New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-15
BLOOD SPOTS ON THE SEAT.
MISERY ABOUT THE FATAL ENDING OF A
DRIVE ACROSS NEW-JERsEY HILLS.
BODY OF YOUNG NAN FOUND IN A DITCH NEAR
THE RAILROAD WITH HIS SKULL FRAC-
TURED-HIs HORSE AND BUGGY
TIED TO A FENCE NEAR BY

TIED TO A FENCE NEAR BY
What was supposed to nave been an accidental
death on the railroad at Isein, village three
miles south Of Railway is gradually evolving IT.
SELF into mystery and the shadowy outlines OF
murderer are appearing in. the background
An investigation yesterday by Tribune reporter
brought to light the probable fact that James
Dunn, one of the most popular young men of the
village, whose body was founl lying In ditch
along the railroad near Menlo Park. Tuesday
evening, was not killed by the cars as supposed,
but met his death under circumstances indicating
murder.
Young Dunn had been subpoenaed to appear
before the Grand Jury at New Brunswick in the
case Of Mrs John Martin, charged with selling
liquor without a license Dunn decided to drive
to the County Court House and took with him
James Hogan another young man subpoenaed in
the case On the way home a stop was made
at Walshs LIQUOR store at Menlo Park where
Hogan left Dunn to go to work at Metuchen.
There are two roads from Wash's shop to Iselin.
one on each side of the track. Dunn left
Wash's at five minutes of 8. taking the road on
the west side of the track, which is hilly.
HIS HEAD RESTING On THE TIES.
At ten minutes past 8 the section gang on the
way home to Isein found the body Of Dunn in a
ditch. with his head resting on the ties. There
two fractures Of the skull, one beginning AT
the crown and running down the back OF the
head the other on the forehead over the left eye.
A later investigation disclosed no other wounds or
bruises. The section men. knowing young DUNN
and having him pass by earlier In the uay
in a buggy, began a search for the rig Whlch
from the ore Dunn had taken. The horse was
securely tied to the fence with one OF the reihS.
The train sheets at the Menlo Park telegraph
office show that no trains passed either way from
no Din eft
found dead by the section men, The morse driven
by Dunn was a spirited animal and would run
away at the slightest chance. Neither the morse
nor the buggy. which was new, show any signs
of accident There not a scratch on the
polished woodwork of the buggy -..,
On the cushioned back Of the seat are several
dark stains of blood about the size OF a penny.
which would seem to show that Dunn received
his first injuries while in the buggy IL TOOK
Dunn not more than three minutes TO cover
the distance from Walsh's store to the point
where he met his death. and 1t would have peen
an easy matter for any one 10 sieai up pe"','i
him and fracture his skull WIN a DloW as H.
walked his horse across the hill in the darkness
The soft felt hat worn by Dunn mas nOt !ct
been found Who took Dunn horse from WI"Is
the body lay down on the lower road ana ted
him to the fence is question which many are
asking.
ENEMIES MADE BY HIS TESTIMONY.
That Dunn had made enemies by his testimony
before the Grand Jury there is no doubt. Enor's
had been made to have him remain away
from the Grand Jury room.
The incidents leading up to Mrs Martins ap-
pearance have been exciting and engendcred
a bitter feeling and may furnish the motive
for Dunn's death. As far back as any one can
remember there has been only one liquor stole
az Jselin which Is also combination grocery
and for years II has been in the Dunn iaihiIy;
Mrs Martin went there three months ago. anu
took out a Government license only, ana pcsdh
business 1t Is alleged that the widow oesah
immediately to do a big business by chaiBlns
low nrices AS a consequence business AT the
Dunn establishment fell off. and the r1ush
element spent its time and money In the WHO"
place. 1 ,b.
The Dunns talked prosecution, ana 'h'
widows friends defed them. Last week the az
tention of the Grand jury at New-Bruns"l'h
was brought to the widows place. ana shpWei
90 subnoenas followed. The Dunns We're accuseu
or being responsible for this. bat this they GeIy
As Tuesday the day Of hearing. approached the
feeling between the two factions became ~
tense and open threats Of violence Were Il'@"e
b,, both sides Young Dunn was cohs'ue'cl -
damaging witness. because he had Deeh nan
faIlov In the widows place at times. ana 'he
Dunns openly lay his death to his ,es'lilois3 ~
New brunswick Coroner McDCud' OF ~
pr,'nswick was informed yesterday OF the CIR
cun7stances and announced his INTENTION Vi
holding an examination to-cay.