The herald., 1897-04-27

cipals. with the confessions of two of
them. added to the interest of the case.
On the night of the murder Bellew
and his uncle. Mat Howerton. started
out about town to see the sights. The
men were both teamsters, and after
taking several drinks, they visited a
notorious resort for colored people on
Alameda street, known as the Buz-
zard's Roost. While there one Of the
inmates. Maud Pierce, discovered that
they had money, and she seemSto have
Immediately planned to get hold of it..
She melted, so the officers claim, Eman-
uel Brown and Will Warner to rob the
men of their money. When Bellew and
Howerton left the house it was she who
told Brown and Warner to follow them,
knock them down if necessary, but at
all hazards to get the coin.
1t was a foggy night and few people
were about. Brown and Warner went
out, one carrying a stick made from a
billiard cue. The two colored men fol-
lowed the teamsters in the fog and mist
At a point on Second street, between
Vine and Alameda streets, they over
took Bellew and Howerton. The as
sault followed. Bellew was beaten into
an unconscious condition and Howerton
was badly stunned. The letter recov
cred sufficiently to get up. but no one
was about. He hurried home. At a
later hour Bellew was found lying on
the ground where the assault took
place by an officer, and was taken to the
r III 49, al
who had assaulted him, or give any in
formation leading to Identification. The
man was SO desperately wounded about
the head that he died on the following
afternoon.
1t appeared as II mystery was about
to envelop the story Of the tragedy, but
gradually this began to clear away.
A clue here, another there, came to light.
When Bellew was picked up, the cane
three hats and a piece of coat were
found close by. These bits of silent
testimony became valuable, and when
Brown was arrested in ARIZONA he made
a confession and cleared up whatever
of mystery remained surrounding the
case. Then his companion in guilt con-
fessed. and mutual recriminations were
in order, each one accusing the other
of striking the fatal blow.
Police Officer Woodward was the first
witness put forward by the prosecu-
tion yesterday. He testified to finding
Bellew lying across the gutter on Sec
ond street, only partially conscious He
thought the man was Intoxicated. and
rang for the patrol wagon. Upon its
arrival 1t was discovered that Bellew
was badly injured
Mat Howerton. the dead mans COM
panion on the fatal night, told of the
visit to the Buzzard's Roost, and how.
upon leaving that resort, they were
followed by two men. The assault was
made unawares, and he did not see any
blows delivered, for he was knocked
down and received three hard knocks,
When he got UP he ran away and pro-
ceeded to his room. Not finding Bellew
there. he went out to search for him.
and finally located him at the receiving
hospital.
Ella Lee. Ethel Miller and Eva Casey.
all inmates Of the disreputable roost.
testified to the visit Of the two men to
the place. The Lee woman lived on
the lower floor, and heard Maud Pierce
tell the defendant to 90 on. He then
told her to 80 and get the stick, and
when II was brought to him the de-
fendant and Warner went out.