Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-12
The Herrick Tragedy.

THE POLICE MAKING EFFORTS TO CLEAR UP
THE BROOKLYN MURDER MYSTERY.
The murder of Albert X. Herrick, one of the
proprietors of the restaurant 60 William street,
New York, at his residence, 800 Pearl street,
Brooklyn, on Monday afternoon, an account of
which published in yesterdays STAR, is
still exciting great interest in New York and
Brooklyn. Until last Saturday Mr.. Herrick
and his stepsOn, Thomas J. Armstrong, who is
now under arrest, it is said, slept together in
the large double bed on the parlor floor the
other members Of the family being out Of town.
There were, however, four other beds up stairs,
and these all seem to have been used recently
Portions of q woman's wardrobe, which are not
supposed to have belonged to any of the female
members of the family, on account of the coarse
ness of the material, were found on the hat rack
near the front door when the house was first
entered by the police after the discovery of the
murder. From the start the detectives fixed
on the stepsOn as the murderer, and since his
arrest have directed all their energies to fas-
tening the guilt on him. So far this theory is
based on suspicion, as there Is no positive proof
that he was seen anywhere near the house at
the time OF the murder. He has made nothing
resembling an admission of guilt. The last
time he saw his stepfather, he says, was on Sat
urday morning, and he processes to be able to
account for every minute of his time between
that hour and when he was arrested at mid
night on Monday night at the house of Mrs.
PersOn, his aunt, in HObOken. Until a late
hour on Monday night the detectives were in
the dark as to Armstrong; whereabouts and
would probably have remained so had not a
young man named Murphy directed them to
Hoboken.
Mrs. Sammis. of 33S Jay street, who saw the
murderer making his escape over the back
fences and pass into the hall Of 50 Myrtle ave.
nue., was absent from the city yesterday at
tending the funeral of a relative. This was q
disappointment to the police, as they were anx-
iOus that she should confront the accused as
soon as possible Her description. especially as
regards the clothing, corresponds with the
prisoner. To-day ten or twelve men, among
whom the prisoner will be placed, will be ex-
hibited before Mrs. Sammis, and she will be
ns -nhf .tnI ont ia mo CtNnc
1t is denied that any bad feeling existed be.
tween MIR. Herrick and his stepson. Some per
sons who knew them well and were In the habit
OF seeing them together say that they were like
brothers. This fact. however, has been estab-
lished: On Saturday morning Mr.. Herrick or.
dered It'll, the Young man out OF the and
there again. The following information is also
given by Mr.. A. D. Holbert, Mr. Herrick's part
ner:
when Mr.. Herrick left the store on Monday
afternoon know that he was anxious to get to
BROOKLYN as soon as possible to make inquiries
for Wechsler q Abraham. Before obtaining
the place for his son Mr.. Herrick was obliged to
give security for him to the extent Of 81 900.
get into trouble, and he left here to cato the
firm to see about Withdrawing the security"
., II Is said that Mrs; Herrick always took the
side of her son in his quarrels with her hus-
band, and that she privately supplied him with
money.
Armstrong shows no indication of breaking
oOwn. The approaches to his cell are closely
watched, and with the exception of the police
0mcials no one is allowed to see him. Yester-
day ne exhibited an interest in learning the de.
taiis OF the tragedy, and as they were unfolded
70 nm Dy Detective Zundt he showed consider.
aDie emotion. Once he exclaimed sit was ter.
rlDie." He continues to profess his entire limo
cehce OF the crime, and he Is confident he will
be cleared. =, ="
Mrs. Herrick returned from her summer
nome IN The Catskills last night with her nurse
anu paby, Q lady friend who had accompanied
, her from the city, and Mr.. Hubert, her hus-
Danu partner. As she crossed the threshold q
cry Oh agony escaped her lips. She would have
her. -'' -o' -