The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-18
FOUND DEAD.
Police Suspicious
of the Case.
May Turn Out to Be a
Murder.
Halsey j. Danford Found by
a Waiter at the Crosby.
What Caused the Fracture of His
Skull a Mystery.
What Caused the Fracture Of His
Skull a Mystery.
Other Wounds Which Lead 10 the Belief
of Foul Play.

Halsey j. Danford was found dead
In his room, at the boarding house
known as the ""Crosby," corner OF wey-
bosset and Clemence streets, at 5:15
O'Clock this morning, by Prince Albert
Williams, one OF the attendants of the
place. The death of the man, according
to what can be learned from medical ex-
aminer Jay Perkins and the police is a
mystery. for it is thought that death was
caused by fracture of the skull, but
how the fracture was caused is not
known.
Mr.. Danford came to the city Wednes-
day and went to the Narragansett Hotel,
where he was assigned to room 121.
Here he got lis supper, spent the night,
had his breakfast, paid his bill and went
out. Thursday evening ho called at the
hotel again and was given room l25, and
this time only had q room and breakfast.
During this time he had luggage at the
hotel 1t was called for this morning by
the medical examiner.
At 10:45, according to Prince Albert
williams story, Danford called at the
Crosby and wanted a room. He was Civ
en- room % on the third floor, In the
~ huf Tba
er showed Mr.. Danford TO his room,
turned on the electric light, and the on
Iy conversation the two men had, was
thai the guest wanted to be called at 8
o'clock. At O'Clock this morning
Williams knocked on Daniord's door, and
then went to the sitting room. AS Mr.
Danford did not put in his appearance
in reasonable length OF time, Williams
went TO the room again aud knocked,
and getting no answer tried the door,
which no found open. He found Danford
dead.
Williams notified the proprietor, James
b. Wales, who went to the Central police
station and notified William p. WhIpple
who, with pstrolmen James j. Costigan
and q. j. Dunn went to the house.
They found that Mr.. Danford had not
removed any of his clothing upon retir-
ing, other than his straw hat, which was
under his left arm. On his forehead,
Just under the forelock, and running di-
agonally toward the right eye, was n
fresh wound Is. inches in length, and
1t looked IL it had been done with a sharp
instrument, and this the medical examin-
er said was sufficient to knock the man
down. and in falling he probably struck
his head, causing the fracture.
Williams was asked IL he noticed the
scar op the mans forehead when he
called last night. He said that the man
wore his hat into his room. and that he
did not notice the wound.
At the Narragansett Hotel & was
learned that one OF the attaches OF the
Office saw Mr.. Danford on the street be-
tween and O'Clock, and he was then
as he was at all times while at the hotel,
perfectly sober. Williams and Mr..
Wales at the Crosby say tina; he had been
drinking.
DR.. Perkins took charge OF the dead
mans effects and among them were
papers showing that his name was Halsey
j. Danford, and that he resided at 55
Prospect street, Passaic, N. j., aud was
employed a. driver for Sheldon Il Co.,
the we'll known sch )ol book firm, 72l
Broadway, N. Y.
While at the Nsrragansett Hotel Dan
ford registered from Reading, Pa. he
was between 60 and 20 years old, dressed
in black coat, vest and trousers, No.
z s.s straw hat from Louge, Philadelphia,
n silver watch with a black braid guard,
and s30.4s In his pocket. In his shirt
front were two largo gold studs, each
containing a good sized pearl.
A call was made upon some OF the
leading book dealers OF the city and nll
know the firms OF sheldon & Co., but
old not know Danford. DIR. Parker has
decided TO hold ON autopsy this alter
noon, and In the meanwhile Detective
Parker Is investigating the case. so far
as known no blame con be attached 10
any one connected with the Crosby
House for the room was in perfect order,
and the electric lignt was found turned
on when Williams opened the door.