The New York herald., 1874-02-24
NEW CANAAN HORROR,
Who Murdered Mrs. Sarah Selleck?-New
Light Obtained rs to the Perpctra-
tor.

Who Murdered Mrs. Sarah Selleck!-New
Light Obtained rs to the Perpctra-
tor.
NEW CANAAN, Conn.,, Feb. %, 1874.
The greatest excitement prevails in this usually
quiet village-nothng like it having occurred be-
fore or since the brutal murder OF Mrs. Sarah Sell
lecK and the burning Of her body, on the night Of
November Is. 1873. Since the trial of George Hal
lock as the alleged murderer, his two trials and
final discharge from custody the authorities have
been vlgilantly at work endeavoring to and some
new cew to one OF the most atrOcious
crimes known to the records. The reward
OF $4,000 offered by the State for the arrest
OF the perpetratOr dead or alive, and the sums
offered by the town and Masonic lodge, have in
duced detectives to be on the alert everywhere; (;
and now, by the arrest on suspicion OF Henry Willis
at Sandy Hook, in the town OF Newtown, Conn.,,
and the chain Of circumstances which point to him
the man who did the deed, the town is, as have
stated, ag1tated anew.
Willis was confined in the jail at Danbury over
Sunday, and was brought here Tor trial this morn
ing. At ten O'CLOCK the hour appointed for
the investigation to begin, fully l,5oo people,
mostly farmers and their sons, had gathered
in the village. 1t was twelve O'Clock before
counsel were ready to proceed. At that hour the
doors Of the little Town Hall were thrown open,
and in less than ten minutes more than 1000 per-
sons by actual count rushed into .he building to
catch sight OF the murderer, real or alleged. JUS
tice Joseph Silliman presided, Mr.. Samuel Fessen-
den OF stamford, appearing on the part OF the
State, and James A. Wilson, Of Eewtown, and Ed
win Scoheld OF stamford, for the prisoner. Willis
is man about thirty years OF age, slight buiit,
pale, smooth face, and carries q decidedly
suspicious look. As he appeared on the
scene. manacled and In company with the
Sheri1. great commotion followed. Several wit
nesses were examined on the part OF the State,
the evidence elected being Of q character SUM-
cient, as Is thought, to bind the prisoner over to
the superior Court for trial.
Among the more important facts ELECTED by the
trial thus far to-day are that Willis at one time
kept saloon In stamford, in building owned by
the murdered lady, and had been somewhat inti-
mate with her family. His absence from home,
identical with the date Of the murder; the dlscov-
cry OF gold watch said to correspond exactly
ters, the. purport OF which is yet TO be
stances which the prisoner will have
difficulty In satisfactorily explaining. Willis
was formerly employed as a butcher by Mr. Minott
Augur, OF Newtown, and has also been a brakeman
on the New York. New Haven and Hartford Rail-
road, boarding in stamford. He bears the charac.
ter there OF being vicious and quarrelsome per-
son. The investigation has occupied the entre
afternoon and will continue during tomorrow, and
will no doubt result as has been stated, In binding
the prisoner over for trial.
The arrest took place in Sandy Hook last Tues
day. Willis Is well known there, and the eVent
threw that village into temporary excitement. IL
Is expected that damaging evidence against the
accused VIII come from that quarter.