The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-31
MOST MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
sUSPICIONS THAT 4 MAN WAS KILLED
FOR INSURANCE MONEY.
Wis Former Businea Partner Arrested-
Twenty-six Thousnnd Dollars for Three
Mopths-D Deeply Tut Initials In N uatchct.

Mopths-Deepiy Tut Initials In N uatchct.
F,om n, rl,,,i.Jla Tjms
On the evening OF the oath inst. James NJ.
Armstrong. music publisher. at no SAMSON
street. Camden. WIS found in front Of 5l- Vine
street. bleeding proiuscy from wounds in the
head. There was cut IN the top of his head
through which his brains could be seen. This
had evidently been made with the sharp edge Of
a machinists hammer which instrument. to-
gcther with Ratchet was found near where
the wounded man was picked UP. There were
three other wounds. one on the forehead. one
on the head one over the left eye. and one on
the back Of the head. H. died soon aiterward.
On both the hammer and hatchct were the mi
tiuls " F. W. D." and it was found that Fred W.
Davis. living at 522 Vino street. Camden. two
doors from where Armstrong WIS picked up.
owned the tools. 1t was also learned that Mr.
Armstrong and Davis had hud business relations
and were TO have met on Wednesday evening by
appointment at the latter's house. Davis was
locked UP in the Camden Jail. He refused to
say anything about the affair. james Z. De-
maris. who lives in Linden avenue. Camden.
gave himself up to the authorities ON hearing
that he, too. was wanted. and was locked UP as
u witness. Davis and Demnris were in the
produce business together up TO two months
ago. Armstrong had accepted a note from
them and had had other transactions with them.
He told n friend In this city that he was going
over to Camden on Wednesday evening by APP
pointmcnt with Davis. to settle up their BUSH
ness. Armstrong was about 80 years OF age
had a wife and children. and had been in bust
ness in THIS city ~ a music publisher ubOuttcn
years Davis who has "a family. and was Tor
merry c9nnneeisd III ~ brother Y ths pull
even ng after the ass ut. attended the service
in the Tabernacle. Methodist Church. and re-
On Monday afternoon Mr.. Frank Armstrong
Searched the murdered mans late residence
Tor all papers belonging TO him. In "a batch Of
letters OF recent date they came across Il note to
Mr. Armstrong from benjamin Hunter who UNI
I'll seven months ago was associated with the
tyuographer in the business at no SAMSON
street. The note contained q request for Mr.
Armstrong to submit himself 10 an examine
ton. 50 that life Insurance policies might be
taken out in his name In the Manhattan and
lrOvldent Companies. This was news 10 Mr..
Frank Armstrong and the murdered man :
wife. They knew that he had been insured for
81 500 in luvOr OF his family, but were also
icy 70 run out. 1t was news also TO Prosecutor
jenkins and Sheriff Daubman who. upon being
called in. usked Cnief OF Police Jones Tor the
At the Office OF the Provdent Company II was
found that on the 4th OF last December Benla-
gamcs NJ. Armstrong; lie for $4,000. At the
Manhattan Companys Office policy OF $4,000
was found. ma tie New York Mutual COmpa-
ny's books showed another $4,000 policy. All
three OF the policies bore the date oil Dec. 1.
lie. and the first quarterly premiums. amount
lux TO about 5000. were paid down by Hunter
Armstrong Kept the insurance secret from his
family and intimate friends. Ii is thought that
he was obliged 10 do So Hunter became Arm
strongs special partner IN the SAMSON street
business about three years ago.
He put in, as his part OF the capital IS 600
Last June the firm was dissolved. When he
Withdrew Hunter took five notes. the flist. for
tlQOO. payable in two years the second, for
another thousand. payable III three years. and
80 on being reimbursed on paper Tor his III
vestm"nt Hunter also endorsed for Armstrong
Tor about 1000. and when the policies We're
taken out was Armstron-s creditor IA the sum
Of about $1,000. Sheriff Daubman ana D-tec-
tive lodcr went 10 hunter residence. 1894
South Tenth street. about va O'Clock on Mon
day evening Hunter objected 10 accompany
the insurance policies. ii denied their ex-
is.en,e. he was asIWyd wnether ne iid not go
week. H. said that he had not been in Jersey
Iora number OIL months.
county prison. Yesterday the author ties We're
procuring evidence us to the whereabouts Of
Hunter ON "Wednesday evening. Officer Joshua
Watson WAS positive in the statement that he
saw Hunter ut the West Jersey ferry. on the
Jersey side. on the night oil the murder. Hun
ler's family refused last evening 10 speak upon
the su Ject at all. having been advised not to do
SO by the sus pected mans attorney. Mrs Arm
strong, when informed OF tue assault upon her
husband late on Wednesday n.ght exclaimed
Where's Mr.. Hunter; he was to have gone
over with hlml. II Is in evidence that Arm
strong expected Hunter to accompany HIM 10
Dayiss house.
Hunter IS about 46 years Of age s feet 10 inches
In heEAt. and has the reputation OF being very
reserved. He was formerly IN business at Tenth
nnd Locust. where he sold heaters AMI cooking
ranges. tut lately has attended 10 u patent
backlog boiler. upon which he has a payin.
royalty he owns some property iucludlns the
hne house al .oU4 south Tenth street, Pnlladel-
PIMA. where he has lived Tor fourteen years. and
i IN comfortable CIRCUMSTANCES. He has VIE
ana three children. Until about two years ago
Armstrong res .ded on South Tenth street
nearly oppos lie tue Hunter mansion. The non
were Regarded as last friends. Armstrong ,
relatives and ucQualntauccs say that he Was a
man OF easy disposi ton. almost incapable OF
suspee ting the honesty or good meaning of any
one. he Was lOrly-twO years OF axe. IL younger
man by Jour years than Hunter. In Hunter )
lands. they urge, ne was JIst the person TO be
pliube. especially with the $1,000 debt hanging
strongs bus ness transactions. and knew that
the Davis-D emarls notes We're causing great
deal OF trouble. Hunter had not as yet made
any attempt 10 collect the s2b .UUO insurance.
The theory is that Armstrong was taken to the
house OF Demarls, and altrrWard persuaded to
visit the house oil Fred. ". Davis. WnIie ON his
way there he struck ia the head with the
hammers and the weapons thrown alongside
his PROSTATE body. These had Davis initials
The hammers and Ratchet have been identified
by a blacksmith living IN this city rs belonglnl.
10 him, ana borrowed " either Denlar.s or
DAVIS some ten months ago, when they were IN
business near INN on Do * street ana never
returned. \ lnicrls Optical examination Is sull
To reveal the iAt that TIE Initials were freshly
cut when would 20 10 SHOW the planning oi a
deep conspiracy Tor the purpose VI deiraudl -
the ans urance con panies Vi some $4,000. Inc
months.