New-York tribune., 1876-03-13
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
A BROOKLYN MYSTERY.

ARREST OF CHARLES C. scHNAUFFER, CHARGED
WITH CAUSING THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE AND
WITH FORGING HER SIGNATURE.
A case is now under investigation in Brook
lyn which is involved in mystery The charges are forgery
and murder and the alleged culprit is Charles O.
schnaufer wealthy German grocer, who formerly dd
business at Nos 255 and 259 Bridgest in Brooklyn He
Is about 80 wears old and has been married four times
He married his last wife about three years ago. but ther
relations toward each other were not HARMONIOUS ahu
is alleged on his part brutal For some time past they
have been separated. Her maiden name was Annie DaV-
enport and trouble between them began previous to the
marriage He consented to marry her only because he
was compelled to do by local proceedings Soon after
the marriage he began to abuse and maltreat her.
In August 1873 Mrs schnaufrer suddenly disappeared
and her friends declare she has not been seen since WDeh
asked where she was, he is alleged TO nave
made contradictory statements. These facts, with his
alleged threats before she disappeared that he would
kill her II it could be made 10 appear accidental excited
the suspicion OF her friends that she had been murdered
II is also alleged that since her disappearance ne has
several times represented himself widower assert
ing that his wife dead There s record OF her death
in the Health Office
Finally, the missing wOman's lawyer, Mr. Tighe, was
urged to begin proceedings against schnauher. The
lawyer could find no legal testimony TO support any
charge until Saturday when he secured arrest
In Mr. Proyosts real estate office in Monaguest, Brook
lyn schnaufer had Just concluded sale OF property
on Brdgest to- Edward ROrke for 1900, for which ne
gave deed bearing his signature and that OF his
wife The latter was declared TO be forgery,
and this fact, together with her disappearance,
in the mind Of her lawyer justified his arrest When
taken before Superintendent Campbell he said he did
not know where his wife living but he could find her
if he were allowed TO go and look for her. He said he
saw her on Friday in BrOOmest, near the B0wery III
this CITY, and that he brought her TO notary on
Broadway Brooklyn, +. d., where she signed and swore
TO the deed given Rorke for the Bridgest property
That WAS all the information the Superintendent could
get from him, and the man was taken before Justice
Walsh, where two complaints were hled against him
The charged nm with causing the death OF his
wife His counsel, eXJudge Troy asked that ne DC ais
charged as II is not known that the woman IA dead
Justice Walsh cded that the point raised valid,
and he could not hold the prisoner. The second COM
plant that be had forged his wfes name to the deed
He held upon tnat charge. To II he pleaded not
guilty and sent 10 jail until this morning, when ne
will be examined .o
trying turn 10 into money, with the lnentlOn
leaving the city. He appeared anxious ana nervous
while in the police court and was very indignant wnen
taken before the superintendent His wife If ea 10
much younger than he, and attractive III a-
pearance The police Superintendent has put the whole
detective force at work upon the case so as to determine
II possible beoTc the our OF examination this morning
whether the suspicious of murder well founded, as
Mr. Schnauer could be 6aed upon the lesser charge,
and il is deemed desirable TO keep him In custody unul
tiOn of the deed with an earlier deed signed
by Mrs schnauffer, left no doubt OF the
landwrtings and totally disslmllar.