The New York herald., 1874-07-10
THE STORY OF A SHIRT
Who Murdered Benjamin Ma
than7--The Latest CleW.
Startling Theories by the
Detectives.
Forester, Ellis and Kelly Again at the Prcnt-
The Old Story Revived.

The startling theories advanced regarding the
latest clew to the murderer or Benjamin Nathan
and the universal interest with which these devel
opments are received show plainly that the people
OF New York have not allowed the story OF this ter
role affair to be forgotten. This fact is evidenced
very strongly by the TACT OF universal reawaken-
ing Of anxiety on the part OF the po-
lice and hope on the part Of our citizens.
Small and trivial as Is the circumstance
in itself which calls forth this new clamor for JUS
tce to the murderer there Is every reason to hope
that some results will come from the renewed
agitation OF this terrible mystery. The story OF
that dark nights work, the horrible scene which
the daylight revealed and the efforts which since
that time have been made to bring the MUIR
durer or murderers to justice Will be found
In an adjoining column. This narrative, although
familiar in the main, will be found to contain many
facts which, viewed in the light Of the most recent
discovery suggests many new and strangely
startling ideas regarding this "dead secret"
Those who cling with the tenacIty of faith in the
Almighty to the hope that terrible CRIME like
this may not 60 down to history unsolved hail any
and all new facts or theories which tend even
in the slightest degree to make clear mystery
which is impenetrable. The entire interest In re-
laton to the nightshirt covered with blood found
on the Nathan premises centres In the disclosures
to be made by the Coroner and undertaken. They
can disslpate every shadow Of this cIew or they
can render it Of the most vital Importance.
In the latter case the theory of Detective
Farley may be clear headed solution OF the mys-
terry, although 1t is due to him to say tnat he
now offers it only as the merest conception of
"what might have BEEN" TO account Tor the
mysterious appearance Of this boodstained gar
ment in public part Of the coach house, where 1t
cannot have lain long, will be the first work as
well as duty Of the police Only when this is done
will the Importance due to this discovery be iully
known. 1t may be an important link in the chain
or it may be only q commonplace circumstance.
AWAITING THE VERDICT ON THE SHIRT.
The exclusive report published In the HERALD
regarding the discovery OF bloody nigntshirt on
the premises Of the ifated Nathan mansion, on
Twenty third street, excited universal comment
throughout the city yesterday. The incident,
naturally enough, was calculated to revive the
recollection OF the horrible and mysterious crime
committed in the residence some years ago, and
the public were more or less anxious in antlcipa-
tiOn OF some new revelations which 1t was thought
probable might be disclosed at this time. There
were many old and many new theories advanced
with regard to the murder, and, while many
doubted the probability ever OF finding new clew
to the crime. in SO far as the blooo stained shirt
related to it, there were not q few,
on the other hand who freely expressed their
belief that a trail had been found at
last which, If followed up, would lead to
important developments. Hundreds OF persons
were drawn out OF curiosity TO the Nathan man
sion during the day, and asked TO see the blood
stained garment which they had heard spoken Of
on all sides; but here few were gratifed in this
respect. The police had been advised Of
the discovery at sunrise, and bad taken
the precaution to despatch one Of their
most trusty agents from Headquarters on
Mulberry street to fnd and to take the obj ect
OF so much interest in charge and to deposit it In
safer quarters. 1t is not surprising That the work
men employed IN reconstructing the Nathan man.
sion were continually Interrupted during the day
by callers, who were anxious to hear something OF
the bloody shirt and freely speculasea upon the
mysteries connected with 1t.
PLAN OF THE CARRIAGE HOUSE.