Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-25

and the Theory Presented Accepted as
Forcible-The Mayor Orders the Police
to Take Up The Trail-An Arrest Made
and the Wild Stories that Grew There
from-What the Prisoner Says-No
Tangible Clue to the Mystery, but The
Conviction that II Foul Murder Has Been
Done Growing Stronger Every Moment.
Yesterday the GLOBE furnished Il topic of
general interest in recalling to the public the
circumstances of Mrs. McMasters' death. The
mention of the suspicious which attached to
her untimely death; the probability of VIC
lence causing it, and the recital of the testi-
mony to sustain SO horrible suppostion, all
combined to intensity the interest naturally
felt in the sudden death OF estimable and
widely known person as deceased
To some the exclusive publication for the
first, of the suspicious of foul play, came like
revelations to the many, the GLOBE an
nouncement of the horrible suspicion and
statement of the testimony establishing
such q probability came as n confirmation of
an opinion almost universally entertained.
THE DOCTORS THEoRy-THE MURDER THEORY.
Comments on the SUNDAY GLOBES account
betrayed that the community was largely at
apoplexy, and that the belief that death had
come to Mrs. McMasters by violent hands was
generally harbored.
Having learned that even the relatives of de
ceased had at first suspected that deceased came
to her death by violence, the GLOBE undertook
to Investigate the circumstances which led to
the suspicion. The result of the investigation,
in detail, was spread before the GLOBE readers
yesterday, and came to the eyes of the people
IN general, or was repeated until it became the
absorbing topic of conversation and excited
comment throughout the day.
The general verdict was that the
GLOBE had voluntarily performed q
duty in placing all the facts con-
nected with the sudden death, before the pub
lie. Added to this, with general accord the
one opinion was expressed, that "the suspicion
of death by violence had been so intensified
that doubt was dispelled and the melancholy
certainty, that murder had been done, was
alone acceptable.
Some few combatcd such conclusion.
With the many who contend that murder
was committed, with the few who maintain
different views the GLOBE has nothing to do.
The investigation was made from a sense Of
duty, and the result in detail, as to circum-
stances, as to the person of tue dead, as to the
surroundings when the body was found,
rs to when she was last seen,
to her health previous to her death, as to
her habits, ETC., was given with minute and
scrupulous care even to tho most trivial oc.
currence. Witnesses were found in the course
of the Investigations their testimony was
added to the accumulation of circumstantial
facts.
From all this testimony in circumstances
and speech, the GLOBE leaves its readers to
form their own opinion without assistance by
advancing any theory.
THE EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY.
As stated, public opinion will not accept the
theory of death from apoplexy. The suspi-
cous circumstance attending the DEATH tho
manner in which the body was found, the clots
of blood, the unstained handkerchief, and
Myra Peters story that she saw q man come
out of the gate, ETC., have fixed the suspicion
akin to reasonable degree of certainty that
Mrs. McMasters' was murdered
Had she fallen in faint, then gotten up,
she would have used her handkerchief.
If she had placed herself upon the bed to
cover from fainting spell, would she have
put out the light before so doing? Who put
out the light?
These and such like comments were not un-
common. And the prevalent doubts expressed
i'll the SUNDAY GLOBE were repeated and dwelt
upon, until doubt gave way to almost certain
ty.
THE PUBLIC VERDICT.
The doctors ytheory of tho death was declar-
ed untenable.
That murder was done might be probable.
Then tho missing watch.
Mrs. McAlasters always did business in that
line, at Browns jewery store. Her watch is
not there. 1t was there two weeks ago, and
was put in thorough repair and returned to
Mrs. McMasters. She was peculiarly and par
tcularly attached to the watch. 1t had been
her husbands constant companion. At his
death, she regarded it and kept it as a special
souvenir. She never would have parted with
it without mentioning it.
Again, the missing key to the front door.
But all such comments and speculatlons are
but repetitions. However, they show the ten
dency of thought, and feebly exhibit the pre-
yailing interest and excitement
THE CASE GIVEN TO THE POLICE.
Early in the day Mayor Daw-
son visited police headquarters
in regard to the matter. The CLONES lnvesti-
Cation had revealed the existence of such for
chile testimony that he deemed it advisable to
take Immediate official recognition of it, Capt.
Clark and detective Bresett were ordere to un-
dertake a careful investigation
The case was put into their hands
for thorough and far-reaching examination,
Previous to the GLOBES publication the po-
lice had received no intimation of the suspi-
con of anything wrong The doctors had pro-
nOunced her death natural one. What subse-
4uent suspicious her family friends enter
tanned had been kept ut home, and would
never have attracted official attention had it
not been for the GLOBE.
If u murder has been committed it sh0nld
be known.
The murderer's capture can only be effected
through and by the officers of the law
The police have two clews the stolen watch
and the description of the man who was seen to
come out of Mrs. McNIasters gate at o'clock on
the memorable Monday night.
THE SUPPOSED MURDERER ARRESTED.
With the addition Of the hours to the
lengthening day, the excitement grew with
amazing strength.
The excitement reached its climax about
nlghtfall with the announcement that the
murderer had been captured. Wild rumors
we're circulated with frenzied rapldity.
The missing watch had been found in his
possession.
He had confessed the crime.
These stories arose from an arrest made by
Officer Palmer. Moreover, and to give a SEM
blance of probability to the rumors, the party
arrested was supposed to know something
about the affair. In fact he claimed to know
all about it.
The GLOBE, again true to its mission to in
vestigate and penetrate the mystery surround
ing Mrs. McMasters' DEATH instituted inquiries.
These facts We're learned.
About ~ o'clock yesterday a stranger en-
tered Mrs. Oysters restaurant on upper Third
street. At the time, she was engaged in read.
ing the GLOBES recital of Mrs. McMasters'
death. The stranger looked over her shoulder
and entered into conversation regarding the
affair. He declared, in the course of the talk,
that he knew all about it, knew where the
watch was, and concluded by saying Mrs. Nc
Masters had been killed, and robbed of $500
besides the watch.
Long before the stranger had gotten through
his talk, Mrs. Oyster had become alarmed, but
had the Judgment to keep him engaged in con-
versation while she sent out for an officer.
Officer Palmer came in, overheard a part of
the mans talk, and arrested him.
After reaching the station he was consigned
to cell, where, after having slept for an hour
or so, he was brought out and questioned about
his admissions or confession to Mrs. Oyster.
he promptly denied all personal knowledge of
Mrs. McMasters' death. and knew nothing of
the circumstances attending It. He gave his
name "a Henry Lahsa, said he had lived three
years in Edwardsville. Illinois, had worked the
three last weeks at Rose Creek. 1O2 miles from
here, and that he and one Tom Clark arrived
in st. Paul yesterday Saturday. morning.
This account Of himself was corroborated on
inquiry.
The man was seen, and repeated to the GLOBE
the above Account of himaalf NJ :. All