The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-05-11
MURDER WILL OUT.
A BRUTAL CRIME COMMITTED
IN ELKTON.
Now Being Brought TO Light After .
Lapse of Ten Months.

nl!lltt III LINlpH are h'IHS Drought 10 llgllt-
and one OF the parties implicated in the
is q prisoner in the Elkton Jail.
On July II last. Il small side snow and
museum combination known as 'Arzona
Bob's Wonderland of Amerira.H came to Elk
ton and pitched their tent on the lot at
the corner of High street and Singery
avenue, an attractive residential section Of
the town, not lar from the p. W. and b. rail-
road station. The members of the Company
were, 'Ari2Oua Bob and Franklin W. Knapp,
owners; Mr.. and Mrs. John b. Robins, stage
performers; Edward Wertley who conducted
the patent medicine department; George a
colored man whose surname is not known
and colored boy who were hired as aborers.
While in Elkton Mr.. and Mrs. Robins occu-
pied rooms at the FELTON, House-the others
slept and ate ut the tent.
The receipts of the show were light and
while here difficulties arose between the
Rolir5' and Arizona Bob, as to money due.
which trouble was bridged over by Knapp
guaranteeing payment. Knapp who was the
monied man Of the concern then undertook
the financial management out of the hands of
Arizona Bob.
QUICK DEPARTURE.
The next attention attracted to the show
was late on the night of July IA, when they
packed up mysteriously and boarding wood
schooner tthe Hattie Alma of Baltimore,
which sailed that night, and secretly left the
town.
POUL PLAY SUSPECTED.
Nothing moro was thought of the occur
renee in ElktOu until in March, Postmaster
Frank r. Scott and States Attorney Austin l..
Crothers were written by DR.. Weller Roos, of
Chenango Forks, New York, respecting the
show, rs since its appearance in Ekton,
nothing had been heard of Franklin W.
Knapp, his friend, and whose family We're
much excited and worried over bis iisap-
pearance The communication that Olowed
resulted in DR.. Roos coming to Fi.ton, and
then his untiring investigation which has
resulted 50 lar successfully begun,
DR.. Roos had been receiving frequent let
ters from Knapp, but the correspondence
ended at Havre de Grace when Knapp
wrote that he was suspicious of Arizona Bob
and the show and that when they reached
Elkton he thought he would make some
changes.
DR.. Roo5 suspected foul play ut once and
number Of searches for evidences Of such
were made in Elkton.
AN INvEsrIGArION BEGUN.
The officials at Baltimore were rommuni-
Gated with, and the name Of the schooner
Hattie Alma learned. The captain was inter
viewed, and told of landing the troupe. and
gave other valuable informaton The Robins
were located in Philadelphia, and further
particulars is the members OF the company
and its disbandment We're learned. Arizona
Bob was traced to Marion, Somerset county.
whittier DR.. RoOs went and had an interview
with him. The man stated that Knapp had
left to bill another town and which was the
last heard Of him. WertIey was located ut
Mount Winans, near Baltimore.
wERTLEY ARRESTED.
ON Saturday DR.. Roos and States Attorney
Grothers left Elkton for that place where
Wertley was soon found. He was arraigncd
before Magistrate Keifer in the presence
OF Chief OF Police McCay, and accused of
completely in the murder of Knapp. Wertley
at first stoutiy denied such IA charge. Then a
bold stroke was determined upon. DR.. Roos
poin blank accused the prisoner and sur
missing that ii he were guilty he could be led
to a confession, told him quietly that Arizona
Bob had been arrested and that he had CON
fessed, deeply duplicating him lWertley)
The man then betrayed his guilt, and calling
them aside said that murder had been COM
mitted ut Elkton, and that he would accom-
pany them there and tell the particulars and
his connection with the crime-on the train
wERriEY MAKES A CONFESSION
Wertley made his confession to States
Attorney Crothers-Robert Harris. alias
"Arizona Bob he said had been planning
with the negro George to kill Knapp. He
told Wertley Of his plan, but he (Wertly) was
in favor OF nhloroforming him, which would
allow Of their making away with their show.
He Harris said he had George with him.
The plans We're carried out after the perfor-
nance on the night of the 14th. BY his
statement George was sent TO hire a boat to
take them away. He Wertley was sent
after some ether. Robins and his wife We're
away from the scene at the FELTON, House
the boy was sent away. Wertley said he
urged the men not to kill Knapp, suggesting
they drug him.
KILLED A SLEEPING MAN.
Going to the tent Knapp was found asleep
on his cot. Harris (Arizona Bob), he con-
tinued got club, wrapped it with cloth to
deaden the sound of the blows, told him
(Wertley) to keep watch outside and went
with the man George into the tent. Harris,
he asserts. struck the sleeping man Knapp
three blows ON the head with the club and
then finished his fiendish work by choking
him. George and Wertley put the body in a
box and covered it up with clothing. The
work of packing up was begun, during which
he says the night watchman came along and
stopped awhile and watched them working.
The schooner was lying at Singerly's wharf.
They had their goods carted there and the
boat sailed at one o'clock.
THEY CAST THE BODY IN THE BAY.
When the boat was Off Havre de Grace, the
captains attention was diverted and Harris
he says, weighted the body and threw it over