The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-20
WAS BROUGHT 70 LIGHT.
Three Men Arrested for Murder CT
Barber Leaman.
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE CRIME.
which Puzzled Authorities for Over
Eighteen Months-A Case Which Puz-
xIed the Detectives for Long Time
Probably in Fair Way for solution
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE CRIME.

BRocKToN. Mass, Nov. 20.-Edward +.
Luddy, John r. Maher and Michael Smith
we're arrested Saturday evening by the
Brockton police. charged with the murder
of Collins Leaman in Brockton on April
20, 1892. lie Forest w. O'Connor, who
claims to belong in Maine. Is also held as
q witness in the case
Luddy is 81 years old and q laster by
trade. Maher In = shoe stock sorter, 80
years old, and Smith is a shoemaker All
are familiar characters In the police court,
but have never before been charged with a
crime of such magnitude as that which
now confronts them.
Story sf tho Crime.
1t will be remembered that this murder
was the sensation of this vicinity for
months. Detectives were employed. re-
wards were offered, the whole police force
worked hard and long on the case, but
nothing resembling a clue resulted.
Collins Leanan WAS . barber who had
rooms in Satuokst block o. Main street in
this city He was IN honest and indus
trious man, and had q wife and two chill
dreu. and resided on West Elm street.
On the nigkt Of April 20, 1899, Leaman
left his rooms about 10 O'clock. He was
club-footed, and his walk homeward was
nee esssrily slow. West Elm street Is q
Inc residential rection, bur at that time
the street, after passing the causeway
which runs across the Howai tf,ond, was
only dimly lighted by incandcscent lamps
On the right just beyond the pond, a
new street, now known as Lexington
street, led to the right from West Elm
street, and before reachirg il Leaman had
to pass under the shadow OF trees. Here
he was assaulted and prob bly, rendered
iusensible. lie was robbed OF two watches
and small amount OF money-all posses
sions Of any value about bis person--and
then dragged arouu d the corner into Lex
ington street and thrown down an en-
bankment aome eight feet high, where he
apparently laid for some time unconscious.
Later two men passing up West Elm
street heard = call for help, and looking
over a picket fencs into tho Aciti where
Leaman had been thrown. they saw aim
in dazed condition attempting to find a
place where he could get through tho
fence around the end of which he had been
dragged.
Died tho Next Day.
He was helped to reach the street and
taken to his home, but could give no state
vaguely repeat that some one struck him.
His injuries were found to be of critical
nature, his skull being fractured by one
or more terrible blows. snd he soon sank
into wholly unconscious state, from
which he never rallied, aud death ensued
during the next forenoon.
Witnesses were found who heard some
thing OF the noise of the assault. hut who
did not MT that time realize what IL was
The city authorities offered large reward
for information which would lead to the
capture and conviction Of the murderer or
murderers. Detectives were employed and
many suspected persons were shadowed,
and every effort was made to cetect the
authors OF the atrocious crime, but with
out success.
Nearly 10 months have passed since the
murder, and meanwhile City Marshal
Chase and the officers OF his force have
been quietly and pcrsistently at work to
detect the criminals. The belief has pre-
vailed that the deed was committed by a
man or men who knew Leaman and were
familiar with the route over which he must
pass to reach his home, and who knew
that he would probably carry with him
whatever money and valuables he pos
sessed.
O'Connor, who IN held as a witness, has
been here before and is working for New
York concern. and IL he will testify to the
court as he did to the police about what
these three men told him when they had
been drinking it looks moro than probable
that justice will after is months overtake
the guilty. The police are very confident
that they have rhe right men.