The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-01-08
THE TRENTON MURDER.


Last Thursday night cold-blooded
murder was perpetrated in Trenton. The
residence of Dr. A. s. Kniffin, a dentist,
No. 206 South Broad street, was entered
while the doctor was on visit to Broad
way, Warren county, and his wife chloro-
formed and killed. There were marks on
her throat which led some to believe she
had been choked, while others think that
she was smothcred by the bed clothing
having been forced into her mouth.
Miss Emma Purcell, cousin of Mrs.
Knifiin, roomed with Mrs. X. and was
found in the morning in an insensible con-
dition, having also been chloroformed.
She says that she heard some one trying
to get in at the bedroom door, and ran to
the window to give the alarm, when she
was seized by the throat, and wet cloth
thrown over her face, after which she re-
membercd nothing until consciousness re-
turned the next day.
DR.. Kniiin returned home on the $50
train Friday evening, and looked through
his house but failed to find that anything
had been stolen.
A few weeks ago, during the absence
of DR.. Kniffln his house was entered by
masked men, one of whom stood over
Miss p. with knife while the house was
ol Oh til
The murder is a mysterious one and
should be thoroughly investigated.
| Further details of the murder of DR..
Arthur Kniflln's wife in Trenton, last
Thursday night, are as follows:
DIR. Kniffln, who is dentist, on South
Broad street, opposite the Broad Street
National Bank, was absent from home,
having gone to Broadway, Warren coun-
". Mrs. Kniflin, a lady 8S years old and
Miss Purcell, her cousin, a young lady OF
%, and typewriter by profession, occu-
pied DR.. Knillln's residence alone on
Thursday night.
On Friday morning, Dir. Shannon,
partner of DR.. Knifiln's, when opening
the office found no ono about and going
up stairs found Miss Purcell lying upon
the floor in an insensible condition. He
called for help, and upon lifting her up,
she came TO consciousness and raved
about robbers. He went into another
room and found Mrs. Knifin dead upon
her bed.
The drawers Of bureau and some
other places were found in disordered
condition, and burned matches were found
in some places, but nothing had been
stolen so far as is known. The theory
of murder for the purpose OF robbery
is not believed by many people in
Trenton.
! Mrs. Kniilln, it is evident from the ply
sician's post norton examination, was
killed by chloroform, and there is no evil
dence that she had any struggle with a
burglar. She appears to have died quietly.
Suspicion points to DR.. Kniffln and Miss
Purcell as the guilty ones. When the
house was robbed few weeks ago, Mrs.
Knifin's room was visited and the gas
turned on without lighting, evidently with
the idea of suffocating her. 1t is thought
to be strange coincidence that Dr. X.
was absent on both these occasions. Not
single clue has been found TO connect
any one else with the crime. On the
other hand, friends of DR.. X. and Miss
Purcell point TO the great friendship ex-
listing between Miss Purcell and Mrs.
Kniflin as strong fact against her guilt.
The Coroner's jury has done but little
as yet. An autopsy was made on Satur.
dcy, and tho stomach sent to chemist
for analysis. The jury will meet to-day
"wednesday and it is probable some i'm.
portant testimony may be presented.
The intense feeling already existing ID
Trenton was heightened by an attempt Of
DR.. Kniilin early Monday morning TO com
nit suicide. He first cut his throat slight
ly with razor, then attempted TO cut thu
arteries at his wrists, and finally took
big dose Of aconite. His attempt was dis
covered by Miss Purcel's brother, VIII,
was rooming with him, and a physician
sent for. He soon recovered from the OF
fects of the poison and his wounds wer,
not serious.
Mrs. Knifiln's funeral took place yes
terday. Her remains were inferred a
Mount Pleasant, In this county, the fu
neral party going up on the train leaving
Trenton at 9:10 A. M. Knilin and Mis-
Purcell attended, accompanied by polio
officers.
Dr. Kniffin is man OF about 81 year
: Of age. He is said to be a man OF fin
presence and has borne good name unit
: the past year or so. when his familiarit
y with Miss Purcell has been matter I
gossip. He has amassed a small forum
in his profession, and has lately given col
siderable attention to horses and stoc
raising.
o Miss Purcell is graduate of the Trel
n ton Business College and has been typ
writer for year or more in the Empi
Rubber Works. She is handsome al
20 well-connected.
---.-e.-
i Wanted.
10 Two girls to learn dress making by I'll
IN new x l. Tailor System. Inquire
80 Mrs. ORR. GoRDoN, Bultonwood st.
no FRFNCHTOWN ITEMS.