Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-05

A Dramatic Scene.

TIE CRIMINAL DIscovKRED-THE rELL-rALI JACK
KNIFE
From the Philadelphia Times. to-day
The Watson murder mystery Is no more mys-
terry In all human probability the murderer OF
pretty Ella Watson, the daughter OF Farmer George
watson, OF Salem county, has been found The
evidence which to-day woye strand by strand
rope around the neck OF Howard Sullivan. the ne
gro driver OF John Elwells team, is more like bit
OF romance taken from Gaboriau than scene from
life IN quiet Jersey township. Prosecutor Shape
and Sheriff Coles to-day Justly the proudest of
Salem countys officials step by step evidence mas
been gathered and web or proof has been grad
TALLY woven by most ingenious and almost tncOn-
trovertible reason
THE EXAMINATION YESTERDAY.
when the three accused negroes, sullivan, Jones
and Henley, were brought into the Justices office
for examination yesterday neither they nor the
sheriff himself expected the dramatic scenes which
would ensue. Sullivan had not the remotest idea
that any clue that could possibly imprcate him
9ad been obtained He rather expected acQuittaL
Jones and Henley appeared anxious and troubled
Inc nrst witness was John Coleman, who found the
the purpose Of establishing the fact OF the murder
IN addition, however, he testified TO the tracks
Leading to the spot OF the attack He said: 81 ex.
aulined tnen. They led no Turther. From that
examination and scrutiny of the shoes worn by
sullivan, am OF the opinion that those shoes made
scarcely moved a feature of his face out the mus
cles OF bis leg began to tremble. When Coleman
retired sulnvans tremor vanished He TOOK more
comfortable position in his CHAIR He evidently
thought the danger past. A look OF defiance seemed
10 creep into his heavy, Sui.en features and when
actually smiled
THE STORY OF TEE MURDER
was quickly retold. The shoe theory that fitted so
many shoes was again rotted out sullivan even
looked pleased He comfortably recrossed his legs.
"But there is another thing" said Sheriff Coles,
after an ominous pause. The prisoner stared mo-
ba ov,I lie, ty,
SuiVans boots are identical with those In the foot
prints The heels had been worn on one slde expos
Ing certain nails"
lie heid the shoes to view. They had been re-
heeied The nails were peculiarly irregular. Sulli-
vans almost inlpercep1ble tremor came back upon
him. TO all appearances he was unlIoved. Sheriff
Coles was about to take his seat when Prosecutor
Shape stood up and arrested him with motion.
he negigently kept one hand in his pocket. With
sudden motion he held niS hand alOit, saying at
the same time:
"Sher11, do you recognize this knlfe?"
THE FATAL KNIFE.
In the sharp food OF light streaming In the open
window, distinctly outlined with the vv1dness OF
silhouette picture he held to view knife-an ordi-
nary jack-knire. Before Sheriff Coles could answer
a "ori the prisoner had jumped to his leet He
shook with fear.
lit amt my knife; fore God never seen it =! he
shouted: Then he sank back trembling into his
seat The climax had been reached. Prosecutor
Shapes great effort had been rewarded. The pris-
oner had with his own hands tied the hangmans
khot al Ills throat He recognized as his the fatal
X lie with which the murderous cub had been cut
Inc whole Scene had occupied but few seconds,
Dut IL was July minute DeiO. any one spoke
Inc two negro suspects. Jones and Henley, ex-
changed pleased and knowing looks with each other
Jones countenance lIghieneu up il lile-burden
niu just been removed from his shoulders Sull-
van FORM appeared 10 collapse in utter despair.
Snelln Goes told the story Of The tell-tale knife
THAT knife belonged TO Howard Sullivan" he sad,
"untl Two days alter the murder, when Sullivan
SOFA IL TO George Barton. Jr OF Woodstown tor ten
cents lie next day young Barton showed his bar
gam 10 his Iather and Told him OF whom he had
purchased 1t. That is not so much OF u bargain
SAID Barton, ST. Look al the Two great hicks In
the blade"
NEAT BIT OF DETECTIVE WORK
Among other possible clues Sheriff Coles studied
the club found near the murdered girls body. Run
ming like two bands through the length Of each
distinct cut were Two curious lines. At length the
cause daWned upon the officials mind. the lines
We're caused by TWO jagged hicks in the blade Of
When the sheriff found out that Sullivan had sold
knife with hicks in the blade he list no time in
getting It.. Yesterday Prosecutor Shape took bit
OF Dranch and cut IL with the knife. Then. under
powerful magn1ner, the murderOuS club and the
Dranch were eXamin Il. The lines of the Jagged
dents in both were identical
After sheriff Coles had identified the knife and
toid lts story Constable William Carney added TO
IT, He had carefully examined the loot prints vis-
De near the BODY and had measured them. Suli-
vans oOotS were OF the same measurement. The
break caused by hail sole made the Identification
complete.
sullivan was Immediately removed to the Salem
jail ana placed In the murdererS cell No one is
allowed 10 see him. Jones and Henley viii be de-
ta1ned as witnesses The whole affair was con-
sons in Sa4en knew that the murderer OF Ella Wat
son lad been found.