The sun., 1879-03-24
MISSING JAMES M'WILLIAMS.
4 BROTHER SEEKING FOR ETIDENCES
or RON PAY IN H1RLEM.
Trnced TO n Cabin ON tho FInts-Drlnking on
Christians Eve-An Arrest on SuspicIon-
Digging Ash Henps-A Quest Not Ended.


Thirty years ago the McWilliams family
came TO this city from Dublin. and for twenty
five years they have becn residents Of Harlem.
Up to last Christmas eve the family consisted of
five brothers all married. three Of whom live
in Harlem. one in Stamford, Conn. and the
nth Is In the West.
At2P W. on the oath Of December last James
McWilams. the youngest brother left his
house mt 800 East 11lth street. telling his wife
that he was going out to take up n subscription
for an old acquaintance whose daughter was
sick and who was too poor to procure medica
assistance He did not tell his wife who the
sick person was. but suid that he would return
home before bedtime. He did not return. and
Christmas Day was spent in coniectures as to
the cause Of his absence. The next day his
brother Peter went to the Harlem police station
12Gth street. and nm alarm was sent out. Nc
Milliams's brothers searched for him for sew
era days. Edward McWillams OF Stamford,
Conn, came on to join in the search.
Eight days after the disappearance Of James.
Peter McWiams met Michael Rice OF 11lth
street and Fourth avenue. near the Harlem
Bridge. and made inquiries Of his missing
brother. why" said Rice. I saw him on the
afternoon Of Christmas eve and he snid he was
going to make n call on Peter Glynn." The
brothers soon after met, aud together went to
cnhin NJ the termination Of Fifth avenue at
13Sth street. A few Yards further on IL another
lett are low grounds partially fled with piles OF
nshrs aud street swcrpings that have been
dumped there. To the right nre the low grounds
merged to the depth Of three feet. The two
cabins ure isolated from other buildings. and
being partially below the street are reached by
Tiward McWiIiams questioned Glynn abou,
his brother. and while doing so noted his m.
hands were covered with scars that were par
! TALLY healed, and u considerable scar WIS upon
/ his lett ear. Those on his face appeared 90 nave
! been made by the nails - the hand. Glynn ne
! counted for these 10y saving thnt on Christmas
! eve night he tell against post IN the back
| could not be- found. IL admitted that James
| McWiiams was in his cabin Christmas eve. as
! was also Gloughlin. his neghbor. They drank
! from bottle uf whiskey. and McNilliums left
| ut about l2'i Christmas morning. Gloughlin
| says thnt he lef! Gyms at - Il, A.. or twl
remained. The next day. on the complaint Of
! Edward New illams, Glynn was arrested and
| mken belorc Justice Duffy In the Harlem Police
! Court. i.,wns discharged FOR want Of evidence
The McWtlliams brothers were not satisfied.
/ and for several days thereafter they were seen
| Their theory WAS thnt their brother was MUIR
| dered and his body buried under the ash
! heaps. They argued that he could not have
| walked into the river. and oven If he had his
| body could not have Noatrd TO the mnin chan
/ uel. a distance OF 800 yards or more. without
/ lodging AGAINST some ot the numerous Ohstrue-
| tons on the ilut. Bn-ides. tho water would bl
/ too shallow 20 float of body. Detectives Smith
| and Clark spent q few days Investigating the
! case. bat finally dropped il. The brothers
! however. continued their search. and are still
| looking tur their missing brother
! Edward MeWitums IA SO Impressed with the
| belief that his brother has been made away
| with that he has left his business and Is now IN
| Harlem spending all ot his spare time in trying
/ g. unraycl the mystery. The brothers have Wis
tied B,nckwel's Island and have made NOR,
than iuy visits TO the MOrgue. Edward says
| that he will not give up the case until he finds
out what had become OF his brother.