The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-31
Murder and brutal Mu,iIatinn.

Murder and Brutal MutilattGn.
New YORK, January DIV. a. SIM
mong, for some time past employed in
wagon manufacturing establishment in
Brooklyn, has been missing since Thurs.
day. This evening his head, partly
wrapped in piece of paper, and severed
from the body, was found lying between
lumber pile and fence, in that city.
Physicians say the man was murdered at
least twelve hours previous to the finding
of the head, and that an hour elapsed from
the time of the murder till the head was
severed from the body The police are
looking for the missing body aad the
murderer.
The Detectives BusiIy Working.
NEW YORK, January 30.-The detec-
t,ves are working busily to-day on the
Greenpoint murder case, in which the
head of Willism w. Simmons was found
in the shipyard of John English, on Mil
ton street. From the proximity of the
head to the river, it was thought that
the BODY had been thrown into the
water. Inqulriesswerc made at the places
that Simmons was in the habit of yisitin 2
but no person acknowledged having seen
him since Saturday night. Among those
with whom the murdered man was must
intimate and to whom the officers looked
for the most authentic information was
Victor Kretz, who was known also by
the name of Andrew Fuchs. He was
helper in the same shop as Simmons
and worked by his side and was
also believed TO be an intimate
friend of the deceased. He appeared to
be uneasy under the questioning of the
police, and pretended to speak very poor
English. He told the detectives of Sim
mons being in the habit of visiting some
female friends in GrecnpoInt, but on
making inquiries this was found to be
untrue, and was told by Kretz to mislead
the police. Kretz was detained in the
police office two or three hours, and was
anxious to get way, stating 10 friend
that he was afraid he was to be locked
Nd AS witness. The detectives did moi
think that Kretz knew any thing about
the murder, and he was allowed to sc
home.
Among others interviewed were the
watchmen on the docks. One was found
who said he saw d man answering the de-
scription of Kretz down near the docks
on Saturday morning, and was quite pos
tive about bis identity. The detectives
then supposed if kretz was not the guilty
man he knew something about the mur-
der, and they went 10 his house at %
North Third street, and arrested him.
On his way 10 the station house he pur.
posely cut his hand. II bled freely and
he kept rubbing it on his pants. When
this was observed an examination OF hls
clothing was made, which revealed
large spot Of dried blood
on his pants. The detectives then visited
his house again and found trunk lock-
ed and nailed together so tight that II
was opened with difficulty. In this they
found the arms and legs ofthe muir.
dered victim and IN boiler they found
the trunk of the body skinned and cut up
and the antrails removed and quick lime
put inside So as 10 cause speedy decem-
position. There had been pool Oi
! blood on the floor but efforts bad been
made to obliters.e it by scrapIng
until the boards were almost white
L pon the dress Of Mrs Kreiz, which bad
! lust been washed, were stains Of blood
She said she scraped the floor at the re-
quest OF her husband, and that Sim
mons called at the house on Tuesdsy
nigh, ard they all bad drink toy ether
! Simmons drinks being made stro ngel
than those Of the Others, and that when
be was supplied with liquor Kretz tool
q hatchet and chopped his head Of, tbs
act being witnessed by bis little step
daughter. Mrs Kre.z said that she hersel
vas then Up stairs. When Kretz heard ih'
body was dicovered be admitted MS gull
and said he had done il because he hac
found the victim in criminal intercourse
with bis wife, but this Mrs. kretz denies
The murder Was no doubt committed 20
robbery ~ Simmons was always known u
have money on bis per.on. The prisone
was also found in posssesssion Of Sim
mons watch, and the little girl says he
father took three dollars snd some cent
from the pockets Of the murders'
man. Mrs. Kretz Was taken 4
the station house sad locked 10 . separat
cell. The prisoner, who says his res
name is Kre,z, l. an AlsatIAn by birth
and speaks both French and German
He is about forty years OF age, stOutl,
bul, FIVE feet six inches in height, snC
has a rather forb;dding aspect