The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-11
Mr. STEWARDS REMAINS.
New York Detectives Following a
Clew in Virginia.
MYSTERIOUS BOATMEN.
A Box Taken Ashore and Planted Aonp
the Rappahannock River
STATEMENT OF NEGRO HUNTERS.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

FREDERICKSBURG, va. Dec. TO- 1878.
The question now agitating the minds of the few
initiated people here is. Does certain box supposed
to be hidden somewhere the banks of the Kappa
hammock River. contain the missing remains of tho
late A. r. Stewart? This question suggested by tho
presence of a brace of New York detectives, whose
movements have been couded in the most impene-
trable mystery, but the object of whose visit has been
ascerained by your correspondent after great deal
of trouble and careful inquiry The story as devel-
oped is to say the least little remarkable whatever
it may finally result in. small sailing craft
at dusk last Saturday night in the Rappahannock
River about three miles below fredericksburg, by
two negroes who coon hunting along
the river The barking of their dogs attracted
the attention of the two men. who were in boat.
slowly towing the vessel up the river for there
a calm at the time, As the negroes dis.
covered the hawser let go and the boat APP
preached the Shore while the occupants halooed to
the negroes to come down to the waters edge
STRANGE DIALOGUE.
The following conversation ensued:-
BoArMAN-How far to fredericksburg?
NEGRo-'Bout three miles.
BoATMAN-How far to the head of tidcwatery
NRGRo-Dunno what dat is.
BoATMAN-How far up the river we take our
vessel?
NEGRo-'Bout half mile 'bove Fredericksburg.
BoATMAS-Are there any cliffs or woods close
above Fredericksburg?
NEGno-Dar amt closer den de dam.
BoATMAN-What dam
NEGRo-De big dam what runs all de mills round
town.
BoATMAS-Does any one live near the dam7
NEGRo-No. sir.
BoATMAN-Thank you.
The boatmen returned to the vessel. when q con-
sultation held with the at the wheel. Tho
1ato naj ~
who had INTERCEPTED them.
CARRYING A SUSPICIOUS LOOKING BOX.
About midnight the boat hitched on to the vessel
and continued its passage up the river closely fol-
lowed by the negro hunters. They passed through
the city unobserved until the rapids reached.
near Falmouth. Finding it impossible to follow the
stream further they landed old I'M
tenanted mill. Two took from the
vessel q box which easily carried on
their shoulders and proceeded along the river bank.
They had not gone far when lights were in the
celebrated Bridgewater FIGURING Mills, owned by Fix
len & Sons. The busy life within and around the
mills induced the party leave the river and seek
the open fields. They continued their course until
the abutment of the dam reached. Finding il
impossible to reach the Shore for they had been fol-
lowing the road that led along the canal they stole
the boat belonging to the Waterworks Company and
put into it the box they had been carrying. and
crossing the canal succeeded in eudng the negroes
who had been following them.
THE BKHnD.
! In an hours time they returned from the cliff,
where. it is supposed they deposited the box They
returned to their vessel and jeff fredericksburg as
quietly and mysteriously they came. For time
it supposed the detectives who were here came
because corpse brought hero Last week, but tho
present solution is that they were the track Of
those who had come up the river mystcriousy.
They have been very rctcent and while their pres
ence is known to only two persons here, they
have been closely watched. They remained in the
city Sunday night, and early Monday morning
seemed to be in possession of all the facts known by
the negroes. About noon on Monday the detectives
visited the cliffs the dam and remained there the
rest of the day. vanly searching for the hidden box.
At least no is aware Of their finding it.
DETECTIVES SCENT.
Your correspondent asked the Chief Of Police what
information he had concerning these strangers, and
the only information he could obtain from him was
he had heard of their presence but had
consulted by them. They seen in the city last
night, but their conduct showed determination not
to be questioned There is doubt that they arc
still in the neghborhood in search of the box and it's
contents. have endcavored to ascertain what be-
came of the vessel. but learn nothing of her
whereabouts. She is supposed to have into some
Of the numerous creeks along the river during the
day and to have sailed only at night. By this time
she and her crew lost amid the many small craft
In CheSapeako Raw