New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-18
THE MURDER OF ROSE CLARK
NO SOLUTION OF THE MYSTERY.

OPINION IN sTRArFoRD-wHAT LEWIS AND HIS
MOTHER SAY ABOUT THE STAINED LAP-RoBE.
IRON AsPEcAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBUNE.l
STRATFORD, Conn.,, Sept. 17.-At an early
hour this morning Detective Arnold put rubber coat
and In company with his comrades Wood aud Bibbins,
took tho early train for the Naugauck Valley That
Birmingham was OF their objective points was an
secret though when Intercepted directly on that
point they dlscreetly eyasve For the
last few days all the grocerymen and others
with whom Lewis has business dealings on
his Birmingham route have been subjected to
the closest examination As already published in THE
TRIBUNE, some of them notably two men named re-
spectyely Woodward and Durand, made certain state
ments which, If they had only been adhered to. would
have gone far to strengthen the chain OF evidence
against Lewis. Unfortunately for the detectives but
fortunately for Lewis the statements have not been
adhered to- Mr.. Durand is uncertain TO what day
Lewis gave him the account OF the murder, and the
point to whether 1t Monday Tuesday its whole
value evidence rests. Mr. Woodward is also said to
be preparing elaborate denial of certain statement
rejecting Lewis which appeared in local paper.
The detectives returned from their trip about midday.
and Immediately afterwards set out in their buggy,
which, with its fast trotter is becoming familiar OBJ
Ject sratford eyes, drive through the village and
around It for mile or two each way. While they were
doing this The TRIBUNE correspondentspent few hours
in chatting with several prominent villagers. BY
some II is believed that there Is already enough
evidence collected against Lewis to warrant
his immediate arrest; others, agreeing with
Coroner Holt think it mprudeDt arrest any one on
what may prove be insufficient evidence while Others
again loudly proclaim their belief IN the suspected mans
entire innocence. In each case, however strong per-
sonal bias evidently has much to do with the opinion
expressed that Lewis bears the reputation OF
being unamiable and OF being subject to fits Of the most
violent passion Captain Clark, the dead woman's
afn OuOda Mt hQ nj w ere of
daughter is employed but beyond nduging in savage
threats against the unknown destroyer Of his house
holds happiness he expressed particular opinion to
any known persons guilt.
Crossing the track dusty road frnged with golden
rod and gentian, trends toward the north and William
Lewiss house. There few signs of life about the
white frame building when the correspondent neared it.
A gray -halred workman snd boy pillng up
lumber which had just been deposited by the roadside to
he used In the construction Of Lewisse house the
opposite to that occupied by his parents THIS
rather striking fact sLewis only week ago had
tearfuy stated that he would never 20 with 1t now
tho prospective mistress had been fOuy murdered
William Lewis himself WAS asleep, but came down IN
response summons. lie has lost little Of his rather
arrogant uncOncern when any questions are put to him,
but there nevertheess to who has seen much OF
HIM lately, apparent nervousness and irrabiity as
II the strain beginning to tell on him He denied
9yhern IL 6as heen reporied he had another Seet-
hearty business. Leastwse, IL hev girl
don't know on It," he said. never stop more'n few
minutes anyhow after my truck SUITS got rid of. Some
times get shaved, but Dfener get back just
ms can, so to 90 Bridgeport the afternoon.
It's enough to maSe any man maditU have lot or de-
ecyes logging his footsteps aud running his trade aud
| filling the papers with lies about him. "
Are any yOur garments In possession OF the detec-
| lives I" asked.
Yes, sir They have shirt besides the lap robe they
making such fuss about Talking OF that, I'll just
ask mother what she knows about the stains on 1t.
| MOther."
In reply to this call rather peasant-looking woman
neatly dressed in black, appeared and with extreme
| yOluDlty said:
guess 1t was about year ago that and my daughter
Anna went to bridgeport TO buy meat ana things
Coming back said To Anna: We'd better put Willies
old lap robe which had with on instead OF the
good one forfear it should lget stained sure enough
when got II home there stain OF blood on IL,
and it's washed three times the stain
never came ont. Will threw II into a and the
detectives pounced ON 1t and think they Il make great
deal OF the stains fear they'll find out their mistake
Lewis tenacOusly 10 his story, said he had no
idea as 10 who committed the deed, and seemed ner-
yOusly anxious to be lot alone.
Detective Wood expressed much surprise when told OF
Mrs. Lewlss statement. He said that the stains were
still bright and fresh In appearance and did not look
have remembered such trivial incident wildly and
stranger that repeated washings had not removed the
| stains.
CioYcrnor Walters proclamation Offering reward oil
! $1,000 yet appeared. Edmund Zacher, OF New
Haven executive secretary 70 the Governor told The
| ThBUSE correspondent to-day that he had no inf0r-
nation the subject Coroner Holt said that he fuly
expected reward would be offered, but did think
it would tend much to elncidate the my stery. The
coroner also said that Professor White had not been
heard and tnat though he hoped III day or two 10
have important Information he had nothing that he
could make pablo az present He seemed IN the course
of conversation TO tnch some importance the story
| tfnt Lewis had another sweetheart. the story goes
that she Is Birmingham girl who Will probably have
| more money than Rose Clark would ever have had
WATERBURY, Conn, sept 17-Watcnman Coffee who
tells the story OF a suspicious that he in con-
necton with the Rose Clark murder case has received
| an anony nous note OF warning from Hartford.