New-York tribune., 1884-02-04

ALlD SUSPECTED OF MURDER.
MIsCHIEvoUs YOUTH WATCHED IN VAIN BY DE-
TECTIVES
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRrBUSE.l

TECTIvEs.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRTBUSEl
NEW HAVEN, Feb. "a dispatch to The
Necs says Coroner Belmanh has been much Interested
lately In house Chestnut HILL In KilliDgworth, about
mile from the coal pit where Edridge Johnson was muir
dered several weeks ago. The place known the Old
Wilcox House. II has long been occupied by an old man.
Ebenezer Dow his wife aud their grandson Charles Dow
who is now about nineteen years old
Ever since Charles Dow able TO walk he
has exhibited vicious character, and
before he was ten years old he a
terror neighborhood. Malicious mischief was his
particular delight; and If unucky farmer caught him
breaking eggs or killing young chickens, and punished
him. that farmers cattle would be turned into field In
which grain growing Of his calves or young
would from the pasture MANNED or disfgred
Once newcomer to Madison sOundly thrashed the
boy for stealing chickens. The next day the neighbors
were called out to crtinguish fire that was
rapidly eating its way through the dry grass
OF the field I'm which the hasty-tempered
formers barns situated; and II was only after the
greatest exception that the building saved As 1t was
the fire had destroyed several tons OF valuable standing
hay 1t was proved that this fire was started by
the Dow boy, but every resident Of North Madison
except his grandparents believed that he guilty,
"He became boder and bolder, and at last George
Lane who had suffered from the boys chicken stealing
propensities had warrant issued for his arrest
This warrant placed in tho hands OF hhr1h
Wright: but as Charles had threatened to shoot
any one who attempted TO arrest him. he remained at lib
erty for q time. At last a posse Of several men,
headed by Sheriff Wright, surrounded the Wilcox house
at night and demanded the boy of his grandparents
Charles was equal the occusiOn however He out
of the back door, broke through the ring and escaped to
the woods the astOnhed farmers had recovered
from the fear OF being shot This occurred nearly year
ago. and nothing had been Of Mr. DOws grandson for
nearly ten months, when the farmers again began to
miss chickens from their henroOsts, and small articles
from their barns. CnaIlie Dow has come back, was the
thought that crossed the farmers minds they counted
their diminished Ocks OF chickens hunted for miss
ing tool; but nothing could be seen OF him.
"A neghbOr who called on old Mr.. Dow, few days
before EdI1dge Johnson murdered heard Charles
Dow talking with his grandmother In adjoining room
After this a close watch kept the Wilcox House,
aud at last he seen looking rom the
garret window; and many persons claim lhat tney
havo passed him the road at night.
after the first excitement occasOned by the hndlng OF
the mutiaed body OF Edrdge johnson had passed. and
the detectives had failed to find any direct evidence
against Whipper Downs suspicion began to be di-
rected toward Charles Dow; but nothing ab0ut him was
made public the detectives feared he might escape
before they could evidence enough to arrest him
Prominent residents OF North Madison haye no
of numbering Eldrdge johnson for tho Sl2
Sl3 he is known TO nave had
In his pocket but the most faithful search has failed to
unearth any evldc against him. further than the fact
that he is thoroughly bad character and was concealed
vicinity ohnsOns coal pit at the time the crime
been conducted by Benan and his detectives
quietly but he became alarmed In some way, ana during
the latter of last week lie left his place OF conceal
ment, and his movements at present are unknown"