The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-02-04
Shocking Murder in Brooklyn,

NEW YORK, January 30.-Detectives
were working buSily to day on the Green
Point murder case, in which the head of
VIM. W. Simmons was found in the
ship-yard of John English, on Milton
street. From the proximity of the head
to the river, it was thought the body
had beeh thrown in the water. Inquir-
ies were made at places where Simmons
was in the ha bit of visiting, bnt no per-
son acknowledged having seen him since
Saturday night. Among those with
whom the murdered man was most inti-
mate. and to whom the officers looked
for the most authentic information was
Victor Kretz. who was known also by
the name Of Andreas Fuchs. He was
helper in the same shop as Simmons,
and worked bv his side, and was also be-
lieved 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 Simmons be-
ing in the habit of visiting some female
friends in Greenpnint, but on making
inquiries, this was found to be untrue,
and was told by Kretz to mislead the po-
lice. Kretz was detained in the police
Office two or three hours, and was anxi-
ons to get away, stating to a friend that
he was afraid he was to be locked as a
witness. The detectives did not think
that Kretz knew anything about the
murder, and he was allowed to go home
Among Others interviewed were the
watchmen on the docks. One was found
who said he saw a man answering the
description of Kretz down near the dock
on Saturday morning, and was quite pos
tive about his identity.
The detectives then supposed that if
Kretz was not the guilty man, he knew
something about the murder, and they
went to his house at No. SO North
Third street, and arrested him. On his
way to the station-house he purposely cut
his hand. 1t bled freely. and he kept
rndding it on his pants. When this was
observed an examination of his cloth
ing was made. which revealed a large
spot of dried blood on his pants. De-
found a trunk locked and nailed togeth-
er 30 tightly that it was opened with
great difficulty. In this they found
packed the arms and legs of the murder
ed victim, and in boiler they found the
trunk Of the body, skinned and cut up.
The entrails had been removed, and
quick lime put inside SO as 10 cause
speedy decomposition. There had been
pool of blood on the floor, but efforts
had been made to obliterate il by scrap
ing until the boards were almost white.
Upon the dress of Mrs. Kretz, which
had just been washed, were stains of
blood. She said she scraped the floor at
the request of her husband; that Sim
mons called at the honse on Thursday
night, and they all had a drink together
Simmons, drink being made stronger
than those Of the others, and that when
he was stupefed with liquor Kretz took
a hatchet and chopped his head of, the
act being witnessed by his little step
daughter. Mrs. Kretz said that she her
self was then up stairs. When Kretz
heard the body was discovered he admit
ted his guilt, and said he had done it
because he had found the victim in
criminal intercourse with his wife; but
this Mrs. Kretz denies. The murder was
no doubt committed for robbery, az Sim
mons was always known to have money
on his person. The prisoner was also
found in possession of Simmons watch,
and the little girl says her father took
three dollars and some cents from the
pockets of the murdered man.
Mrs. Kretz was taken to the station
house and locked in a separate cell. The
prisoner, who says his real name is Kretz
is an Alsatian by birth, and speaks both
French and German. He is about forty
years of age, stoutly built, FIVE feet six
inches in height, and has rather for
bidding aspect.