The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-21
THE REINHARDT MYSTERY.

GROUNDS ON WHICH THE POLICE FORM THEIR
BELIEF THAT JOHN sCHMrTrLER Is THE NUE.
DEREn--BLooDY WEAPONS FOUND.
Tho police Of Long Island City have discovered
what they think q very important clew in the
Of George Reinhardt. OF Blissvle. L. L. who diod
under such mysterious circumstances on Thursday
night. The true facts in the case. published in
yesterday HERALD. werc read with great wonder by
the people Of Long Island City and vicinity.
HERALD reporter again visited the scene of what is
believed to have been tho tragedy. The police Of
fcials at Hunters Point we're very mysterious and
contented themselves with wisely shaking their
heads when asked IL there was anything new in tho
case. One OF the officers admitted that some very
important admissions had been made by some Of tho
witnesses examined before Coroner Davren. Those
admissions the officer also informed the reporter,
were Of such character leave hardly any room
for doubt to who murdered Reinhardt. The
police. however. positively refused give any Of the
evidence for publication Furthermore than to state
that it very damaging to John Schmittler. who
is at present confined in the County Jail charged
with the crime. Tho HERALD reporter, however,
succeeded in obtaining all the evidence in the case
that has thus far been obtained by either the police
the Coroner or the prosecuting attorney. visit
and the deceased lived. and where on Wednesday
night they drank together. It will be recoL
Ssss men entered saloon in Bssve asps
by named Garry They had been drinking
very hard. and both were pretty full. At Garry's
the men drank twice and then departed. Schmittler
says that einhardt left before he did and that when
hetSchmiter arrived at the shop stable he found
aud face covered with blood. He says he washed
away the blood. and then. with Potter Smith. bur-
tender IN the employ Of Gsrry carried Rsinhsrdt
The wounded man was allowed to lay in
bed without medical attendance until the following
with Schmittler, notified Coroner Davren and pre-
liminary investigation was held in the matter. The
facts regarding Schmitter arrest still fresh IN
the public mind. While he suspected Of the
crime his arrest caused by his being discovered
on lonely road at midnight with woman claiming
to be his wife, who said that an unknown man had
assaulted her. Schmittler accounted for various
scratches on his hands by saying that the person
who assaulted his wife also kicked and maltreated
him. The police give no crcdence whatever to this
statement
BAnrKNDxR SMITHS TESTIMONY.
The first step in fixing the guilt upon Schmittler
was taken yesterday. Peter Smith. Garry's bar
tender At his store in Bssvle. considered by the
portant witness III the case. He the only man
besides Schmitter who the body Of the deceased
before it taken into Nestler's house. Thepoiice
also believed that he must have had some
with Schmitter ON the subject
how Reinhardt had to his then condition,
and since the authorities have been made acquainted
with the crime. the police have kept y sharp eye
Smith. He has been watched wherever he went. and
yesterday Peter was greatly surprised when officer
Ennis at noon la,d his hand on his shoulder and
took him into custody Us an Important witness in
the case. Ofhcer Ennis brought Smith before Coro-
Davren. who examined him at considerable
length regard to his connection with the The
examination very thorough one in all respects.
The Coroner asked Smith IL Schmittler had not ac-
knowledged to him that he had quarrel with Uein-
hardt the night that the two drinking in
Garry's saloon smith, in reply to this, sad that
Schmttler told him while they were taking Rein
hardt into tho house that he mad struck the latter
over the head with stick. He testified at great
length in reference to this. Coroner Davren has
in his possession ut his Office pieces
OF wood about four feet long. four inches
wide and inch thick. and also two iron bars All
these weapons were found concealed in the factory
in which Schmttler. Reiphzrdt and Nestler worked.
One of the pieces OF wood was bloody. and evil
dences plentiful that attempt had been made
TO saw the bloody part of.
THE PosT-MoRTEM.
DR.. Denbce, who has charge of tho remains Of tho
In doing so he took occasion yesterday To tit the
bloody end Of the stick found in the factory
fracture made in Renhardt's skull. Tho two fitted
In almost every way. The Doctor has come tn the
conclusion that the deceased to his death from
o fracture OF tho skull and compression of
the brain. caused by the fracture. Coroner
Dsvren viii hold al examination In the case
has Also. 1t is said. learned from Smith. the bar
tender IN what condition the body OF Reinhardt
was found before 1t was taken tn the house OF John
Nestler. Smith. after Rcinhardt and Schmittlor
quilted Garrys store. went on his way home. On
arriving at the factory where the men worked lac
heard groans coming. m he thought. from
the area. lie stopped moment ana listened.
The groans were heard again distinctly Then
he walked over to the factory and found ReinharIt
in the area leading to the basement. He was lying
both took hold of the man and carried
him up and into Nestcrs house, whore smith lett
them. The police believe that the two nieii--Rein-
hardt and Schmittler-had quarrel. and that IN the
scue that ensued both rolled down the areaway into
the basem snt tn the factory ami lay there
until discovered by Smith.