New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-08
MURDER OF A FELLOW-SERVANE

A TRAGEDY AT A NEW-JERsEY COUNTRY-sEAT-
THE ASSASSIN ARRESTED.
Elijah F. Clark, an importer, OF No. $50 Broad
way engaged at his residence at Cresk N j., John W.
Avery, on June %, for farm work The new servant
quarreed with Jacob Erb, the coachman and behaved
80 badly that Mr. Clark dismissed him Feb l. Avery
believed that Erb had caused his dismissal and uttered
threats against the cOachman. He returned TO No lab
in this city, and remained for few days,
occasionally going out in the afternoon or evening" On
Monday night left home and did not return until 10
a. M, Tuesday, assigning frivolous excuses for his abb
sence.
On Tuesday morning Erb's wife. after keeping break
fast for him. asked servant to to the barn and
what detained her husband When the girl entered the
stable she the floor with his thead resting
upon the wndOw-sill, which Is only few inches above
the floor. Blood was streaming from CHASTITY wound
in the forehead Mortified at the sight, the girl back
to the house to tell the story and Mr. Clark and others
buried barn. removed Erb to the house. and sent
for surgeon They supposed, from the appearance OF
the wound, that Erb had been kicked by one Of
the horses. The injured partially con-
scious when first found, but was unable TO
speak Dr. Hardy examined the wound and said that it
had been inflicted with blunt instrument, and could
not have been produced by the hoor Of horse. The
murdered died IN four or five hours without having
been able TO describe his assailant The weapon with
IL was a rod Of iron 80 inches in length and
inch in thickness 1t was rod for picketng horses and
one had previously in the barn, also found. 1t
was conectured that the assassin had brought the club
with him. but finding the picket rod had used IL from
preference. The victims silver watch, an Odfashioned
tmepece little value, had been stolen rom him.
Suspicion fell ut once upon Avery. W. H. Hills, for
mery detective Of the Ninth Precinct Police OF this city,
and now Marshal OF the EngewoOd Protective Society
took charge Of the From the conductor OF the
morning way train, stopping at Creskill Marshal Hills
learned that answering the description OF Avery
had got that station and gone to Jersey City.
Capt McDermOtt Of the Eighth Precinct Police placed
Detective Dunno at the disposal OF the Marshal They
watched the house in Th0mpson-st., during Tuesday
night, and about q. yesterday arrested Avery.
ON the way the WOosterst PoicestatiOn the pris-
oner unobserved he thought. dropped small paper
him picked up the card which proved TO be a pawn
ticket for a watch. given by Morris Levy, pawnbroker,
nj No rs Grandst. The prisoner was searched at the
house, and in his vespocket was found an old
fashioned watch swivel. He temporarily COM
mitted to a cell. Tho officers then proceeded To Levy's
pawn-ofiice and procured the watch. Mr. Clark was
shown the watch and swivel, and was quite
positive that they had belonged TO the deceased.
Mrs Erb and others in Mr.. Carks residence can
positively identify them. Avery was taken before
Superintendent Keso at Police Headquarters and on
being told that It would be only necessary TO procure
reausition from Gov. Parker to remove him to New
Jersey trial. he expressed his willingness 10 go with
the officer. Marshal Hill accordingly conveyed him TO
Jersey City.
Avery Is aged about % years has borne good charac
ter honesty and sObrety and so far es s KNOWN DID
not associate with criminals In this city, Revenge APP
parently prompted his crime. His sepfather, Mr.. Lv-
ingsfOn with whom he lived in Thompson-st has been
employed for long time porter in Mr. Carks store.