The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-18
MERRICK's MYSTERY.
The Dody OF n MissinE Witnes. In an Arson
Case Found In n Brook.

MERRIcK, L. l., March 17.-Danlel Carpen-
ter while on his way to Freoport this morning.
discovered the body Of n man in Cedar swamp
Brook. The body is that Of large. flne-looking
man OF about so years OF age The clothes are
new and OF fine quality throughout. They are
evidently OF foreign make. The hands were
encased in new black kid gloves. On the bank
OF the stream was found small fancy cane
Several persons living In the vicinity recognized
the body as that OF a stranger who had been in
the neighborhood for several days. On Sunday
his presence in the little church here attracted
much attention. He spoke - no one. and
answered curtly when addressed.
This afternoon the body was placed in Mr..
Thomas Seaman's barn. which is only short
distance from the brook. and by direction OF
Coroner McCarty OF Rockaway number OF
persons from the adjoining towns were called
IN look at IT, Henry Mott gazed at the dead
mans face long and earnestly as II trying TO re-
call some picture 20 his mind. At length Mott
My God Itis John Clark the witness in tho
arson case against j. ID. s. O'Brien OF Rockville
Centre"
Soon other persons from Rockville Centre
were brought In. who corroborated what Mott
had said.
Nearly two years ago. ]. D. s. o'Brien. who
has Just served "A term in the Queens County
jail. bought large building in Rockville Gem
tire. Here he proposed 10 keep stove stor@ and
OBrien visited Glen Cove. and had his building
heavily insured in the Mutual Insurance Com
pany Of Glen Cove. On a dark night a few
months later. and before the store had been
stocked. the building had been burned down.
The insurance company refused To pay the in e
surHnce. averring that O'Brien had been nstru-
mental in the burning of the building. OBrien
accused James BrightmHn Of setting the store
on fire and had long interviews with District
Attorney Downing. IN which he attempted to in
duce the District Attorney to entertain the same
view These attempts only served To strengthen
the belief OF the District Attorney that O'Brien
was the incendary. and he had O'Brien taken
before the Grand Jury. who indicted him for
arson.
While the trial was going on John Clark. the
principal witness. on whose testimony mainly.
the Indictment had been found. suddenly dis
appeared. Subsequently the District Attorney
was informed that Clark had been sDirlted
away to Europe. About month ago Mrs.
Clark received letter from her husband in
Europe. sayi ng that he could find nothing 10 do
his money being exhausted he proposed 10 re-
turn. Merrck Is about six miles from Rock
willie Centre. and IL is thought that Clark came
TO this place. where he was comparatively un-
known, 10 await some messenger who was to
furnish him with money. Rumors are rife that
Clark was drowned No critical examination
Of the body has been made as yet. and II is
therefore impossible TO say whether there are
any marks OF violence on II or NOT The search
OF the Coroner yesterday for Mrs CLARK proved
fruitless. She quilted Rockville Centre about 4
week ago. saying that she was going tu move 10
Brooklyn. The COronrr's Jury is called for 10
o'clock tomorrow. and 1t Is thought that i'm
portant facts will then be elected.