Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-27
ALMY'S DARING CRIME.
His Midnight Visit to a House
Search of Christie Warden.

anu Learning HIS MISTAKE. mhu6 atE
swear Not to Tell of His Visit. w
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, W., Aug.
24.-Facts are gradually leaking out
here which go to answer the vexed
question as TO what Frank Almy's mo-
tive was in killing Christie Warden.
No little gossip has already been ex-
cited, and Miss Warden's reputation Is
involved by the discussion as to her cx-
act relations to Frank Almy. Latterly,
third person has been dragged in, and
The third person is Prof @. IL. Pettee,
Dean of the State Agricultural College
here, for whom Miss Warden acted for
frequently required her presence in the
Pettee home until late hour in the af-
ternoon, and as she was q personal
friend of Mrs. Pettee, she often stopped,
there over night. Miss Amelia Thomp-
son, who has lately been visiting Prof.
Pettee, who is related TO her, has now
made public one of the most dramatic
stories which has yet been developed in
this extraordinary case.
1t has been known TO the public off,
cials ever since the murder, but for
family reasons has hitherto been kept q
secret.
A STARTLING STORY.
Miss Thompson says that at about
1870 o'clock Tuesday morning, July
10Th. three days before the murder, she
suddenly awakened from sound sleep.
~ thought / felt" she said, "the pres
ence OF some one in my chamber.
Springing into sitting posture asked,
What is wantedg 2 Instantly felt, for
l could not see nor hear it,a form spring
from the darkness, and pair of soft
but strong hands grasped my throat
firmly, and voice in whisper Kissed
in my ear: BE quiet and I'll not hurt
YOU
"The stranger then as suddenly let go
the grasp on my throat and caught me
quickly by both hands. lie then con-
tinued in the same low but distinct
tones:
al am neither burglar nor a thief.
lfthere was $4,000 right here wouldn't
touch it,
81 said nothing.
AFTER pause he asked
"'Where is Christie Warden?"
&c replied: don't know where she
is. She left here at O'Clock in the af-'
ternoon.'
"Then she is not in the house?' he
asked
".lf | were to die this moment | re-
piled, she is not in this house,
"'lf she were to stay here would she
sleep with your
81 answered, Yes
"'But this is her room,' said he,
sternly. Who are your"
81 dared not lie to him, so gave him
my full name.'
"'What are you doing hGe?' he then
demanded. Are you a friend of Mrs
Pettee'sY
"'Yes," replied.
AT this point he paused for few
moments and then said 4 am Christie
Warden's lover. | can't see her at home
on account Of her sisters. Are you fond
| of Chris,iey
Yes said /.
now" said he, very impressiyely,
'you must not speak of this to her or
any one, for If it was known that |
sought her in her bed-chamber it would
ruin her reputation, and you wouldn't
want to do that, would You 2"
This was said in most persuasive
and perhaps sarcastic tone of voice.
"Certainly not, | replied.
ALMY DRAWS A REVOLVER.
you must swear never to speak of
this to any one" said he, then, suddenly
releasing one of my hands and pressing
something, which took TO be cold steel
| agains, my breast in the regigii of my
heart. Under theee circuuist.t 4 q, hn
el'orted from me solemn oall never
to betray him. He then suitl " j knew
this was Chiisie's roorl, Tor | 1--we
been here before "
Tie next ashrd 81. yjur door locked?r
mo-" L replied, thinking that If he
was as familiar with the place as ne pre-
tended 10 he he would have known there
was no lock on the door.
He then placed in my hand some
metallic article, and said "This is pis-
toll cartridge. Keep it to remind you
that if you ever speak of this | villa
follow You to the ends of the earth and
have revenge"
"Then," continued Miss Thompson
"the man assumed the most polite tone
and, while could not see, | have no
doubt he bowed his way toward the
window, meanwhile begging my pardon
for having thus disturbed me. Opening
the blinds with cat-ike softness and
agility he disappeared through the OPEN
ing, closing the blinds noiselessly."
"l)ld You never speak Of this to any
one 7" Miss Thompson was asked.
Not till after heard of Almy'sscap.
ture," She replied II felt a personal
dread of the man who had so soon after
appearing to me proved himself most
brutal murderer. Never word passed
my lips in relation to the subject until |
was Informed by the officers that by the