The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-01
MURDERER VAN HORN
PAYS ANOTHER VISIT
Revisits the Scene Of His Crime q
Second Time.
HE ESCAPES IN THE DARKNESS
Watchers Were on the Porch Of the
House and Gave Chase..Were They
AfraidI..Thc Precautions Taken
Against His Further Return.
Funeral Of Mrs. Westcott Today.

A startling feature has been added
to the Westcott murder case. Van
Horn, the slayer of the woman. Is
believed to have made a second VS.
itation to the scene Of his crime.
There Is now no doubt in the minds
of the family of the murdered woman,
and the police are forced to admit it,
that the breaking of the paddock on
the cellar door, during the early hours
of Saturday morning, was the work
of Van Horn. it being explained that
he returned to get the razor which
he knew could be readily identified as
belonging to him, and which II found
would be the most positive kind or
evidence against him. On account OF
the terror which this bold act in
spired among the female members of
the household two men have kept
guard about the house each night.
Early yesterday morning the two
watches, whose names are withheld
for obvious reasons, saw man, who
they declare was Van Horn, come
around the corner from Spruce street
and pass down Franklin avenue. The
men were sitting on the front piazza
Van Horn, or the man they declare
was Van Horn, hove in sight. He did
not see them on the dark piazza and
was peering into the house. Alarmed
by their rising to their feet, he started
Off at a rapid walk.
Either through excitement or fear
they allowed him to get the distance
of two or three lots down the street
before they attempted to follow. When
they came out of the gate he broke
into a run and,dodged into Page court.
When the pursuers, II indeed they
could rightly be called such, reached
the head of the court the fugitive
was no where to be seen. They claim
they made a search for him but in the
excitement it is possible they may
have neglected to make a very thor
ough search.
NEW WATCHER ENGAGED.
The watchers of Sunday night were
replaced last night by Special officer
George Wickenhoffer, who armed him
self with a shot gun and swore that
if Van Horn again came about that
the hunt for him would be brought to
u sudden termination.
The impression that has gone forth
that Mrs. Westcott was somewhat
partial to Van Horns attentions does
a great injustice to the unfortunate
woman, the family claims. 1t is three
years since he boarded at Westcott's,
and during all that time he was new
er once received as q visitor at the
house, and his hanging about the
place was a great annoyance and ag-
gravation to all in the household, Mrs.
Westcott included.
He was a number of times caught in
the cellar and driven out, and on one
occasion when n crock Of butter was
missed he was without any hesitation
put down as the thief. He, it seems,
felt that because he once boarded at
the house and because his brother was
married to one of Mrs. Westcotts
daughters that he had some claim of
hospitality.
The funeral of Mrs. Westcott will
take place this afternoon. Services will
be conducted at the house at 12 o'clock
noon. and the remains will be taken
on the 1.2O p. m. Delaware and Hud-
son train to Jermyn for interment.
Up to midnight Van Horn remained
uncaptured. The general belief is that
he is still hiding about the city, and
that he will before many days fall
into the hands of the police.
The county commissioners stated
yesterday that they do not propose
at present to offer reward for his
capture.