Evening journal., 1892-05-28
IS "cocKYn FENNER euLTYeEa
The Philadelphia Burglar Accused ofthe
Murder of1Irs. J. Granville Richards.

Inc Ahiiadtiphin burglar Accused OF the
Murder of Mrs. J. Granville Richards.
It is stated in Philadelphia that
"Cocky' Fenner, the notorious burglar
who is at present locked up on a charge of
housebreaking, and whose accomplice
"Reddy the Gloster, is already convicted
is now accused of much more serious
crime, and if he is proven to be the man
wanted, he viii have to stand trial for
murder
District Attorney Graham is in receipt
Of letter from the states attorney at
Elkton, Cecil county. Md. asking that
Fenner be held until papers can be
made out for his removal to the latter
state, where it is thought he viii be
charged with the killing of Mrs. J.
Granville Richards in the spring of last
year the mystery about which has never
been cleared up.
Fenner is a well-l1nown burglar, who
has been operating about these parts for
some years, and has served several terms.
His last work in town was on South
Fourth street, for which he is now in
in custody His operations have also ex-
tended TO other places, and he is almost
as well known outside of philadelphia as
in the city itself.
The crime of which he is at present
suspected that of killing Mrs Richards,
wife of a former member of the Maryland
LEGISLATURE and Custom House Inspector
I at Baltimore, was a bru tai one
! District Attorney Graham says he is
ready TO give up the prisoner as soon as
sufficient evidence is found on which
the Maryland authorities can hold him.
He is now waiting for further word
from Ellxton. and in a few days expects
to decide what disposition shall be made
of the prisoner
The murder took place shortly after
midnight on April 13 1891 at porter's
Bridge. few miles east of Rising sun
and about twenty-five miles from Elk
ton. Mrs. Richards was awakened by a
noise and at once aroused her husband
who threatened TO shoot the burglar
Mrs. Richards then raised herself ON her
elbow in the bed and the intruder fired,
the bullet penetrating her brain. The
burglar ran from the room and Mr.
Richards shot, but missed his man. who
rushed TO the hallway, closely pursued.
He fred two shots at Richards, both
taking effect in the latter's ribs. The
murd erer also struck him with an iron
drill he had in his hands, knocking him
down stairs and then made his escape.
| MIS-. hlCnuluhun Altu duuut 4 q tloth III
the morning and her husband recovered.
The work upon the case forms an in
teresting chapter in police annals, as
numberless clues have been run out, only
to find the wrong man suspected Detec
two Ottey Of the Pennsylvania railroad
had been at once detailed TO the work, ant
the day following the murder tracks
were found leading from the house to thu
station. Dr. George A. Bran and his son
George Bran of PilOtville, the latter
medical student, were placed unde
arrest, but after a weeks detention wer
released. Frank Ferguson was thel
held on suspicion, but this clue likewis
amounted to nothing. The Pinkertor
Detective Agency were finally put il
charge of the case, which they followe
for some months, hut they gave up tn
search without arresting a single sus
pect.
The authorities of Cecil county thei
got their own men in harness, and afte
some energetic work think they havl
fastened the crime upon "Cocky' Fenner
who is thought to be one of several guilt
parties, later clues leading to the suppo
sition that more than one man is impli
Gated