The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-01

where Helmes' house stood. He
thought Van Horn was coming to him
to seek shelter, but he would have none
of him. he said. The police hurried to
the spot and made a thorough search
of the neighborhood, but no trace of
Van Horn could be found.
Helmes now says that Van Horn told
him at their recent interview that he
saw the police coming and crowded un-
der the porch of Helmes' house, where
he remained until nearly day break.
Another man named Hill, who also
lives on the West Side and who worked
with Van Horn cutting timber some
years ago says he encountered Van
Horn near Starrucca- A third man
whose name the county detective did
not have at hand, claims that he
drank with Van Horn near the North
west colliery near Simpson.
After closely questioning the infor-
mants County Detective Leyshon
made trips to Suspuehanna county and
secured the region about Forest City
but could learn nothing to substantiate
the reports brought him by the three
men above noted. 1t was also reported
at one time that Mrs. Van Horn, mother
Of the fugitive, was in the habit of
carrying food to her son. She was
shadowed one day by the county detec-
tive from Dunmore to Carbandale, but
here he lost track of her. She had a
large basket with her at the time.
1t Is likely that Van Horn got wind
of the county detective having been
In pursuit of him and having shadowed
his mother for her trips with food
ceased then and there. 1t is thought
that Van Horn was in hiding about
Forest City until a short time ago and
was led to go west by the discoveries
which the police made.
PREPARING THE PAPERS.
While awaiting an answer to his tele-
gram Chief Robling busted himself
about the requisition papers. The de-
position of Mrs. Fetterolf, who was in
the house at the time of the murder:
George Wickenhoffer, who knew of the
trouble Mrs. Wescott had with Van
Horn, and of the chief. who told of the
hight and search, were taken by Dis
trict Attorney John X. Jones and will
be forwarded to Harrisburg with Lieu
tenant Davis and Detective Moir to-
day.
Thomas F. Jones, a bricklayer of 1923
FRANKLIN avenue, was one of the army
OF amateur detectives who did work on
the Van Horn case, when the search
was first being prosecuted. 1t was
thought possible that he might be the
Thomas F. Jones who sent the tele-
gram, but this was proven to be a mis-
taken conjecture as the Franklin ave-
nue. Jones was found at his home last
evening by Tribune reporter
The crime which Van Horn will an
swer for was committed about s o'clock
Friday evening, August 2S 1896. Mrs.
Josephine Wescott went into the cellar
of her residence at corner of Franklin
avenue and Linden street to get some
potatoes. A minute later she tottered
up the stairs with her throat cut from
ear to ear. To one of the boarders she
exclaimed, George Van Horn did it,"
and then fell to the floor. She died at
the Lackawanna hospital at 1856
o'clock the next morning. A razor
which was identified as Van Horn s
was found in the cellar. Some one
broke in the door of the cellar that
night and it is supposed that it was
Van Horn in quest of the tell-tale ra-
zor
The motive for the crime is said to
have been revenge. Not long before
the murder Mrs. Wescott had Van
Horn arrested for stealing SIS from her
room. Van Horn until a few months
before the murder boarded with Mrs.
Wescott and it is said annoyed her with
his attentions. The arrest at her in
stigation, it is thought, caused him
such humiliation that he was moved
to the murderous revenge.
The county commissioners offered a.