New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-08
4 MTSTERfOUS MURDER.

THE HOMICIDE AT CAMDEN, NEw-JERsEY-DAVis
AND pEuARIs Observation-Disclosures HELD As
Tur MURDERrR or ). NJ. ARMSTRONG.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2.-On the evening OF
the 2lst ult, Philadelphia startled by the killing OF
james NJ Armstrong. at Camden y. j. He was found III
the street in dying condition. his skull having been
fractured BY hammer and he had also been wounded
hy hatchet Upon both ~ these implements found In
the vicinity were found the initials F. W. d." and
Frederick W. Davis was thought 10 be- their owner. lie
lived only little way from the spot where Armstrong
was discovered. II WAS ascertaned that DAVIS had
business relations with Armstrong. and that they
were 10 meet by appointment at the house
OF the former. lie was on that account
arrested One Demaris, who formerly partner of
Davis hearing that he suspected, gave himself up
He had told friend that he going over to Camden,
on Wednesday evening 10 settle note which Armstrong
had against tho old firm lie also was locked up tut
search Of residence Of the murdered man being made
for papers, note found from one benjamin Hunter
who until months ago WAS associated WIN arh
strong in the business OF music publishing Tho note re-
quested Armstrong submit himself for examination
so that insurance policies his life might be taken out In
the Manhattan and Provdent cos panies or these nsur
ances the family OF Armstrong had 40 information The tie
tociives followed up this clue, aud found that on the ith OF
last December Hunter took out policy on Armstrong;
life for $4,000 Another insurance OF the same KIND
was discovery at the Manhattan Companys Office Tor
$4,000 and stu another at thc New-loik mutua ior
an equal sum. All three OF the policies were dated DE
ccmber 4. 1877, and all the premiums were paid 10y
Hunter. When the copartnership between Hunter and
Armstrong dissolved last June. there was an IN
debteduess the part OF the decreased to Hunter OF
81 900. when Hunter questioned by the detectives
respecting the policies, he denied their existence
lie also said that he had not been IN camden
for six months; and he neryously reiterated
that he not there on the night o, III,
murder. There II evidence that ne strongly hu
viscd Armstrong 10 90 over TO Camden. When tre
sheriff said him. " want YOU to 90 to jersey WIN
me-" he exclaimed: 81 wasn't IN Camden WEDNESDAY
night" lie l. known to have crossed the West jersey
Ferry that evenngand the hat which he wore lccordin
the evidence OF the erryma has been FOUND roh'eacd
IN mis- house 40 sure are the authorities that they have
released.
Hunter had hearing before MAYOR Ayrcs, of Camden
today The testimony the different officers OF the
life insurance companies was gwen ana me mann Iar
elected was the Interest OF Hunter In Armstrong; death
lawyers that their client had been kidnapped and
brought He zally into NowJersey. The prisoner eAlD
tied no signs OF agitation. Frank Armstrong testified 10
the fact Of conversation with hl~ lnthcr on thc Gay OF
tie murder IN which he spoke OF gonS TO Chu w IS
evening He also testified that Hunter dcnic an Hho"I-
edge of the engagement 10 meet Armstrong III tihuen
The defence OF Hunter viii be an alib or whch l.
said that further evidence Will be fOrnooulng Inc
Court held that there probable cause 10 believe
him guilty. and he held for trial nj the MAY term OF
the Court. There talk OF writ OF hnDeas corpus
end great dissatisfaction expressed by the prisoner
lawyers at his commitment.