The New York herald., 1872-11-10
THEORY OF THE ASSASSINATION
Ellis Visits Alley at His Stable by Night
and is Killed During an Alteration.
The Body Hacked to Pieces and
Packed in Barrels.
THE ALLEGED MURDERER.
He is Committed to Await the Result Of
the Ooroners Inquest.

BOSTON. Nov. 0, 1872.
The mystery surrounding the latest Boston hor.
ror, wherein the body OF man chopped in pieces
was found packed in two barrels and floating in
Charles River, has been solved at last. The
murdered man was Abijah Ellis, well
known speculator, and the alleged MUIR
derer, who was arrested this afternoon,
is Leavitt Alley, o teamster on Washington
street. He is over fifty years of age. Within
the casks was large quantity OF shavngs and
horse manure; the shavings were OF a character
similar TO those which are used In the manufac-
ture of billiard tables, and the manure seemed to
evidence that the crime was committed In stable,
and that the shavngs had been procured for the
purpose OF bedding down the horses.
THE FIRST CLUE DISCOVERED
Further search revealed the presence Of billiard
pocket, much out OF repair, and tattered piece
OF coarse brown wrapping paper, lettered in mark
ing ink, IN. Schouler, 1,049 Washington
street." Putting this and that together,
the officers visited the establishment Of Mr..
Schouler, and learned that he had in his employ q
teamster named Leavitt Alley, who had been IN the
habit of cartiug away the shavings from the estab
lishment for use at his stable. Mr.. Alley was
at once placed under the surveillance OF the police.
BLOOD SPOTS IN THE STABLE.
Thus matters stood until last night, when visit
was made to the stable occupied by Mr.. Alley, ON
Zimmerman street, and a rigid investigation was
commenced. With dark lantern In hand the
officers explored every nook and corner OF the
north side startling discovery was made
The side OF the building for space
extending about four feet IN length, and fully that
distance frOm the nOor up was found to be Spat-
tered with blood. Near the floor the plots were
large, growing smaller as they went upwards
body. On one Of the posts was large
clot OF gore, perhaps as large as the end OF
mans thumb, which had dried on the wood:
in the locality. The blood was taken to q chemist
and analyzed, proving conclusvely that 1t came
from human body. Alleys clothes have been ex-
amined and show large blood stains, which fact,
taken in connection with the Others leave no rea-
sonable doubt OF guilt.
THEORY OF THE HORRIBLE CRIME.
Igive the theory OF the crime, which seems now
well established.
latter had been owing money for some time. The
delay In payment vexed Mr.. Ellis greatly, and he
Monday last he publicly announced his intention to
get the money as soon as possible. He was seen dur
Ing Tuesday, and for the last time alive at halpast
Street Street in the direction Of Alleys house The pre-
sumption is that while on his way he remembered
that that was about the usual hour for Mr..
changed his course towards the stable. Find
ing. Alley there also Mr.. Ellis probably
spo to him harshly concerning the matter
and an alteration ensued, resulting In the murder
Alley then, it Is presumed unassisted chopped the
This is the theory now most In vogue, and it seems
reasonable to believe no more convincing chain OF
circumstantial evidence could be gotten together
at such short notice. tor all seems TO point con-
clusively to the guilty man.
AT THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY.
A visit to the stable where the crime was uIfs
doubtedly committed revealed shocking state Of
affairs. II for no other crime, Alley could certainly
be convicted OF cruelty to animals for keeping his
as II 1T could hardly stand light
breeze: 1t is built Of old boards without
are In some cases two inches apart. The wind
whistles through these crevices, and there must
have been no little suffering occasioned by such
away at their managers this morning, look
ing as Il they had never been half fed,
and exhibiting strong proofs that the wood
OF their managers had been their only sustenance
to-day. They whimpered sorrowluy, as II half con-
a% IN H a
looks at the few visitors who were
allowed to gain admttance. The stable floor was
seemed as IL IL were on its last legs. The manure
heap was raked over again this morning, and 1t is
SMALL PIECES or FLESH
| were found near the spot where the murder was
committed.
! The alleged murderer, Leavtt Alley, is a large,
| thick-set man, Of medium height and stout. His
head is partially bald like that Of the man who s
supposed to be his victim, and he wears long
been died black, although originally OF a
gray color: As he sat IN the office OF the
| tenance bore appearance OF imperturbabAity,
although at times he hid his face in his hands
| and seemed deeply moved Nothing in his de-
meanor, however seemed to indicate that he was
guilty OF the dreadful crime with which he Is
charged. He remained quietly IN his chair, but
conversed with nobody except the officers, and
with them only to a slight degree.
LEAvITT ALLEY COMMITTED.
Alley was fully committed this afternoon to await
the result of the inquest into the death OF Abjah
Ellis. Barrett the other suspected party, had no
connection with the murder. Alley had recently
moved into a house he had purchased OF Ellis and
owed the latter money overdue, which Is probably
one OF the motives OF the murder. Alley reserves
a dogged silence.