Norwalk Chronicler

Evening gazette, Saturday, March 28, 1896 · page 7

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’ Ill M’GRATH PUZZLE

T I .
The Dead Girl’s Father Declares That
I She Was Murdered.

l
REASONS FOR HIS THEORY.

His Daughter \Vas Making Preparations
For Eastertide—Howard Fitzsirpmons,
the Man to \Vhorn Annie Was
Engaged, Tells His Story.

 

 

PHILADELPHIA, March 28.—-Henry Mc-
Grath, the father of Annie McGrath, on
account of whose mysterious death S. P.
Langdon, the capitalist; with whom she
had been living. has been placed under ar-
rest, says that he is certain that his daugh-
ter was murdered, and that he proposes to
prosecute the case to the end.

“I believe that my daughter was most
foully murdered,” he said. “ Up’ to this
time I have not made this declaration, but
I am now convinced of its truth. I am
positive that it was done out of jealousy
of Howard Fitzsimmons, who, it was said,
was engaged to marry Annie. It is my be-
lief that they were engaged, but I think
that the engagement was broken.

“To the best of my knowledge, Lang-
don was so much infatuated with Annie
that he himself proposed to her.

“It is unreasonable .to suppose that a
girl of the temperament of Annie would
think of committing suicide. Why, do you
know that for a week or more previous to

 

SAMUEL P. LANGDON.

her death she was constantly employed in
making dresses for herself for Eastertide?
She looked forward to Easter with much
pleasure. It is not possible that a young
girl full of happy thoughts of Easter would
think of committing suicide.”

Howard Fitzsimmons of West Chester,
the man who was engaged to marry An-
nie McGrath, came to Philadelphia. His
story of. the engagement. as given to the
police, is as follows: *

“I first met Miss McGrath while spend-
ing a few days at Atlantic City last sum-
mer. Our friendship continued, and I
afterward visited her frequently at her
home on Gratz street. She, howaver,
broke several appointments with me, and
I ceased paying attention to her several
months ago. Upon one occasion she made
an engagement with me for a Sunday even-
ing, and when I went to her house I found
that she had gone to Jersey City, ostensi-
bly to visit her sister.

Thought Be “'as Duped.

“At that time I began to suspect that
she was duping me and was away with
another man. She afterward wrote me,
telling of the pleasures of the visit and
wishing that I had been there. I have the
letters yet. Shortly afterward I ceased
my visits and have not seen her since. In
my estimation Miss McGrath was a per-
fect lady, so far as I know, and she always
conducted herself properly when in my
presence. Her family are very respectable
folks, and I was greatly shocked upon
learning her fate.”

He stated that the ring found upon her
finger bearing the inscription “H. F.——A.
M.” had been presented to Miss McGrath
by him some time ago, and that this led
to his identification with the case.

His last visit to Miss McGrath’s home
was in the month of November. She made
an appointment to meet him, but when
he called she was not there, she having
gone‘ away on the preceding night. Her
mother endeavored to explain her daugh-
ter’s absence to Fitzsimmons and expressed
surprise that she had not notified him.

“She may fool you, Mrs. McGrath, but
she will never deceive me again,” re-
marked the disappointed lover as he left
the door.

A few days afterward Mr. Fitzsimmons
received a letter from the girl, expressing
her regret at having disappointed him
and asking that he return on a certain
night.

"I never answered her letter and heard
no more of her until I read of her sad
death,” said Fltzsimmons. “I had learned
that she had been in the habit of going
away from home and spending several
nights, ostensibly with friends, and had
grown rather suspicious of her conduct.
Much as I thought of Annie, I resolved
that she should not make a fool of me
and quietly dropped out of her sight.

“She was always nicely dressed, was a
good 'conversationalist and of a pleasant
disposition. I never knew of her visits to
Langdon’s house on Girard avenue. and
I never inquired into any of her private
aflairs.”

Raines‘ New Ballot Bill.

ALBANY, March 28.—Senator Raines in-
troduced a ballot bill today. He says the
bill will completely change the methods of
conducting elections in New York city and
Brooklyn and will apply the general law
of the state to New York and Brooklyn.
Another change will be the giving to in-
dependent parties a column and a circle,
and a reduction from 20,000 to 10,000 in
the number of votes required to be cast by
a party.

William Plucker Sentenced to Death.

WARSAW, N. Y., March 28.—William
Plucker, who shot and killed Hilas M.
Martin at Arcade, and who was found
guilty of murder in the first degree, has
been sentenced to die in the electric chair
during the week beginning May 10. The
doomed man told the judge that his life
had been falsely sworn away.

Kilburn For Bank Sugerintendent.

ALBANY, March 28.—Governor Morton
sent the nomination of Frank D. Kilburn
to be superintendent of banks to the sen-
ate today, and it was unanimously con-
firmed.
Money For SingSing.

ALBANY, March 28.—Governor Morton
has signed the bill appropriating $75,000
for finishing and equipping the newly
erected buildings at Sing Sing prison.

Advertise in the GAZETTE.

 

 

l

A STATEN ISLAND MYSTERY}

Mrs. Driscoll Ate Mutton Broth, Which,
It Is Declared, Contained Morphine. .
NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y., March 28.—Th&

friends of Mrs. F. O. Driscoll, wife of su-

perintendent of the mail carriers of the

New York postoffice, who lives at West

New Brighton. Were surprised today to

hear of a report that Mrs. Driscoll had

made a- complaint to Justice of the Peace

Acker that an attempt had been made to

poison her. ,

Justice Acker said today that he had

not issued warrants for the arrest of any-.

body in connection with the case, and that
no formal complaint had been made to
him by Mrs. Driscoll. The justice admit-
ted, however. that Mrs. Driscoll called at
his office yesterday and had a consultation
With him. He refused to divulge the de-
tails Of the interview, but intimated that
it was regarding Mrs. Driscoll’s domestic
troubles. Justice Acker denied that he
had conferred with District Attorney
Pinney in relation to the case.

Dr. Gray B. Sullivan, who keeps a drug
store at 49 Castleton avenue, West New
Brighton, said today that Mrs. Driscoll
came to his store on Monday afternoon
last with some mutton broth which she
and her 4-year-old daughter May had eat.
en at dinner. She told Dr. Sullivan that
she and the child had become drowsy soon
after partaking of the broth and had been
seized with violent pains in the stomach.
Mrs. Driscoll also said that she suspected
there was poison in the broth, and that
she gave some of it to a pet dog. The dog
died in less than'15 minutes after swal-
lowing the broth.

Dr. Sullivan said that the broth was
sent to Dr. Walter T. Scheele, a_ chemical
expert of New York, and that Dr. Soheele
had reported that he found three—quarters
of a grain of morphine in the broth.

Cambridge-Oxford Athletics.

LONDON, March 28.—The annual con-
test between the Cambridge and Oxford
athletic teams took place at Kensington
this afternoon. Jordan of Oxford won the
hundred yard dash in 10% seconds. The
hurdle race was won by Garnier of Ox-
ford. The mile run was won by Howard
of Cambridge. The long jump was won
by Batchelor of Cambridge, with 22 feet
7 inches.

llIiss Barton Hampered.

LONDON, March 28.—A Constantinople
dispatch to The Daily News says: “The
council of ministers has decided that Miss
Clara Barton can only work in cnnjunc
tion with the local Turkish commissions
in the distribution of relief, and can only
use their lists of destitute Armenians. An
irade to this effect is expected.”

Err-President Harrison’s Wedding.

INDIANAPOLIS, March 28.—Ex-Presidenl
Harrison will leave here on Tuesday next
for New York and will be married to Mrs.
Mary Dimmick on April 6. He will be
accompanied by D. M. Ransdell, ex-
marshal of the D strict of Columbia, who
appears to be the only person in this city
who has received an invitation.

Revivalist Nearly Lynched.

FRESNO, Cal., March 28.-—An attempt
was made to lynch Johnston, the revival-
ist, who a few days ago made sweeping
charges against the morality of Fresno's
young women. Officers rescued him from
an angry mob, and he is now under pro.
tection Of the sheriff. An indignation
meeting is to be held.

Bucket Shops Baided.
CHICAGO, March 28.—Five bucket shops
were raided by detectives from the central
station. As a result, 30 men are now un-

der bonds to appear before Justice Glen- '

non. The specific charge against them is
a violation of chapter 38, section 317, 01
the Illinois statutes—keeping a common
gambling house.

Burned at Her Dock.

LOUISVILLE, March 28,—The steamer
Sam Brown of Pittsburg, valued at $25,-
000, was burned at the foot of Markel
street. The Brown was built at Pittsburg
in 1881, and since her construction had
been in the coal carrying trade between
Pittsburg and the lower Ohio and Mis-
sissippi rivers.

Is This Jack the Strangler?

SAN FRANCISCO, March 28.—Bobcrt M.
Boyd, a sailor, was identified by Rosie
Martin as a man who attempted to choki
her. From the descriptions furnished the
police by many of the strangler’s victims
the police do not believe Boyd to he tht
murderer of May McDermott or Bertha
Paradi's.

Our Star Dryd ock.

PORT ROYAL, S. 0., March 28.-—-Tha
Indiana was safely docked today. There
was an abundance of water in the deck,
the depth measuring nearly 26 feet, while
the Indiana drew but 24 feet. Everything
connected with the docking worked beau-
tifully, and there was not the slightest
mishap.

Look For a Scoundrel.

BALTIMORE, March 28.—-The police am
looking for Frederick Heinrichs. aged 3t
years, who went to the home of his parents
in this city and demanded $300 from
his father. Upon being refused, he shol
his father in the neck and his sister in tho
breast and left temple and escaped.

Abolishing the Color Line.

CHICAGO, March 28.—The Hamilton
club has added the name of a colored mar.
to the list of its members. It is the firsi
of the leading men’s organizations in Chi»
cago to abolish the color line. This specia'.
honor was conferred upon Adelbert H.
Roberts, a lawyer-.4

To Prosecute Dirty Bakers.
ALBANY, March 28.——State Factory In-
spector Connolly announces that he has or-
dered actions to be commenced againsi
three Syracuse bakers for keeping unclear
bakeshops. He declines to give the nameI
of the parties.

Latest From Divorceville.
FARGO, N. D., March 28.—Judge Laud-
er has grant-ed an absolute decree of di-
vorce 'to Harry G. Woodcock from Eliza
Woodcock on the ground of desertion.
Woodcock is a prominent insurance brokei
of Brooklyn.

Fears That a Steamer Has Foundered.

LONDON. March 28.-—-A severe gale
swept over the channel, causing consider-
able damage to shipping, and it is feared
that a large steamer which was in distress
off the Goodwin sands has foun’dered.

Wrecked by a. Wheel.
WARSAW, Ind., March 28,—A wheel
broke and wrecked a train at Shelby, new
here. ’ About 12 cars were wrecked and
piled up together, and one man was man-
gled beyond recognition.

Count Mortera Is Dead.

MADRID, March 28.—Count Mortera,
leader at the Cuban reform party, is dead.

 

Advertise “"2119 GAZETTE.

 

IIIIIBIWBELU‘ON_.

The Outbreak Is More Serious Than
Wasat First Reported.

SETTLERS FLOCK TO TOWNS.

Re-enforcements of Mounted Police Sent
to Bulawayo—Many “’hites Reported
Slain—A Patrol Repulsed by
Determined Natives.

CAPE TOWN, March Bil—Dispatches re-
ceived from Buluwayo, Matabeleland, to-
day indicate that the uprising in that part
of the colony is much more serious than
the authorities will admit. The telegrams
yesterday merely outlined a revolt of a few
natives in the Inseze and Filabusi districts,
the massacre of some white settlers, in-
cluding Commissary Bentley, and the send
ing of a small force of volunteers to the
scene of the disturbance. Today’s dis-
patches show that the disturbance is wide-
spread. An uprising of the natives has
taken place, and the revolt is likely to
spread to other parts of South Africa. The
settlers in Matebeleland are flocking into
the towns, and the latter are being placed
in a state for defense. Volunteers are en-
rolling everywhere, ahd all necessary steps
are being taken to meet serious develop-
ments.

Re-enforoements of mounted police have
been sent to Buluwayo, Inseze and Gam-
bo, and the Cape ,Rifles have received or-
ders to prepare for active service. Supplies
of ammunition for the maxim guns are
being hurried to Buluwayo, and all the
horses of the disturbed territory have been
commanded by Colonel Napier, who is in
charge of the government forces. The na-v
tives are raiding farms and killing white
settlers in the Matapo hills district, 'and it
is reported that more than 50 persons have
been slain.

Frederick C. Selous, the explorer who
distinguished himself during the Matabele
war, has been driven from his farm and
has sought safety at Buluwayo. . He
brought in with him three indunas whom
he had arrested as a matter of precaution,
and asked that they be held prisoners un-
til the cattle from the Selous estate, raided
by the natives, are restored. In the mean-
while he is enrolling volunteers and will
soon start for the front at the head of a.
strong force. In an interview he is quoted
as saying that the authorities must act
quickly and effectively, otherwise the re-
volt will spread in all directions and the
government will experience great difificulty
in restoring order. ,

A patrol of mounted police, which was
sent out from Buluwayo, had a sharp en-
gagement with the native-1. and, although
the official report says that the troopers
“retired in good order,” unofficial advices
have it that the patrol lost several men
killed. had a number of men wounded
and beat a heavy retreat, closely pursued
by the Matabeles. A small detachment of
volunteers, which also pushed forward
yesterday to protect the endangered set-
tlers, has been compelled to halt and is
now occupying a fortified position about
25 miles Irom Buluwayo while awaiting
the re-enlurcements under Selou's. There
are plenty of volunteers, but the horses
necessary to mount them and the arms,
ammunition and supplies necessary to
equip them are not forthcoming as
promptly as desired.

Authorities Unprepared.

The authorities, indeed, have been
caught unprepared for the outbreak, and
the usual detachments of mounted police
have been drawn upon in order to provide
troopers for service elsewhere.

The Opinion is expressed here that the
outbreak is one of the outOOmes of-the
Jameson raid and the defeat inflicted by
the Boers upon the British. The news has
spread far and wide in greatly exaggerated
forms, and, coupled with the arming of
the Boers of the Transvaal and of the
Orange Free State and the departure of
Boers from other parts of South Africa
into the two republics, has excited the na-
tives, who are led to believe that the
British are to be driven out of South
Africa. The Transvaal and the Orange
Free State are making common cause
against Great Britain, in which they are
secretly encouraged by German agents.

The Boers are daily becoming more de-
fiant, and for question of demanding a
a large indemity from Great Britain as a
result of the Jameson raid is openly dis-
cussed, with conflscation of the property
of the uitlanders who took part in the
demonstration against the government of
the Transvaal, in case the indemnity is
refused. The trial of the members ofthe
reform committee of Johannesburg has
shown that the uitlanders had carefully
paved the way for an attempt to overthrow
the government. Arms and ammunition,
rifles and maxim guns had been smuggled
into the Transvaal by wholesale, labeled
“Machinery” or “Hardware,” supposed
to be intended for use in the mines.

Numbers of Germans are flocking into
the republic, and it is currently reported
that German army officers “on leave” are
supervising the construction of forts at
Pretoria and drilling the Boer artillery,
armed with krupp guns recently imported
from Germany.

The report that Great Britain has pur-
chased Delagoa Bay from Portugal has re-
peatedly been circulated here and has as
Often been denied, but in official circles it
is understood that if an emergency arises
it will be seen that Great Britain has for
some time occupied a stronger position in

that connection than has generally been l

believed. The British naval force at Del-
agoa Bay far outnumbers the other for—
eign forces combined.

Great Britain undoubtedly intends to
maintain her protectorate over the Trans;
vaal, the Boers are determined to declare
their complete independence. and the war
preparations at Pretoria are the prelimi-
nary steps toward this declaration.

Bobinson’s Dispatch.

LONDON, March 28.—-The governor of
Cape Colony, Sir Hercules Robinson, tele-
graphs under yesterday’s date that a cou-
rier from the Shangani district has arrived
at Buluwayo and reports that seven whites
in that part of the country have been kill-
ed or wounded and that four others are
missing. The remaining whites of the dis-
trict have fled from their farms and are
encamped in two places, 20 miles apart.
The natives of Shangani, the governor
telegraphed, left their kraal and had a
powwow at Jingen yesterday. It Was said
that a prominent witch doctor was the in-
stigator of the rising. ‘

The Sudan Expedition.

CAIRO, March 28.—The Egyptian debt
commission has paid the first installment
frOm the reserve fund, amounting to
£200,000 ($1,000,000), of the money re-
quired for the expenses .of the British.
Egyptian expedition up the Nile.

 

 

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OPENING DAYS OFW

ladies’ and children’s Jackets. capes" and Millinely.

0n Salurday we shall lhrow open our Suil Room lhal we have enlarged, embel-
lished and decorated. The ceiling we have enamelcd'in while, and on the floor we
have pul a beautiful velvcl axminslcr, and everylhing is now in keeping with our rich
lines of Ladies’ and children’s Suils, Jackets, tapes, Scparalc Skirls. and Ladies’.
Shirl Waisls, making lhis deparlmcnl lIIc largesl Soil and cloak Room belwccn New
York and Boslon. You are cordially invilcd lo allend lhis opening, SiTIlllllll, Mill-

on and rum“.
DRESS GOODS

It seems to us that every lady is haying a new
Spring Cown of us. Well, our prices are right and

they know it.

l0 pieces Silk Warp Irridescent, $l.00 quality,

for 750.

8 pieces New Novelties, 750 quality for 500.

3 pieces only, Silk Warp Black Henrietta, the SI
quality for 69c per yard. One dress to customer.

2 pieces only, Black Silk Warp Henrietta, the
9.5 I .50 quality for S I .00. One dress to a customer.

5 pieces Black and Navy Traveletta, for Bicycle
Suits, warranted rain-proof, 59c per yard.

I0 pieces Light and Dark Novelties, 50c quality,

39c.

l0 pieces Hair Cloth, the 50c quality, 370.

LACE CURTAINS

______/

 

 

 

We have'removed this departrrient to the first floor, and in order to let you
know where it is we shall offer some Low Prices. ' ‘

3 l-2 yards Long Nett Lace Curtains, $l.00, for 69c.

5 doz. Nottingham Lace for 98c.

BllSlllN SlllllE. cm. Main and Wall 88.

 

Irish Point Lace Curtains, $3.50.

 

A POINTER...

Is your plate glass or safe insured? If’ not, call on me and

i

I will write you a policy in the Mutual Plate Glass and Safe Insur-

ance Company. Glass will break and burglars use dynamite. ‘ _

 

n Case of Fire

You should be insured. A policy in the Reliance of Philadelphia

Phoenix .of Hartford; Scotland Union of Scotland; New Hampshire of

’ Manchester; Rochester German of Rochester; United States and Pacific

of New York; Security of New Hampshire or Granite State of Ports-V

mouth will protect you against thr- lire fiend.

W. is. BYINGTQN.

,Real Estate and General Insurance,

ROOM 1. GAZETTE BUILDING

LOANS NEGOTIATED AND INVESTMENTS MADE.

, —_————— CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED

 

 

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