New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-31
WAS HE MURDERED TWELVE YEARS Aeos
STRANGE CONFESSION IN YoNKERs ABOUT =
MAN WHO MYsTERroUsLY DISAPPEARED
IN THE SEVENTIES.

MAN WHO MYsTERroUsLY DISAPPEARED
IN THE SEVENTIES.
About twelve or fifteen years ago, Philip Happei,
who about sixtyi five years old and who lived In
Yonkers, disappeared under strange circumstances.
He last alive while returning from schueeD
Fest In Hoboen. where he had been with some friends.
Happel was hard drinker, and Inclined to go
casons sprees His friends in Yonbers after making
diligsnt search for him decided that he had fallen
overheard and drowned. The disappearance OF
Happe had been forgotten by most of the people IN
Yonker when last night startling report was circu-
lated that the police had got possession of evidence
to show that Happel murdered, and that number
Of the persons supposed to be connected With
his death are now residents Of Yonkers.
On Tuesday Chief John Msngin, of the Yonkers
police was informed that Jacob seperle, who hyes
In Waverly-st, Yonkers, knew something about ths
disappearance Of Happel- Chief Mangn yesterday
sent for seperle and when the latter called Police
Headquarters he was taken into Chief Mangns private
room There Seperle told the Chief story which
tho latter al first inclined 10 discrcdit seperis
said that Andrew Peterson, who died about eighteen
months ago. informed him on several occasions that
HappeI had been murdered and shortly before no
died told him that Happel had bccu
killed in Henry Flecks liquor-shop, at Warburton
ave- and Nepperhan-st, Yonkers. On being questioned
closely Sepcrle made some conflicting statements, and
the Chief finally told him TO 90 home and think the
matter over and to Police Headquarters ia tbs
evening In the meantime Chief Mangin sent for
Fleck and informed him Of the startling statement
made by seperle, which implicated Fleck The latter
Indignantly denied knowing anything about Happei's
DEATH and demanded investigation so far as hs
was concerned.
seperle appeared at Police Headquarters hast night
and told Chief MsngIn that he fully prepared to
make sworn statement TO what had been told
him by Peterson regarding Happel's death Sepere
A. ~. De rrfua nd MAJ a
following statement which was reduced to writing
About seven years ago Andrew Peterson. living ia
yonkers told that Philip Happel murdered and
that his body buried in the well In the cellar OF
Fecks house. Peterson told that Happel was killed
by himself and others Fecks saloon and that the body
said HapDe owed Fieck for board and that
tired Of keeping him and that he wanted 70 gcs
Peterson told number Of times about Hap
peps disappearance and he always told the same story
He also told this just before he died. Abous
A week ago was in Powell Bettss store, under tbs
Getty House Belts asked me Il knew old HappeL
I said res He said Ibid you know that Fleck killed
Happe r. He told me TO go F1eek and intimate that
knew something about Happel, and 70 ask him for $50
and would refuse did not ask Fleek
for the money. Powell Belts said that man By tho
name Of George Plson present when Fleck killed
Happel
Chief Mangin then sent for Powell Belts, who Is
merchant tailor under the Getty House. and Be;ts
said that he had son. named George Belts, living
at Spuyten DuyviL He returned to YonkeIs on ono
occasion shortly after Peterson died. He asked him
II no ever bad heard anything about Happeps dis
appearance. He said man by the name OF Percivai
or Dan. Cocoran, told him that Peterson told Flick
In HIS presence that he could hang him.
Captain Mangin, after consultation with Mayor
Bell decided TO notify Coroner sutton OF sing Sing.
That official Immediately went down to Yonkers,
and after Icing informed of the facts. ordered tbs
well In Flecks cellar which had hen flied up, 20
be excavated At p m. gang OF laborers were
put 10 work digging out the well, which is twenty
feet deep. Coroner sutton returned to his homo
in Sing Sing and left squad of police under command
of Sergeant Mclaughlin, IN charge Of the work
Chief Mangin said II was the intention to work all
night on the excavation and he expected that tho
bottom OF the well would be reached some time this
morning The Chief said that II IL was true that
Happers body had been thrown In the WELL there
would certainly be some trace OF the remains. IL
nothing was found the matter would then be dropped
by the police. Last night Chief Mangsn questioned
Belts as 70 why he had not revealed PeteTsons
statement BEFORE when he replied that he was
afraid TO say anything about the matter for fear 10
would get him into trouble.