New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-16
THE MURDER OFGUTERMUTH
Is THE THEORY OF THE POLICE COR
RECTf

MYSTERY.
There were indications yesterday that Coroner
Merkle and the police had come to a halt in their
investigation OF the fatal assault upon Louis w.
Gutermuth, and that they were completely be-
widered. Coroner Merke went to Police
Headquarters twice to see Inspector Byrnes. He
appeared to be excited and nervous. When asked
about the prospects he tried to assume a cheerful
air, and asserted that he hoped to clear up the mys
terry, but he not able to give any good grounds
for confidence. Inspector Byrnes, who has been
active in the Investigation since Robert G.. Clapp
and John X Imley were arrested spoke
in very guarded manner about the case.
He would say nothing except that he
had not received any new information of value.
From the admissions of detectives, who are &C
quainted with all the details of the case, however,
it was learned that the prospects of making case
against the prisoners. Clapp and Imley, were not
good. Ii is now believed by the detectives that
the prisoners Will be set at liberty as soon as the
inquest is concluded. If not before They were ar
rested by the order of the Coroner and it is known
tl.at neither Inspector Byrnes nor Captain Killlea
was willing to take the responsibility of the
arrests although both acquiesced IN the hope that
some information would be obtained TO show the
guilt of the two men.
The theory that Robert C. Clapp and Imley had
followed Mrs. Hawkes. and her companion into
Fifty-Seventh-st., under the deluson that
her escort was DR.. Clamp. was the only one
that seemed to meet AL the requirements OF
the case at first It furnished motive for the as
sault as described bv Mrs. II lwkes. 1t was known
that DR.. Clapp had been much in the company of
Mrs Hawkes. and he had admitted that the family
quarrel was bitter enough to warrant an assault
upon him by his brother. Mr.. Gutermuth had
been struck down with a pair of brass
knuckles. and it was asserted that lmley
carried such wearon and had been
known to boast of doing so. He and Clapp had
been mixed up in fight and had been arrested to-
gether The personal resemblance between DR..
Clapp and Mr. Gutermuth was thought to be
good EXPLANATION of mistake the part of the
assailants. Subsequent testimony, however. has
tended to show that there only one assailaut,
and that he was known personally to Mr.. Gutter
muth as well as to Mrs. Hawkes.. The failure or
refusal of Mrs Hawkes. to identify either Clapp or
Imley has been a crushing blow to the theory of
their guilt. Coroner Merllle and the police still
assert that Mrs. Hawkes. holds the key to the mvs-
terry and that she could tell enough to explain it if
she were willing
A TRIBUNE reporter called last evening on Cor
oner Merkle and Captain lileaof the Twenty-sec-
Ond Precinct to ascertain whether they had learned
any additional facts in regard 10 the case. We
have not discovered ANYTHING new" said the Cor
oner :" hut we expect to do so before Monday. |
have gone into this case with al my heart ard |
mean TO sift il to the bottom. This Mrs. Hawkes. is
a very bad and very smart woman. She knows a
great deal more than she has told anyone yet"
"Suppose she will not say anything MORE" said
Then ven find some other way to fix the guilt
Of these men, Clapp and Imley. They are the guilty
persons beyond a doubt. Mrs. Sherwood knows
more than she has told the reporters. and shall
make her speak next Monday. As for the man Rus
sell. l have directed the police, to make 2
. ffr,n oil
find him. There is something very peculiar in The
resolute silence maintained by every one connected
with the matter sh3nd not be SURPRISED if Mrs.
something. Mr. Rogers too, did state to Inspector
Byrnes and ne that Imlev showed him brass
knuckles, although Rogers denied that fact at the
Captain Killilea also adhered to the theory that
ClaPp and l%5ey were the, the oas ,d have
more than they have told believe it was ar
ranged the very first that all of them should say
ed that the police of this precinct were slow in get
ting to work on this case; but that is not o.
sent bo oT man to after RoosS netmu RBoPa
assaulted, and he WIS refused all information |
myself went eight times TO see Mrs. Hawkes., and
was unable to do so, until tod Miss Clapp that |
her to do So She consented TO me then; but by !
the time l arrived at her house, Gutermuth had |
{" is there any new development in the casel'
81 have new witness under surveillance. HIS |
testimony, however. Will he OF little value. lie |
is a Waterman AT a new building in Fifty-seventh-
ST. ] do not wish TO give his name. He heard two |
men run by his p nee on the night of the assault and
on going ont found Miss Clapp with Guermuth's |
head in her lap. Mrs Hawkes. and a man came up
soon after In few moments a policeman appeared |
and summoned an ambulance. We still work
ing hard on the case and expect To find out some
thing before Monday: Mrs. Hawkes. when she de-
MED at the inquest that she knew any of the six
men brought QUO for Identification, kept her eyes
John X Imley. one of the arrested men, was born
in this city. of jewish parents. His father kept
secondhand store in Nnth-aVe., between Twenty
eighth and Twenty-ninth-sts. He was originally
an eXpressman and afterward went into the private
detective business with Detectives Tilly and
Heidelberg. He was not remarkably successful in
this calling. Several years ago he married in
this city a young woman named Marietta Mer-
scream. Her father was David Mersereau, who
owned some property in the city and lived IN Thir-
ty-sec0nd-st., between Seventh and EIghth-aves
Miss Mersereau's mother was sister of DR.. J. 5.
Lake who has an office in Ihird-st., near Broad
way. Her parents objected to the match. Both
parents died year or two afterward and she in
herited property valued at about $4,000. This
upper part OF the city about three, years
ago. DR.. Lake was not satisfied with the
cations. Being urged by the relatives of the dead
woman not TO make any trouble, he gave up his in
lulrleS His opinion was that the wOman's death
had been caused partly by prvatlon and pa:tly by
lmeys bad treatment. Dr. Lake said yesterday
that hnley was thorough scOundTeL
1t was stated yesterday that Mrs. Hawkes. was
Webb. Her father was a patrolman in the Fifth
Precinct for several years, and lived from 1860 I'LL
81 at No. DOminick-st. Miss Webb Is described
- having been at that time a dashlng young
woman. She always bewaIled the fact that she had
lot CROUCH money to enable her to dress as
veil wished. When MIR. Stagg. the Cafor-
man. made his appearance, ablaze with jewelry and
we'll supplied with money he made easy conquest
IF the mercenary beauty. She Is said TO have met
hlm first III Baltimore, whence he followed her 10
his city. In short time afterward he took her to
Jalliornla with HIM. She was not there considered
remarkably handsome woman, but was at tTactIVe
~ reason of her dashing manners. She
vas at home yesterday No. 9l7
,eventE-ave. she informed a TRIBUNE reporter