The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-06
A MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
THE STARTLING STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS
REVELATIONS AS TO THE UNAccoUNTABLE
DEATH OF A MTNERALoGIsr-THE ALLEGED
MURDERER ARRESTED.


PORTLAND, Pa, Nov S, 1875
Some seven years ago there 20 this place a man
who took mp his residence the village hotel for
some weeks spent his time In prospecting among the
mountains for evidences OF minerals He was a man OF
about forty years OF age and extraordinarily rotcent
that nothing ever known OF his personal history
He seemed 10 be well provided with funds, and
habitually carried considerable money with him
in his excursions often rcmarking that II safer
with him than would be lef behind in the hotel One
day in September the stranger went usual but
never returned and nothing ever heard of him
aftcrward In the following December, however, the
remains OF a found in the woods below here
opposite Delaware Station, small village the Della
ware and Lackawanna Railroad, the New
Jersey side OF the river. The remains
could not be identified, but It believed that
they were those or the missing mineralogst There
we're several holes the skull which pronounced
BY physicians to have been made with bullets but a
thorough investigation made by Deputy Coroner Pear
son developed nothing which threw the slightest light
on the mystery. The jury unanimous the
opinion however that The had been robbed and
dcred and returned verdict to that effect The remains
were buried and the mysterious affair soon forgot
ten But singular Developments or the past
days havo again brought II into prominence, and tho
arrest OF 4 man TO whom circumstances point the
probable murderer Of the person whose were
found seven years ago has been effected Tho arrest
was brought about by the story OF young man who
claims have been eye witness Of the tragedy in
\ the woods, and who swears that the man arrested
struck the fatal blow.
TIM REiArER or THE STORY
The young who has startled the community
with this story i farm hand, ~ the name Of William
Henry. He makes affidavit to his statement which is
substantially as folows;
wHAr WILLIAM HENRY SAYS
He at the time % the alleged murder fourteen
years Of age, and was on his way 70 an nncle's who
Il lived at Delaware station. While walking along the
road he was met ~ man named Martin
Broad, who lived in Portland that time
Broad was In buck board wagon, driving
a gray horse lie stopped the road and in
vcd Young Henry to 70 10 Belyderc with him Tho
boy glad 10 have ride got into the wagon AMI accom-
panied Broad 20 the latter place They lott Bevidcrc
ia the afternoon and Gro sed the Delaware River at
HaZetts terry and took the road the Pennsylvania
side Of tho river Tor Portland. II quite DARK when
they reached Tie woods on the mountain oppo-
through the woods they man com.
ing along the road, carrying lantern Broad
stopped his horse and moment az II discussing
something " his mind. and thea quickly handed the
reins 20 Henry and Jumped from the wagon. The man
with the lantern WIS nearly even with the wagon by
this time and was turning out ~ the road % pass by
when Broad seized hold ~ him ana struggle at once
cnsucd between The two men. The stranger called
once for help, aud The struggle winch was
short the lantern threw lis light On his face Tho
boy did not know tic man. bat the DESCRIPTION he
Is able to give 81 him many believe Il was HE strange
boarder Of tho village tavern Broad struck the man
several times On the head. The lantern vent out aud
the man sunk 20 the ground With groan. II VAS now
70 dark thar Henry could scarcely rec Broad but he
heard him walk ~ into the wouls and shortly after
ward returned 10 the wagon and drove on. He was
trembling violently and Henry was So frightened that
he could not say word.
After time bad passed Broad seemed to recover
control ~ himself and told The hoy that he kccr
quiet about the night lie bal socn and ne would make
VI all right With hin. Henry Broad house IN
this place and remained all night Next morning
Broad rave him pair ~ boots al inducemcu
10 Keep quot
MAS LfvKp
Since The time mentioned by Henry he has lived ir
ii Mo- IgFZ
BROAD moved away from Portland subsequently am
went 10 i've al oxford Furnace, y. ~ where he wal
arrested. year 70 ago Henry working for
farmer named becker 0i Blarstown. y j. While ii
his employ he told him the above story Last Frtdaj
Decker IN this village and The subject brough
| up in some way while In conversation wiu