Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-20
NEW YORK.

Harriet Be1I's Murder-A Crank Pretends
 Full Knowledge of the Crime-Rum at
 the Bottom of his Crimes.
 NEW YORK, March 19.-The general theory of the Boston police in regard to the myste- rious murder of Mrs. Harriet Bell two weeks ago is that immediately after the killing of Mrs. Bell the murderer fled to this city, and they still suspect that he is concealed here. Owing to the failure of dozen or more al- legged clews in this city alone the detectives have become disheartened and doubt if the detection of the cool and cunning murderer will ever be accomplished. Friday night a message was sent by Sergeant Cahill to In, spector Dilks at headquarters to the effect that he had man under arrest who claimed to know all about the Boston murder. The telegram was based upon the statements made by stranger to a policeman, and, although the prisoner was held to await de- veIopments, there was but little doubt in the minds of his captors of the falsity of his as- sertions, for they openly gave it as their opinion that he was ''crank.' D The circum- stances of the arrest are While patrolling Center street, and when near the Tombs, at a quarter past o'clock Friday night, Police man Judson Golden was stopped by 8 dark complexioned young man, about five feet seven or eight inches tall of slim build, wearing side whiskers and poorly dressed, who, in an excited way, inquired for Chief Inspector Byrnes. The policeman looked at the man closely, whereupon the latter stated that he wanted to see the Inspector on i'm portant and serious business. Golden said that he would take him to Inspector Byrnes and while they were walking up the street together the stranger said to the officer, 'I might as we'll tell you what I want the h. spector for. I know all about the Boston murder" The policeman took the man to the Mulberry street station house, where he gave his name as Walter H. Perrin, said he was twenty-three years old and an engraver by trade. In answer to the questions put to him Perrin stated that he arrived from Bos- ton early in the day and intended stopping at the Howard Lodging House. on the Bowe- ry. He told the story of the killing of Mrs. Bell exactly published, with the exception of stating that the woman was murdered be- cause when her daughter Villa became of age she would inherit $6,OO0. Perrin declared that he knew the murderer well and had handled the blood stained knife with which Mrs. Bell had been stabbed to death. He refused to give the name or address of the alleged murderer, but promised that if he was taken to Boston he would point the murderer out to the police, Sergeant Cahill, while cross questioning Perrin, hinted that he might possibly be the man wanted for the crime.
 Among the prisoners arraigned before Jus tice Smith at the Tombs Court this forenoon was Perrin. Officer Golden, who made the arrest, was in court and stated to the Justice his reasons for taking the prisoner into GUS tody. In court Perrin was much Abashed. He explained to Justice Smith that he had formerly resided in Boston, and the mystery surrounding Mrs. Bells murder had puzzled him deeply. During the past few days he had been drinking, and presumed that his mind was not very clear when he accoStsd Officer Golden and was examined by Sergeant Cahill. The Justice accepted Perrin's ex- planation and discharged him. with the advice that if he gave up tippling he would not find himself in such an embarrassing position.