The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-30
POLICEMAN FOUND MURDERED.
WOman's Belt and Handkerchief
Lying Near the Corpse.

1
Jacksonville, Fla, April 29.-second
Lieutenant William f. Gruber was muir
| dered by having his skull crushed in last
night, and his body was found lying in a
thick growth of underbrush on the south
west corner of Phelps and Liberty streets
this morning at $40 O'Clock.
As yet the person who struck the fatal
! blow has not been caught, and the only
clew so far obtained is a iady's blue serge
belt and a small white handkerchief lying
fifty yards from the body. These articles
indicate that there was a woman in the
case and other circumstances point strong
ly in the same direction and strong sus-
picions have been aroused in the minds of
the police.
The body was first discovered by Henry
Gardner (colored), who lives on Washing
ton street. in Oakland. Gardner was
standing on the corner of Phelps and
Liberty streets talking to Sanitary Pa
trolman Sllcox. He noticed a large num-
Der of flies buzzing around in the thicket
about forty feet away and while talking,
began peerng in the bushes. He called
Patroman Silcoxs attention to the fact
that something was lying in the bushes
where the flies were buzzing In APP
preaching the body, the officers were
careful to watch for any signs of a strug-
gle or for signs of the body being dragged
to where 1t was lying. There were no
signs of either. and from all appearances
the body had fallen after the
blow In the exact spot where it was
found. The body was lying back several
feet from the wire fence along the Phelps
street side Of the lot. The face was buried
in the sand with the right hand clinched
and held against the lips. In the back of
the head, on the right side just above
the right ear, was a concavity, and the
right side of the head was covered with
blood and the stem of a bush a half inch
thick was bent over to one side by the
weight of the head leaning against it.
The stem of the bush was covered with
blood. The left leg was drawn up slightly.
Within four feet of the head. on the right
side, was the uniform cap Six feet from
the body. on the ground, was lying a part
ly sucked lemon. The uniform coat was
pulled up over the right hip and the pis-
tol holster was plainly seen, but the pistol
was gone.
BY direction of Justice Wright the body
was turned over and the CHASTITY face of
the dead man showed that he had died in
agony. Between the clenched fingers of
the right hand was the mustache The en-
tire right side of the face was covered
with blood, and where the face had been
buried in the sand was a pool of coagu-
lated blood, which the blow-fiies had al
ready taken possession of.
An examination of the clothing showed
that the coat was unbuttoned. The vest
was buttoned and a watch and chain were
in the vest pocket. The trousers were un-
bottoned from the top down. The belt was
still fastened around the waist and the
suspenders were buttoned to the trousers.
The right hand showed unmistakable signs
of a tussle. a deep scratch runs across the
back of the hand, and it is swollen very.
much larger than its natural size.
A death battle for the pistol
must have ensued, during which the time
the officer was worsted by his antagonist
and his own club was wrenched from his
grasp.
Lieut. Gruber left the police station
Wednesday night at the usual time, a lit
tie after O'clock having already been
home TO his supper, and after that time
he was not seen by any of his superior or
subordinate officers OF the force. lie talked
with Chlet heete at the corner OF Bay
and Liberty streets about o'clock
Lieut.. Gruber was about As years of age
and a native of Charleston, S. c. He has
been connected with the police force off
and on for a number of years, and at the
beginning of the present administration
was appointed first sergeant of police.
When Second Lieut. w. II. Herndon re-
signed in the fall of 1895, he was appoint
ed lieutenant to fill the vacancy, and held
the office up to the time of his death.
The deceased was married, but left no
children. He lived at No. us Cedar street,
Lavilla His wife telephoned to the po-
lice station this morning to inquire why
he did not return home last night when he
got off duty. She supposed that he had
been detailed on special work. The chief
could not explain his absence, as he al
ways reported promptly for duty. In
speaking about his unusual absence al the
station this morning. Judge Dzialynslxi re-
marked: Perhaps he has met with foul
play" The judge had no idea that such
was the case. but his words proved true.
The coroner's jury will meet tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock, and 1t is expected
that the guilty party will be found for
| there is strong suspicion that the lieuten-
| ant was with woman living within three
blocks of where the body was found.
-s-o-S
WILLIAM M. HARIITcE DEAD