The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16
A BOSTON MURDER MYSTERY.

A CITIZEN FOUND DEAD IN HIS CELLAR WITH
SERIOUS STAB woUNDs-EvIDENcEs OF Bob
BERY-No CLEw TO THE cULPRIT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BosToN. August Is. 1872
Another brutal murder which is as yet surrounded
by dark veil of mystery, has set the town in
fever Of excitement The victim is j. f. Frye, of the
firm of MADAM & Frye. leather dealers. doing bust
on South street. He was sixty-fve years of
age and respected citizen. He resided at No. IS
Jay street. here to-day his dead body was found
in pool of blood which had escaped from eight
deep gashes in the side aud neck and one bullet
hole in the region of the heart Letter
Carrier Jenerds. his usual rounds rang the door
bell of No. 10 Jay street and received reply. He
rang again and again. and. getting response was
puzzled to ind the outside front door partly open
AID the inner wide open. The more he thought
of it the more he marvelled. and to satisfy his
curiosity lie called officer Together with another
citizen they entered the building and attracted
at once by evidences Of robbery. as the safe was
found open and several articles and drawers from
the inside were lying table,
DEAD, IN BLOOD.
Proceeding to the cellar they met u sight which
made each man shudder With his face down ward
and his right leg doubled under him lay the feess
body of Mr. Frye. with bullet hole in his temple.
pool blood his head, in which lay pocket
handkerchief Some three feet away, at his left.
were the brick floor. three envelopes, bearing the
address Joseph f. Frye, No. Is Jay street, Bos-
tom. Behind him. perhaps three feet away.
relied revolver. When the medical examiner
arrived he discovered bullet hole through
the heart, from which Mr.. Frye evidently died.
There were four stabs in the left side, two in the
neck and two under the shoulder.
SUICIDE.
The first theory was that the man had committed
suicide There was the pistol from which the fatal
shot had been fired and search made for the
knife but it could not be found This together
with the fact that no motive seemed to
exist for self-murder. practically disposed of
the theory Proceeding up stairs again the
room, in Of which stands y
large double-door safe such is usually made for
domestic 1t has velvet lined drawers for
knives forks and spoons and compartments for
larger articles OF plate. besides steel cash box for
the reception OF money and papers. The marble top
found this neon lying ON the dining table, and all
the doors were open. The iron ones unlocked.
and the keys resting the safe and the inner
wooden were burst open. evidently with large
carving knife. which lay on the foor. Two
of the drawers lay on the table. empty,
and three others. in which were lot Of silver
knives &C.. were top of the safe. In the COM
partments were many other and larger articles OF
silver plated ware and of both there remain un-
bag Of old coins and a bundle Of papers, among
which appear to be life insurance policy and sew
eral deeds. Other than the old coins money is to
DO found IL there was any In the safe its cash box
THE WORK BUNGLRR.
As before stated, the wooden doors had been prled
open with a knife. rather than a jimmy, and the
marble top lifted from the safe. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY the work Of no professional burglar. and
there signs that another clumsy Chastine Cox
had been through the house. Mr.. Frye's watch was
not to be found. although he known to have
worn it last night. The family OF the murdered
man, consisting of his wife and two sons aged fif-
teen and twelve, were absent in the country and
have not yet reached home.
ENTERTAINING FRIENDS.
Mr.. Frye was in company with one Marsh. who
left him at the corner OF Boyston and fremont
streets ut half past eight p. NJ. and then went to
Forest Garden. Mr.. Frye, it appears. crossed the
Common and went home. He entertained company
during the evening" and merry time was enjoyed
in smoking. billiard playing and other games till
about midnight. when the party broke up. 1t is
believed that after his company lett he went down
stairs to the cellar. probably because he heard
noise because he wanted something and there met
his death.
FIFTY THE POLICE IN THE DARK.
Up to late hour tonight arrests had been
made. Some of the officers and even the doctors
have still u suspicion OF suicide. Until the family
returns from New Hampshire and can ascertain how
much if any. Of the property has been stolen. but
little progress can be made in hunting mp the perpe
traitor of the crime.