The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-09-05
The New York Trunk Tragedy.

In this now dismally celebrated case
the horrible episodes follow with fright
full rapidity. At every shifting of the
scenes some new and startling incident
presents itself, which rivals the most
complicated plot of sensational fiction.
Alice Bowlsby. the victim OF Rosen'
wig identified, the public Is now called
upon to contemplate the sequel in the
shape OF the suicide OF a young man,
Walter F. Conklin, OF Paterson, n. j.,
an acquaintance OF the Bowlshy family
and Of the murdered girl, and one who,
it is strongly suspected, was directly
implicated, from first to last, in the
cause and manner Of her death, at the
hands Of Rosenwig. &c
Conklin was a young mahCf agreea-
ble manners and appearance, about
twenty-five years OF age, and was en-
ployed as stock clerk and time-keeper
in the Dale Silk Mills, in Paterson.
He was born in that town, and at the
age of nineteen years went to Russia,
where he was employed As freight c.erk
on the Winans railroad, between Mos.
COW and St. Petersburg. In 1869, he
returned to this country, and a few
months afterwards obtained employ
ment in the Dale silk mills, at Pater.
erson. Some time after that, among
other acquaintance made by him, he
became acquainted with the family Of
Mrs. Bowlsby, who lives in Paterson
and keeps dress making establish.
ment. Mrs. Bowlsby had three daugh.
,er-, Carrie, Addie, and Alice
Augusta, (the last the murdered
GRID all pretty and attractive. and
with a large circle OF male ac-
auain,ances. ConkIin's attentions to
Miss Alice BowIsby led many OF their
mutual acquaintances to believe, during
her lifetime, that he was conrting her,
and, after her death, that he was impli-
Gated in her death Upon the fact Of
the Identification OF the body OF Alice
Bowlsby becoming known in Paterson.
public opinion AT once pointed - Conk-
lin as being responsible; but although
several Of his friends spoke to him on
the subject, he denied all completely in
the matter, remarking, however, TO one
of his interlocutors that he was sorry
he had ever visited the Bowlsbys, as he
supposed he would be called az wit
ness in the case, adding that lie was
willing TO face the music.
At I o'clock on Thursday morning
he went to the mill as usual. He was
observed reading the New York papers.
which contained the account OF the
Identification Of Alice Bowlsby's body.
The perusal seemed to depress him.
Afterwards he attended to his duties
about the mill. At about 1915, on the
return OF the hands to the mill from din
ncr, a young woman employed in the
factory saw Conklin lying upon the floor
motionless, near the entrance to the
silk vault, which is in the rear Of the
office. Her attention had first been at
tracted, while passing, to the unfortu-
nate mans groans. She hastily gave
the alarm. Assistance came. and Conk-
lin was taken into a room back Of the
office, and the doctor was summoned,
while word was sent TO his father, who
is an Alderman OF Paterson, and to his
brother. On examination it was found
that Conklin had shot himself just back
of the lett ear, the weapon used being a
revolver. Without any recognition oI
those present. and without speaking a
single word after having been found, he
expired at about 25 minutes TO o'clock
A note to this effect was found 10 hi;
coat pocket:
81 have long had a morbid idea oftht
worthlessness Of life, and now to b
Obliged to testify in this affair and cause
unpleasantness in my family is more
than life is worth.
Good bye, dear father. mother
brother and sister. WALL"
The brother OF the suicide is said u
have tacitly admitted that the latte
was intimate with Alice Bowlsby. A
ooroners inquest brought out no ne'