The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-03-22

Inc arrest OF David ID. fisher. q y0uug
man living in Salem, on Thursday Of last
week. by United States Marshal Davis, of
Camden, on a warrant issued attlle instance
of Postal Inspector Hugh J.. German, caus-
ed quite a stir in this community when the
circumstances which led to the arrest were
made public, as the parties concerned IN
the affair are known to many in our town.
The arrest was the outcome Of an ~investi-
CATION which has been under way for sew
eral months pisst by the postal authorities
in Philadelphia, the object being to discov-
er the writer of a number Of anonymous
letters of an exceedingly obscene character.
addressedto Miss Annie Armstrong of Cam
den. Fisher was not charged with writing
the letters, but the writing on one Of
the envelopes was 50 nearly like his that
the arrest was made with the hope that the
following up of the clue might lead to the
discovery of the principals in the crime,
who are still at large. Fisher was taken
before Commissioner Cassidy. in Camden.
and bail was entered by Miss Armstrong
in the sum Of $500 for his appearance for a
hearing yesterday. The hearing took place
in the office of Commissioner Cassaday. in
Camden, where Fisher interests were ably
represented by G. II. Sinnickson. Esq, Of
Salem, while Assistant District Attorney
Hayes, of Newark, conducted the case for
the prosecution. The only evidence intro
duced against Fisher was a slip Of paper
on which he had written Miss Armstrong;
address, the writing of which was singu-
larry like that on one of the envelopes. and
the statement that the writing looked like
his. made to Inspector German and Mar
shall Davis. The good character of the
defendant was adduced for the defence,
together with the fact that he was a cousin
of the young lady, and they had always
been on good terms. The defendant on the
stand denied addressing the letter, and dis
claimed any connection with the writing,
addressing or mailing of them. Miss
Armstrong, in her testimony, expressed
her belief in her cousins innocence, and
stated that at the time she received the let
ter, thought to have been addressed by
Fisher, which was mailed in Salem, be was
boarding at her home in Camden. Other
testimony of an ~unimportant character was
taken, and at the request of Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Hayes, Commissioners Cas-
sadav adjourned the case FOR two weeks.
during which time an effort will be madeto
complete the chain of evidence against the
perpetrators. As the ease against Fisher
had not been sustained, he was held in his
own recognizance to appear at the next
tSNtAi NIX u 0altItAs ! 1T liz liIgI ia ~ Attl
this perse cution has been carried ON is as
follows:
During the month of September, 1887,
on returning to her home after a few weeks
visit in Woodstown, Miss Armstrong COM
menced receiving anonymous communica-
tions, written in the most ~biasphemous and
obscene terms. and containing language
that is beyond the power of pen 10 describe.
These communications continued at various
intervals during September and November,
and were invariably postmarked from
Woodstown. Miss Armstrong bore these
insults quietly, feeling no doubt her ina
bility to discover the Identity of the per-
petrators of such cowardly acts. The let
ters finally ceased coming. aud ne more
were written until in August of last year,
while Miss Armstrong was stopping at
Mrs. Hewitt's boarding house. she received
one morning from the post Office here a let
ter, on which was a one CEN stamp and
the Woodstown post-maIk, containing Ian
guage similar to that used in the previous
letters. After her return home TO Camden
she still continued to be prosecuted with
these vile missives, but more cunning was
used in the mailing as the letters since that
time have been mailed at various points,
namely. Salem, Camden, Philadelphia and
Swedesboro. Not a month has passed
since last September but what has brought
one or more Of these letters. the last one
received being mailed during the latter part
of February. Being convinced that some
measures should be taken to discover the
criminals, Miss Armstrong, early last fall,
placed the matter in the hands Of a friend,
at whom the letters seemed to be aimed,
and he in turn gave the case into the hands
of the post Office authorities in Philadel-
phia. Postal Inspector German was de-
tailed to investigate the case, and the mat
ter has since received his careful attention.
About two weeks ago his attention was
directed to Fisher, and after q visit to Sa-
lem Mr.. German was convinced that he
had discovered q clue, which if followed
up might lead TO the apprehension OF the
principals in the case. Fishers arrest fol-
lowed as described above, and with the re-
suit as stated.
S-