Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-12
The stratford Mystery.
The Detectives All at Sea But Working
 Hard.

The Detectives All at Sea But Working
 Hard.
 STRATFoRD, Sept. Il.
 The detectives at work here are apparent Iy no nearer the solution of the mysteri. ous problem, "Who killed Rose Ambler. ?'' than they were week ago. Their theories are conflicting and confusing The latest in regard to Mir. Curtis is his cane. He brought small bamboo cane of peculiar pattern to Stratford and kept it constantly with him. The detectives say the cane has not been seen since the night of the murder. They want to find 1t.
 Detectives Wood and Arnold still suspect Lewis and lay great stress upon the fact that although Rose was seen going toward Lewis house, no one saw her leaving it, although, according to the testimony of the Lewis family, she must have started on her home ward journey when there were great many people on the streets.
 William Peck, his employer, said that when Lewis came to bitch up at about half past two on the Monday morning after the tragedy, he was whistling loudly as was his custom, and seemed as unconeerned and light-hearted as usual. When, how ever, he returned from Birmingham and heard the sad news he became at once downcast and dejected. "When my uncle died" continued Mir. Peck, 'Lewis, who was much attached to him, preserved stolid face at the funeral, and exhibited no emotion whatever, but in the last week I found him several times crying quietly by himself in the barn. He always got furious when a word was said against Rose Clark, and would not speak to me for months because once spoke of her as light woman"
 Another clue worked by Detective Bibbins concerns an unknown negro, seen in New Haven the morning after the murder. His hand was wrapped in blood.soaked hand kerchief. He was big and burly and seemed almost exhausted, as though he had been running long distance. Conductor McGee, of the early milk train, saw the negro near the New York and New Haven station here and accosted him. The fellow numbled an indistinct reply and hurried away.
 Deputy Coroner Joyce found a vest button near the scene of the murder and after keep ing it for week handed it over to 8 detect i've. A broken and bent signet ring has also been found near the place where the body was found. It now appears as if all the vari- ous clues had been abandoned. The New York detectives were not seen here to-day, and Curtis also has gone to New York. The coroner's inquest will be resumed tomorrow morning at s o'clock and it is expected that reporters will be admitted.
 A venerable gentleman, 8 relative of MT. L. D. Curtis, states that MT. Curtis came to Stratford just before the middle of July, re- maining guest of MT. Asa s. Curtis from Tuesday until the following Friday. From Stratford he proceeded to Milford, where he engaged board for month until room could be provided for him at Samuel Benja- minis boarding house on Main street, H About three weeks ago word was sent that his room was vacant and he immediate ly removed what few effects he carried to the quiet Benjamin mansion. From that time on Curtis WAS in the habit of making daily visits to his cousins residence on Elm street, at the rear of Academy Hill. He is described as being a quiet gentleman, whose changing around 8 saloon' or becoming mixed in any manner with the usual country gossip Mir. Curtis seldom read paper, took none of his own and although offered daily by Mir. A. s. Curtis did not care to take it with him.. Only on one occasion did he become interest ed in any publication, that being a story in the Serni-Weekly Times. Although his name has been mentioned for several days with the handle of mysterious stranger" he first learned that his actions were being criticised yesterday noon. The statements that have been made saying ms fr1endS were much exercised over the fact of suspicion be- ing pointed toward him are overdrawn and without foundation as his uncle and aunt did not hear of 'fbeing excited" until Sun- day morning.
 The missing cane of aMr. Curtis was found by the servant girl of his house on the fence on Monday, and as to his "scratched and cut'' hands it was explained that MT. Curtis twas always whittling, and invariably out towards him. Three or four days ago he gut his finger and tied rag on it. Anything mysterious about that?" said the venerable gentleman, who thereupon warmly expressed indignation at the way MT. Curtis name had been used tn connection with the case. The bamboo cane hunt of the detectives will be abandoned.
 Mir. l.. D. Curtis, the mysterious stran- yer," was seen with his bamboo cane at the 5tratford depot yesterday morning. His 1ands were not sufficiently torn and scratch ,d" to attract particular attention.