponsler's
i.ttw unlet,. , a a iy
WM. M. BUTCH,
ATTORN EY-AT-LAW,
iew liiooinneid, rerryco., ra.
"Off!ce Two doors West of F. Mortimer
Store 3 7 ly
CHAS.J. T, McTNTIRE, Attorney-at-Law,
New liloonilleld, Perry co.. Pa.
- All professional business promptly andfulth
fully attended to. 32 lv.
WM. N. SE1BEHT, Attorney-at-Law, '
New BloomUeld, Perry Co., Ta.
BlUUIUlieiU, 3 34 IV
LEWIS POTTER, not art pdblio. New Bloom
Held, Perry Co., Pa.
Deeds, Bonds, MnrtRages and Leases carefully
prepared and acknowledgements taken. All
kinds of Pension and Bounty papers drawn and
certltled, will also take depositions to be rer.d In
any court in me un.ieu states.- i i viuiy
M. A. MOKRISOX,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE and GENERAL
COLLECTOR, NbwUekmantown, Perry co-, Pa.
- Remittances will be made promptly for all
Collections made. ' ' 7 44
yyiI.l,IAM M. 8UTC1I,
Justice of the ' Peace
AND GENERAL COLLECTOR,
New Bloomfleld, Perry County, Penn'a
Kf Sneclal attention naid to rnllpctlnns nf nil
kinds. Deeds, Bonds, Mortgages aud Agreements
eatlyn executed.
716tf
Auctioneer. The. undersigned gives
notice that he will cry sales at any point In Perry
or Dauplu counties. Orders are solicited and
prompt attention will be given: ;
-,. : , K. D. WELLS,
New Buffalo,
' " v - Perry co.. Pa
REAL ESTATE
At Private Sate.'
The undersigned will sell at private sale his val
uable farm situate in Juniata township, Perry co.,
Pa., adjoining lands of Ueorge Tiuill, George
Ickes aud others, containing
01 .A. a UBS,
of Red Slate land, about 75 Acres are cleared, and
In a high state of cultivation. The balance Is
well set with timber. -; . ,.,,.,.,
The Improvements are a good two story Log
and Weatlierboarded
DWELLING HOUSE,
LARGE BANK BARN, '
TENANT HOUSE, CARRIAGE HOUSE, NEW
HOG PEN and WOOD HOUSE.
There is also a Well of good water near the
house.
There are also TWO GOOD APPLE ORCH
ARDS on this farm, with a variety of other fruit
trees. This property Is near the village of Markle
yllle In a good neighborhood.
Any person desiring to purchase a home, should
see this property before niakfug a tlnul Invest
ment. Price $5,000 1 payments, 12,000 on the 1st of
April, 1871, at which time a deed will be delivered,
and possession given. The balance to be paid In
three equal annual payments, with interest, to be
secured by judgment bonds. . .
"Call on or address "'''
JACOB KLINE, . ( , r, ,
Marklevllle, Perry co., Pa.,'
OH ... .1,. . .
LEWIS POTTER,
2tf New liloonilleld. Perry co., Pa.
LEB .A. IsT O IT t
Mutual Fire Insurance Coihpany,
Jonestown, PoniVa.
POLICIES PERPETUAL at Low Rates, No
Steam risks taken. This U one of the best
conducted and most reliable Companies in the
State. Country property insured Perpetually
atu 00 per thousand, and Town property at 15 0b
per thousand.
LEWIS POTTER, ,
' . - NEW BLOOMF1ELD, PA. 4
418 . Agent for Perry County.. "
LOOK OUT!
I would respectively Inform my Irttnds that I In
tend calling upon them with a supply of goody
of my ..i',.
;. OWN MANUFACTURE. .
Consisting of .-;,- . m
OA98IMBRS., . . -.i .
0A83INET8, , .,1 - ;
VT.tHHiri.H IPIniliiiirfharMl
to exchange forVool or sell for cash. '' ' '
, : ' , .iJ.M.BIXLEB. '
Centre Wooi.ek Factoht. , . , , . 17.4m
rr, i-r-
j. u.'oihvim. , . , . b, oixvm
j, si. giuvin & epjf, ' '
CommlMIo Blorolinnt,,
, ., No. 8, SPEAR'S WHARF.
It a 1 1 1 in o r e M 1 .
T VWe will pay strict attention to the sale of all
lids of country produce, and remit the ttnioiiiit
promptly. - 6 341y