The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-20
The MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
darkness Still Hanging Over the Tragedy
in the Eighth Ward.

The cloud Of uncertainty that hung around the
murder discovered In the Eighth ward on Satur-
day last has not yet been penetrated by the police.
All theory as to the probable cause OF the deed
and the manner OF its committal is still specu-
lative, and at present would seem likely to
remain so. That jealousy prompted the act is
more than probable, taking oil the circum-
stances into consideration; but even on that point
the police have as yet not been able to throw any
light. Here IL q case in which well known and
desperate ruffan murders one OF three women
whom he was living with, and is able to settle up
pretty comfortably everything on his premises and
make his escape before the police can lay hands
upon him. To be sure, he may be dead. Some Of
the people In the neghbOrhOod say he is and the
police can't find him pretty soon they will most
certainly confirm the story and endeavor to bury
his memory as soon as possible This sort OF thing
won't do for the people. They win demand
MORE PROMPT AND THOROUGH
execution OF duty, and tas excuse, .;iie can't be
found,n win not prove SUFFICIENT to crafty
the public sense of justice; q course, the
usual amount OF bombastic nonsense and
mysterious movements are In force. To any ques-
ton asked. the answer comes, ''Oh we're sure to
catch him to-day;" such o one is doing so ana SO,
and some one else Is doing something in another
direction. Time wears on and experience proves
these ponderous EFFORTS end in smoke. The police
say they are on the track OF Jackson Very likely
they are-on some sidewalk he passed over year
ago-b the people who lived near him in 'Nigger
alleyn say he has left the city. Jackson is man
Of huge stature, and certainly remarkable. He
lived at 57H Thompson street. with three aban-
dOned white women one OF whom ne has murdered.
The unfortunate creature was called Mary Jane
Sullivan. and sometimes McDermott On Friday
last these two went to a negro dance house,
kept BY one William Sarvant, at No. 40
Sullivan street. It is supposed they lett there at
some time after twelve, but the exact moment OF
their departure cannot be ascertained and they
were not seen again until two O'Clock in the morn
ing. They were then met by Alfred Wilks, who says
he saw Jackson beating the woman Sullivan at the
corner oil Broome and Sullivan streets, ana this Is
about the last authentic appearance OF Jackson.
At seven O'Clock the following morning the bar
rear OF the yard and saw the floor was covered
with blood Upon examining the place he found
an open razor lying on the floor. On one side OF
the handle was printed in gilt letters, the words
"OLD ENGLISH RAzORo
Just about the same time the body Of the woman
sullivan was discovered IN the bed in Thompson
street by negro who went there to borrow
whitewash brush He gave intelligence OF what he
to the police at the time. This negro went into
the room and saw the body Ia the bed covered with
blankets. The other two women, Kate McCready
and Lettie Armstrong, were sleeping OFT drunk in
an adjoining room, and have since declared they
know nothing OF the murder. Now whether these
women tell the truth or not time alone can prove,
but by trying to connect the blood found in Sullivan
street with The murder In Thompson street the
utrtN
a second crime from their shoulders. There is no
seeming connection whatever In the two things,
and in seeking TO bind them together the police are
shine on the other tragedy. This was a mistake at
the outset, ana It has unfortunately led to several
others. On Sunday some one told Detective Muller,
OF the Eighth precinct, that jackson was seen in an
alley in West Thirty third street. ana that he had
that institution 5000 he had deposited in it, Intel
hgence OF that kind coming at such moment gave
the police rest, and they good-naturediy took adj
GRAND spLuRGE
was made at the telegraphie instruments, but tina
ing. The general alarm sent out among the force
on Saturday night was only paid attention to in
himself in one OF the other wards Of the city with
out lear OF being disturbed by the police. Captain
MS aSSs. the ,s for in n sSs IA and int
Eighth ward would never have made any
thing out Of the case. He has detailed
Elder to scour the town and find the negro. These
are are capable men and experienced Officers,
at the first intmaton q its occurrence
captain sat IN xsry apsr
ment, on the reception room OF the station house.
SSs TO
HERALD, but the sergeant on duty denied him,
the drums OF his ears. Jackson win never be dis
covered In this way, and the Intervention of the
uetectlveS Is mOsL OppOrtune; lOr they Will
assuredly prevent this from being OF the cases
that could not be unravelled by the authorities
and that will he handed down to coming genera
tons as mysteri0us'murders
EXAMINATION OF TIE BLOOD.
The Deputy Coroner has Analysed O sample
or the blood found on the moor or the Outbuild-
Ing connected with the negro dance house, on
saturday morning. and is satisfied that 1t Is the
blood OF human being, and not that OF q sheep
or otner brute as was suggested might have been
the case. He believes the blood to have come
from an artery or arteries cut by the razor which
was found lying In the pool, though he does not
consider 1t impossible for 1t to have been vomited
up by some person attacked by great hem
orrhage OF the lungs. While he does not
deem 1t an absolute mpossbility for person under
certain circumstances to walk away after losing
SO much blood, he deems such proceeding as
highly improbable In this case. He Is positive that
It did not come from the victim OF the brutal negro
Jackson, and surmises, IN common with Coroner
Herman, that the person from whom II came was
either murdered and spirited away to conceal the
crime or else that the unknown victim committed
suicide and was secretly buried by some person or
persons who, having found the body, may have
feared charge OF completely. Coroner Herman
has not yet liked a day Tor holding the inquest on
the body OF the murdered mistress OF Jackson but
he Is still awaiting the arrest Of the fugitive while
endeayoring to trace any connection which NAV
exist between the known crime and the I'M
fatlOmeu mystery.