New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-15
THE GUTERMUTH TRAGEDY.
BEGINNING THE CORONER's INQUEST.

assembled at noon yesterday around the Coroners
office in Chatham-st. In the Office were few curl
osity-seekers, a number of lawyers and few re-
Dorters, who waited patiently for Coroner Merkle
to begin the investigation into the cause and man.
ner Of the death Of Louis w. Gutermuth. At
O'clock the room was filed with people, many Of
whom were unable to find seats The various
theories of the case which have been
published and the mystery surrounding it
had aroused much interest; and there was a con-
slant buzz OF conversation until Coroner Merkie
appeared. The jurors we're soon in their places and
were sworn. At long table in front of the Cor
oner's desk sat the counsel of the persons impli-
Gated For Robert C.. Clapp, Charles p. Crosby,
Theodore c. Sears and Leo c. Dessar appeared;
for Mrs. Hawkes., John d. Townsend, and for John
X. Imley. l.. J. Morrison.
INSPECTOR BYRNEs's TESTIMONY.
The clock on the wall pointed to precisely six
minutes after when Coroner Mcrklc called to the
stand Inspector Byrnes who after giving his name,
residence and occupation. was directed to make
full statement of ali that lie knew about the case.
This he did as fOllows:
On Monday when reading the papers first learned OF
Gutermuths death. | sent men TO the Coroners, 70
Mrs. Hawkes. house, and to the Rossmore Hotel to
gather what they could concerning IT, In the afternoon
learned that sir Rogers a bookkeeper at the Ross
more familiar with all the facts IN the case sent
for him to to the detective Office that EVENING"
and IN the meantime. learning tbat Coroner Mere had
the case IN nand, gave notice TO him. The two ar,
his suspicious the Coroner and myself giving the req
SONS wny he thought that Robert {, ClapP and man
named Imey committed the assault lie said that imley
and Clapp had Deen implicated IN an affair Of this KIND
before and that after mat offence lniey IN MS presence
III the hOSsnore HOTEL showed paE OI DIass Ahuehes
Mr.. Townsend here interrupted the witness, and,
addressing the Coroner SAID:
wish TO ask question Of considerable Importance.
Is my client Mrs Hawkes., arrested as partieeps erinis
OF Is she detained as witness II she IL arrt-ted as
criminal oDjec to the Introduction 0t TINS testimony
Coroner Merke-She Is detained as witness
Mr.. Crosby-Mr. Coroner, 1 am aware thai any ques-
ons asked asked through your coartesy ap'
pear for Robert C. Capp and must obee to my clients
Coroner Merkc-He is under suspicion and it Is not
necessary that You should interrupt with your Questions
Tue jury Is here to ind how the deceased man died. ana
at whose hands.
Inspector Byrnes then continued his statement,
saying:
MI Rogers made some other statements Coroner
seen Dr. Clapp The Coroner did think sick.
quarters ana her examined did SO aud found
tnat not sick There also Miss Clapp pres-
ent who wished 10 stay all night. We pernteI ner TO
do and the two women slept together IN large bed.
That is all that personally know about the case.
the evening OF the murder of Guternutn A-So; that
was in previous affair
murder Al DO not know.
At this point Alr. Morrison, the counsel for Imey,
rose and said to the Coroner:
Iappear for Mr.. finley. should like to ask the In
spectOr he arrested Iney the statement OF Rogers
The WItness-I arrested him pdrIy the statement
Of Mr. Rogers and pary on the direction OF the Coroner
Coroner Merkle-IO prevent further questioning on
this point viii state tnat directed the Inspector to
make the
Mr. Crosby-I would ik. to know how long before the
attack GU Gutermuth Mr. Rogers said the rs assault
Coroner Merke-That is altogether immateral- It
was some time ago
MRS. HAWKES. EXAMINED.
Inspector Byrnes was then dismissed aud Mrs.
Hawkes. was called. She has been called "the key
to the situation" and she entered the room there
WAS general movement to obtain a good view of
her. She accompanied by her father William
Webb, who took a seat by the side of Mr. Townsend,
while Mrs Hawkes. went upon the stand. Mrs
Hawkes. is tall, rather handsome woman with
full figure. Her har is dark brown almost black,
and hung in loose waves about her forehead while
at the back it was coiled. Her eyes are large and
dark brown, with well-defned black brows and
long lashes. Her nose is aquiline. but not large.
Her mouth is rather ragh with full red lips. Her
checks yester ,ay were flushed with excitement and
she bore no appearance whatever of illness. She
wore a close lifting costume Of yellOwishdrab ma
terial; large brown straw hat trimmed with
brown and white ostrich feathers and faced around
the brim with brown satin. She wore tan. colored
Bernhardt gloves, and held in her
hand white cambric handkerchief Her
shoes were patent leather CATERS, with
cloth tops of the same material her dress. A
vari-cOlored silk handkerchief around her neck
was fastened in front by gold brooch with but
terfy In enamel in the centre and in her were
a pair of large, circular gold earrings. In the
course of the examination her mouth twitched
Sigh tly. she tapped her feet on the floor, gazed
restlessy around the room and appeared generally
nervous. She answered The qUestlons however, In
clear steady voice As soon as she was seated the
Coroner SAID 10 her:
hut fho atofnr ,a1a IA
Mrs Hawkes. (sharply)-Ido
Q-Haye you anything 10 add 1t A.-No.
The Deputy Coroner then began TO read the state
ment of Mrs. Hawkes. When about half way
through the document the clerk found himself una-
ble 10 decipher the writing and the Coroner finished
the reading Mrs. Hawkes. in the meantimo impa.
tienlly tapping the floor with her foot and twltch-
ing her mouth.
Mr. Morrison TO Mrs Hawkes)-when this assault was
made was it light enough for you TO see faces
Mrs. Hawkes. cOua tho face OF one, the trst
saiant who had round face and dark moUsac5e.
Coroner Meykle-Ths question is suDerhuons. The
facts are I'm the testimony
taken IDENTITY. wish to show that it is not
The COroner-Go on, then.
Mr.. MorrsOnFrOn The position OF toe first assailant
could he see Mr. Gutermuthi
Mrs Hawkes-Mr Gutermuth turned around toward
him II was done SO, 50 suddenly that could not tell
Coroner Merkle questions are out OF place The
witness IL not under cross-cXa minatiOn.
Mr.. TOwnsend-Wiu you ask the witness II she can
Coroner Merkle 10 Mrs Hawkes. you do sol
Mrg. Hawkes-NO.
Mr.. Townsend-Do you know anyone whom you might
suspect
Mira. Hawkes-NO.
A iuror-DO you know Robert Clappl
Mrs Hawkes-No. never saw him till yesterday.
Coroner Merke-I wish explain why arrested this
lady thought she simulated sickness, and knew somer
thing about the shall hold her under IS 900
bail for appearance as witness
Mrs Hawkes. signed her testimony, and then took
seat beside Mr. Townsend.
WHAT THE BOOKKEEPER OF THE RossMoRE KNOWS.
The Coroner then called for Ebenezer III. Rogers,
bookkeeper OF the Rossmore Hotel. lie is hand.
some man, with high forehead and brownish hair
slightly tinged with gray. lie has dark eyes aud
long light brown moustaohe. lie wore blue and
IL ~, nt,innd slIf hlnck silk nncliin tied In o.