New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-20
VIM. HENRY EXONERATED.
A CORONER'S JURY FAILS TO SHOW HIM
TO BE A PARRICIDE
SPECTATORS CHEER WHEN THE VERDICT is AN
NOUNCED-TIIE ALLEGED LETTER FROM
THE DEAD MAN TO WALTER-A
RUMOR THAT TIE LATTER HAD
ENGAGED COUNSEL.

TIE DEAD MAN IL WALIEk-A
RUMoR THAT TIE LATTER HAD
ENGAGED COUNSEL.
The inquest into the death of Charles W.
Henry the wealthy miser who was murdered in
his home, No. % South Portland-ave., Brooklyn,
some time between Wednesday afternoon and
Friday morning OF last week, took place yester-
day In the room of the Board Of Supervisors
The hour set for the inquest was II noon. but
il some time after that when the proceedings
begun. One cause Of delay was the absence OF
Walter Henry, who had been subpoenaed as n
witness by Coroner Kene. 1t was expected that
Detective Sergeant Delahanty would bring the
brother along when he went to the Corners Of
fee. Some surprise manifested at Walters
non-appearance. and ar officer was Immediately
sent to look for him. The officer returned just
before the inquest closed. and reported that
Walter was nowhere to be found.
Then a rumor was started that Walter had
fled and there was considerable excitement.
When the jury brought in verdict practically
generating William. the people in the courtroom
chocrcd until the walls rcsounded.
Coroner Kenc presided at the inquest, and Dis
trict-Attorncy Ridgway conducted the examina-
ton of witnesses. The first witness was Dr. \.
Warner shepard. the county physician. who per-
scrbcd the wounds which he found There were
eighteen of them on the head and face and two on
the right hand one Of the wounds WAS across
the nose. cutting into the left eye. and fracuring
a part of the face bone Another wound was on
the top If the head. running dlagonally from the
ton of the forehead toward the left and fracturing
the skull Pieces OF the bone from this wound
had penetrated the brain. Either Of these two
wounds was sufficient 10 cause DEATH the doctor
said. The blows had been struck with great
force. and with an instrument sharp and heavy.
Or Shepard looked at the axe found In the
house after the murder and was asked by DIS
trict-Attorncy Ridgway II the wounds found by
him could have been made with such in
strumont. lie replied In the affirmative.
Mr. Backus who was by courtesy Of Coroner
Kcne permitted to cross-questhn the witness
asked Dr. Shepard II he could tell from the
condition Of the body how long the man had
been dead The doctor replied that from the
condition in which he found the body he be-
licvcd that thiriy-six hours had elapsed be-
tween the time Of death and the time Of making
the autopsy.
HOW HE GOT INTO THE HOUSE
Tho mex, witness examined was Patrolman
Welsh who accompanied Walter Henry 10 the
house. ~ Friday afternoon. by order Of
into the house by climbing into a rear
window from the house next door, no. 49,
anI then opening the front door to allow
him t. enter. They went upstairs together. he
said. a, the request OF Walter. When they
reached the top noor Walter remarked: There
is something wrong here" and on seeing the
scattered papers on the noor outside the closet
ne added: william has been here" Then Walter
suggested that they 90 down stairs. He led the
way down the first flight. but on reaching the
basement stairs hc stepped 10 one side. and said
10 Welsh:
"You 70 FIRST"
when Welsh got near the bottom Of the stairs.
hc saw the old mans body lying across the
hall. with the head resting against the bottom
step Turning 10 Walter. he said is this your
father" Walter replied that 1t was. and added:
This is Williams work"
Mr.. Elckus asked the witness II Walter could
see the body when ne asked him II it was HIS
fathers The witness replied that he did not
think he could as he Ohc wtness) standing
directly In front of him. Welsh said also that on
the way downstairs Walter handed over letter
which Walter said his father had sent him.
THE ALLEGED LETTER.
This Is the letter referred TO so frequently by
the police which they had refused to make public
The letter referred 10 is as follows 1t Is written
without date and without signature:
Dear Walter You have got to fight FOR me- your
self. wife and child 10 retain your home ana pro-
fest I'm the most fOrciblc manner against any pro-
cccdng regards my sanity. as II IL "A most WI
anous pot' ht hS,Inn ~ Ii MS v"1 81 sn) to
20 into business. for which was promised hand-
some profits. but they came not; 1t was made way
with in three months. and was out OF pocket the
whole sum. and up TO this ne has never shown any
disposition to return any of IL lie has had several
situations In gents furnishing stores. from az OF
which he was discharged Tor insobriety' iias o'.n
living with me for the last two years al my tN- *
pcnse without any e9rt on MS par, To- earn MS
TO- hsy. me pronouncei Insane All his actions at
home prove that he is the party wh2 should BE-
meals alone at the table. carries food TO his room
in the upper story. has two BICYCLES out OF repair
tioh throngh although was Sick myself On the Sth
Of June he ana lis mother left The house together
ard proceeded TO No NJ South Portlani-avc. ana
male false charges against me to carry out their
property for his own personal agsrandlzementI
i Srresed without delay. as SO Vie character
should not be allowed 10 20 at large. ana ms WI,
that | have business DEALINGS with know that |
am good business man altnGugh ny, on@ h
depended on. Speak out and tell what yon Know.
Whcn in business he bought bicycle, FOR which
he paid SlE and soon aiterward soli II Tor less less
a month 500 music box, expensive furniture,
etc. and all this time paid the paltry sum 9t -
he sunk In business and has never alluded to the
same He got s25 from me January 10 lSs3.
TO take some Jcwelry out of pawn, SAID Jewelry
being presents that | gave him on the holidays
when [ did not suppose he would ever turn out TO
be such a villain. Said money was to be returned;
but never was. | am now seventy-onc years old
and have always provided for my family and had to
civ. M business, as the house was being wrecked.
e. regards my Wife she Is the tool In the hands OF
the people who hope to profit by her dementia.
Some her friends put her up 10 getting
a separation for what reason never could under
stand as | WAS then hard at work with a hrm
whom | had been with sixteen years. Never took
n holiday nor absent from business. No money for
theatres, horse races or gambling My record ~
clean. a good husband. but very foolish wife can't
apprcciac anything like goodness She got the sep
nrston II lasted for month, and then she
brggci to be taken back | did so but II the
greatest mistake OF my HE. as never knew what
misery was before that Good servants would not
sfav because she lnterfered with their work. and
had ones could hardly be got rid OF TO verify what
s,v If those VIII side with her could see what
49,. scnn and endured years. II Just judgment