New-York tribune., 1890-01-04
fnr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEI

+birt,,tbrco ,yife Of DR. Arthur s. Kniffin one
of the best-known dentists III this city, was chlo-
roforncd NV some one at a late hour last night or
earlv this morning Her dead body was found
on the bed in her room at half-past this morn
inr and since that hour the police have been
working in vain to find the murderer. No occur
rance in Trenton in recent years has so startled
fine community. Mrs Knifin was good-ookins
woman of light complexion and slight figure, and
was widely known in social circles. Her hus-
bands Office is over Albert w. Patersons
drug store at No 2O6 South Broadst., and their
living apartments are in the same building
South Broad-st. is main thoroughare, bright
with electric lights, lined with stores, shops and
Offices and regularly patrolled by the police.
Yesterday morning DR.. Kninin lett Trenton for
Broadway, village of Warren County, n j.
Dr. William Ii. Shannon, his partner,
took charge of the dental parlor, and
early last evening locked up the place for
the day, removing what money there was i'll the
office. Dr. Knihins little son had gone TO the
house of his grandmother, Mrs Rastein Murphy,
in Cooper-st and it is said that he was kept
there over night owing to the fact that he was
frightened at home in the latter part of Novem-
ler when burglars, during the absence of Dr.
Knifin, entered tie house and created some eN-
element Shortly before 0 O'Clock last night
Mrs Kniffin went to bed Miss Emma Purcell,
young woman of twenty-five, shared her room
Miss PARCEL is a typewriter, employed at the En-
pre Pottery. and has lived with the Kninns sew
eral years She is a cousin of Mrs Kninin.
Dr. Shannon arrived at the Office at half-past
: this morning, and was startled 10 find the
furniture in confusion, burned matches upon the
floor, and other evidence of the intrusion of burg
lars. He called Mrs. knifin, and, receiving
reply, became appehensive that all was not right.
I1,,to ,,o1I oip south
Broad-st., he nearly stumbled Miss Purcell,
who lay in her nghtdresS, apparently dead, IN tie
middle of the room. Dr. Shannon summoned
help, and with two others quickly made thorough
investigation. Miss Purcell not dead, but
seemed partly unconscious "Oh the burglars
Run Myra, rum" she exclaimed, as DR.. Shannon
and the other men lifted her from the floor.
DR.. Cornelius Shepherd called in to attend
her. and at the time Mis-. Kniflin was found
lying dead in her bed, in an adjoining room. The
cover of quilt that still emitted the Odor of
chloroform, was thrown her face Upon its
removal, her face was found swollen, about the
mouth and chin it was blue. The chin was
scratched though by fnger-nails, but no other
marks OF violence were visible.
The police, by authority Of Prosecutor Stock
ton, at once took charge of the house. They
found burned matches upon the floor, chisel III
one spot hatchet in another, and still other tools
They say, however, that the tools are not part
Of burglars kit, and they profess to be mys-
titled by the circumstances. Indeed, the fact
that bureau drawers were found pulled out and
articles Of furniture in several rooms disturbed
did not convince them that househTeakers of
experience had been at work They could not
learn that anything had been taken nor did they
find signs Of the forcing of any doors or windows.
Miss Purcell was Immediately put TO bed. This
c,aN f1t. it-od 10
statement She said that she was not uncon-
scious when found upon the floor but felt as if she
were paralyzed. She was unable 10 move hand
or foot. She and Mrs Knifln She said, went 10
bed at the same time last night Both were
cheerful, and Mrs. knfn remarked that She was
not sleepy at all Soon aftcrward Miss Purcell
fell asleep. How Ions She had slept she could
not say, but suddenly she was awakened by a
touch from Mrs Kninin who sctcamcd that there
burglar pushing open the door Miss Pur-
cell heard the noise at the door. spranS out Of
bed, and running to the front window, called
for help at the top Of her voice. just then, she
continued she was seized and thrown to the
floor and wet cloth was pressed over her face.
That was all she knew until Dr. Shannon and
the other men found her, at which time the piece
of cloth was still over her face Miss Purcell
was informed that Mrs Kniin dead, and At
once became deirous.
Upon the occasion Of the visit Of burglars at
Dr. Kninn's house i'm November the doctor was |
absent over night. His wife and little son and |
Miss Purcell were in the house. Miss Purcell
said then that three men came into her bedroom
and one Of them held drawn knife over her |
as she lay IN bed, giving her TO understand that
il would be used if she attempted 10 make any |
outcry The other two burglars, according to |
her story made Il tour Of the house, examining |
nfi ierplr,- and 6iScIrGun all They
secured "A small sum Of money, but the police |
never discovered any trace OF them
A post-mortcm examination Of Mrs Kninin
will be made tomorrow morning, and Coroner |
Bower will hold an inquest on Monday.
The police are making no efforts at all 10 find |
the burglars who are said to have murdered Mrs.
Knifin. Detective Leahy who has been working |
on the case all day, says that in his opinion |
10 burglars entered the house. Every door ana |
window was fastened he asserts, except door |
leading from the rear Of the premises into the |
kitchen This door was left unlocked by Mrs !
Kninn last evening The cork of small bottle |
was found in Mrs. Kninns bed whether or not |
il had been touched by chloroform could not be
determined.
Dr. Knifin was summoned home by telegraph,
and arrived here at half-past tonight De- |
tective Leahy was at the station, and as
DR. Knifin alighted from the train. asked the
doctor 10 accompany him TO Police Headquarters.
There Dr. Knifin was put through long eX-
animation as TO the reason Tor his departure
and all his movements since yesterday morning.
Ue was frank in all his answers, and was no
more agitated than would DE natural under the
circumstances. He said he had gone to visit
,oI,t,yos of Miss Purcell at Broadway.
\ J.. as adjoining their farm was one
of