The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-22

wished me to advance him money upon this watch.
saw that the watch was handsome one and
asked him how much he wanted. He said So.
was astontshed, for I would have given
him $50 as quickly as the small sum he
asked for. Still he said that he simply wanted a
little money, and that the small sum would be sut
fc,ent for all his purposes. gave him the money,
and that ia the last have seen OF him.
There could be no doubt as to the identity OF the
watch for there was the name "rnomas Munce,"
plainly and neatly engraved upon the cap. But
while the mystery opened at one point it deepened
in another; for while the watch was OF foreign
manufacture, its movements inside were Ameri-
can. The old works had been taken OUT new ones
had been substituted in their place. Let any one
reading this ask why this had been done, and let
him conjecture concerning the circumstances
which threw this watch in the hands of him who
pawned it, Did the man who delivered this
watch to Mr.. COwen murder Thomas MUNGER
Was it he who robbed him and led him to
the riverf Or was Thomas Munce neither
murdered or robbed9 There were no marks Of vio-
lence found on his person. The mau who dragged
him shoreward found him standing upon his feet,
fastened firmly in the mud. He had entered the
tide, In one another, when 1t in Its full,
and It's ebb disclosed his bald and hatless head.
GUARD OVER THE PAwNBROKER's SHOP.
At this moment, however, the two detectives had
no grounds whatever for placing the discovery OF
the watch and the finding Of the unrecognized body
in either close or at all sympathetic connection.
There was but one thing, however, to be done, and
they did it, They went to Captain Helms, their
superior oficer and they told him all the circum-
stances, when he with characteristic promptness,
detailed special 0fficer in citizens dress to
watch that pawn shop night and day. The
guardian took his post. This mission was estab-
lished two weeks ago. The writer was present at
the Central Police quarters when the petition to
effect 1t was sent in by Messrs. Mears and Gallo
way, and since that moment he has permitted
nothing to escape his inquiry Until very recent
date the special officer has kept his virgil from
the opening Of the shop In early morning until It's
closing late at night Prior to recent date his
efforts were truly all in vain. Still Captain Helms
kept him there and it is indeed well that he did
SO. Had the arrangements been otherwise the
death Of the old man would have been mystery
still.
TIE MAN WHO PLEDGED THE WATCH IN CUSTODY.
Yesterday to the store OF Alfred COwen came
man-d0zens or men come there every day; but
this man was addressed as one with whose face
the pawnbroker was familiar. 1t was this very
Identical man who had pawned the valuable watch
and who at last had returned to redeem IL. The
officer outside was becKoned in the arrest was
Immediately secured, the culprit was hurried to
Central, and the quarters Of which no in
quisltive genius would under any circumstances
be likely to appear. Once within the power of
police authority, the criminal told the following
remarkable story
RoBBING THE DEAD.
my name is william McEwen. ! am the driver
of the dead wagon carry dead bodies to any
place that am ordered to take them. rode the
Old man from where he was found drowned to the
Morgue. He was not the only one carried that
day. In the same wagon was body much decom-
posed and it was this person that put in box.
The Odor arising from this corpse was dreadful,
though the box was securely closed. carried the
old man outside. The box took up so much room
that there was scarcely any left for the one found
drowned. His head and shoulders were under my
stretched out legs all the way. The wagon was
small and the load was o double one. When ar.
rived at the Morgue lifted the Old man up. AS
did something iell from his pocket, and, stoop-
ing down, l saw watch. / picked it up. said
nothing about 1t. The works had become rusty
from the water, and had them changed at Spring
Garden and Eleventh street. At last pawned
it.n
WHERE ARE THE CHAIN. THE PocKErBooK AND
PAPERSY
Such was the story. Let me analyze 1t closely,
for it bears the most vital relation to all subse-
quent Developments He said the watch fell from
the old mans pocket, but where Is the chainP Why
did he who took the chain not take the watch
ltself 1t is absolutely impossible that the chain
should have been detached from the watch by the
ebbing ana the moving OF the tide. Where is the
old mans pocketbook2 Where are the papers
which gentleman always carries with him, and
which, along with all things else found upon his
person. should have been promptly forwarded 20
the Chief OF the Polce9 How is it that the Coroner
his Deputy brought nothing in from this old man
TO the Central Headquarters, and how can this
story OF McEwen possibly become truef 1t is
known that the unfortunate wore q chain. 1t was
as expensive and elaborate as the watch. Where
is tf The writer saw with his own eyes
the troubled face Of the Deputy Cor
oner yesterday at the ofice Of Captain
Helms. He heard him beg Of1icer Mears to tell him
the story, and he heard that gentleman refuse.
Has there been an illegitimate proceeding here
Has anything been kept secret which should have
been divulged9 The man found in the Schuylkill
carried papers Of little import. Where are they9
All these questions are put when the writer knows
not and in an hour when even the most shrewd
and calculating detective ignorant OF their
rect answers.
THE BODY WAS CARTED TO THE MoRGUE.
While there no one came to vouch for Its identity
From the deadhouse 1t carried to another quar-
ter-whcre9 And here was another mystery to be
fathomed. Runners we're sent out among all the
thoroughares OF the city. At every conceivable
place thorough Investigations were instituted. How
would the lost be identified, even supposing that
his body was foundp
THE DEAD MANS PHOTOGRAPH.
A letter came to Oftcer Mears 1t read =
SIR-Enclosed find picture OF the missing man,
Thomas Munce, which may assist you IN finding
him or his remains. Yours WILLIAM S. MUNCE,
Washington, Washington county, Pa.
Upon receipt OF this the matter frightened up.
The oficers had his portrait 1t was good one.
Its dead substance could readily be recognized.
For long time no clew was found, however, and
the whereabouts OF tile de al man were unknown.
AT last q house at the corner OF Spruce and Ninth
streets was gravely suspected. 1t is one of the
buildings OF the University OF Pennsylvania. Yes.