Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-09
MURDER m CECIL COUNTY.
F. w. knapp's Disappearance, a
Year Ago, Explained.

1t was reported in this city Mon
day that man, whose name could not |
be learned, called on States Attorney a. |
L. Crothers at E.llton, Nd, and cleared |
up mystery which has created Il great |
deal Of speculation since man con
nected with show suddenly disap-
peared from that tcwn, last summer.
Mr.. Crothers was seen by correspon-
dent Of THE GAZETTE Monday morning,
but the official refused to give any infor-
nation, which naturally strengthens
the belief in the truth of the report. 1t
is believed that the party who called on
the States attorney was member OF
the company TO which the man who
disappeared belonged, and that his bust
ness to Elkton was for the sole purpose
Of making statement which would
clear up the whole mystery.
STORY OF THE MURDER.
The facts, of course, could be obtained
officially, but from pretty reliable
source it was learned that the mans
statement to the States attorney was to
the effect that the man who disappeared
was murdered while the show was about
to leave the town, and that the body
was put aboard boat and afterward
sunk in the river. II is also reported
that parties connected with the show
committed the murder, but who they
were could not be ascertained, although
1t is said that the district attorneys in
formant gave that official all the names
and related the circumstances from per-
sonal knowledge, or as he had been
told.
The information in the hands of the
States attorney Is, il is believed, TO the
effect that the man who was murdered
had been cashier or had some conuec-
ton with the money arrangements of
the concern, and the object in commit
ting the murder was robbery. The muir
derers, it is believed, thought that their
victim had great deal OF money in his
possession, for it is said business had
been unusually good during the stay in
the town. But it is asserted that the
money had been deposited in bank, or
otherwised so liked that the fends were
unable to get possession of it. Whether
they secured any money at all or not is
unknown at this time, but it is believed
that the booty, If any was secured, was
very small.
The facts were never known to the
authorities or the people of the town
until Monday, and since the dlsap-
| pearance Of the maa detectives have
been at work in Elkton and in other
parts Of the country, but without sue
cess.
1t is said that the States attorneys
informant wont to Elkton and gave his
statement voluntarily. His name, or
whether he had any connection with the
affair, could not be ascertained.
Some of the people in Elkton are
loath to credit the narrative they heard
ON Monday, aud all sorts of rumors
are current concerning the sudden APP
| pearance of the stranger i'll the town
and his motive for making the statement
which is credited to him. However, the
| facts, as given to the authorities, will be
Investigated at once and some new light
will no doubt be thrown on the matter
in few days.
The alleged mysterious murder in Cecil
county, Md, is this explained By a special
dispatch sent from Elkton Monday night !:
snow AT ELKToN.
ELKToN, Mn, May 6.-After a lapse OF
nearly one year one OF the toulest murders
in the annals OF Cecil county hiss been
s uLtosu. ~ iaIn'. !" JHiy last Mllu esl
Ingm ar Ra ~ E.kton, nahaSea oy
Wi nIot ,t; noS sa'u W pe IaIiSe0t Mexico
80 Ill us I.,, sn"m M"S FahNih W, Knapp
~ a mu,t,nlioMm a'l's Fespectel citizen OF
S Ihutiahg1 IoLNs, \. ~ VINO hau pur'
U ,.iii naii interest ~ Manchester, "a
IL io;,,ad TO- sh "M,t misi piom1grapi n
~ ~ Joi'ieu .Ie SuoN anu arrived wild " ~
. LIN ~ ~ the tltt q Juiy iast. WIN y
maS - 'iu nei'tcy' WHO WAS satu 70 NC
I InteirI. man; ana VINO IS native o.
Isdsloh, Ia' Nnlte the snow was EXHIBIT