Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-07
,SouruxI suN GOmisr.
Friday, December 2, 1883.
The Madison Murder.

Looking For Clues-The Burial Of the
 Murdered Man-ARscting and Impress
 s1ve SceneE-BlOOd Stained Clothing.
 The funeral of EIdridge Johnson, who was murdered in North Madison Sunday night, took place yesterday afternoon at o'clock. There YVES very large attendance Hundreds of people were on the grounds and the house was crowded to excess. Many times the face of the deceased with it's gaping wounds was uncovered for neighbors and others wishing to take the last look. The sisters and broth CT of the murdered man looked wearied and worn and bowed with grief. They are well spoken of as worthy people. Relatives from North Haven and Madison were with them. The remains lay in 8 walnut coffin with silver trimmings. Rev. MT. Gidman, of the Con- gregational church, and Rev. MT. Knowles, of the Episcopal, oficiated. Much feeling was exhibited and many sobs were heard as the clereymen referred to the deceased and the tragedy. The remains were buried in the little family buryiAg ground five hundred yards from the house. The question who murdered the deceased was subject dis cussed by the farmers and others gathered at the sad occasion. It seemed to be the opin- ion that quite probably deceased was mur- dered for the small amount of money he had on his person, $15, which with silver watch were taken. But was it done by tramp or by resident of the locality? AS far as known no one in the locality had grudge against deceased. Tramps have been scarce in the locality of late and it was ar- gued that they did not very often leave the main road. Still tramps might have com mitted the horrid crime. Others expressed the view that some one living not mile from the Johnson house did the deed. Beside John Whipper and William Downes, who are under suspicion partly because they knew the deceased and his habits, Charles Collins is now suspected. He is eighteen years old and lives with his parents about opposite from Downes' house. The two families are quite intimate and exchanged calls frequently and young Collins often spent the even- ing at the Downes house. This intimacy appears to be the chief ground for suspecting Collins, who Is an innocent looking young farmer. Collins spent part of Sunday afternoon with Johnson at the latter's house and the idea of fixing the murder upon him is esteemed by the villagers ridiculous, as ''he wouldn't dare kill a hen,'' to quote farmers words. Dismissing Collins from view, this leaves the villagers DoWnes and Whipper to discuss as possibly the persons wanted. Neither of these men act or be- have in a suspicious manner, although close Iy watched as far as possible. Whipper was busy at one time yesterday in showing visitors the charcoal pit where the body was found, and then the Buck Hill ledge where some think the body was at first secreted; also the stones covered with blood. He re- fused to be interviewer, saying he would tell his story before the jury. He is 27 years old and belongs in Waterbury. He was in- dignant that his name had been mentioned as one of the suspected persons.
 Coroner Bollman and the Pinkerton detec. tive spent three hours yesterday with MT. Downes and wife at their home. Downes' pantaloons are to be mlcroscoplcally inspected for blood stains by Dr. White. There are stains upon them Downes' ex- planation was that the stains were chicken blood stains, which came there while he was killing chicken last Monday; that he held the headless body of the chicken up to drain the blood and some of it dropped on his clothes. stained piece cut from Downes' coat sleeve and piece of leather cut from his boots have been given Dr. White to be examined. Farmer Collins says he sold a chicken to Downes on the day that Downes says he killed the chicken. A scratch on DoWpes right hand attracted the coroner's at- tention. When questioned about it Downes said that 1t WAS made while making baskets and explained how easily it could be done to the coroner. While under examination yes- terday Downes told the coroner that he was born in New York city and had lived in North Madison seven or eight months. He was married over a year ago and his wife is North Madison girl. Downes can not imagine how he has become identified
 Eo hat 6ah bod slight acquaintance with Johnson and thinks that he would be the last man in town to be selected for murderer's victim. Johnson was always an inoffensive man in his eyes. His temper, from what little he knew, was inGexible. He never knew of him to be pas sionate. Last Sunday Downes did not leave his home and retired about o'clock in the evening" This is his usual retiring hour. An arrest, it was expected yesterday, would be made soon.