Evening star., 1898-07-20

noon Of June % that Mr.. Brooks, seventy
three years old, vas killed with an az at
his home, No. 9i4 22d street. His wife,
sixty-fve years old, was then chopped
about the head with the weapon and rob-
bed of the 81 800 she had saved during the
past quarter of a century AS published in
The Star at the time of the commission of
the crime, the police supposed that Brooks
had ssaulted his wife and had then taken
his own life. There was conclusive proof
to the contrary, but there was no state
ment made that night which implicated
Funk's name was mentioned by daughters
Of the aged couple and suspicion fell upon
him. Detective Lacy found Funk's cloth
ing In hotel, where he had left them when
stained garments. which were fully identi-
ned, proved to be a strong link in the chain
OF evidence that was gathered about the
man now in custody.
1t was after this horrible crime COM
mitted that the story of Funk's dual life
was made known. When he was quite a
boy Funk lived in this city and persons
VINO knew him regarded him as an unde-
sirable companion for their children. Later
on in life he learned the carpenter trade
and married a Baltimore girl, whom he de-
serted after cruel treatment. His wife and
child now live at Laurel. About 1895 he
was arrested on charge of false pretenses.
He managed to keep out of the peniten-
tiary and in January, 1895, enlisted in the
army and was stationed at the arsenal in
this city.
Became Deserter.
Four months later he deserted and went
to Philadelphia. There he married a Miss
Bederbeck, and later on deserted her and
returned to this city. He worked on the
Conduit road, and through a near relative
he met members of the Brooks family who
introduced him at Mrs Buckley's boarding
L
names of Wilson and Fink, and correspond
ed with his Philadelphia wife, although he
had told her TO spread the report that he
was dead. Although he had two wives liv-
Ing Funk was apparently looking for VIC
tim No. prior to the murder for he was
endeavorins to make himself popular with
the women whom he met. He knew that
Nanny Brooks had large sum of
money and he laid plans to get it. Several
days before he was to execute the plan he
had arranged he wrote a letter to his
Philadelphia wife making engagement
to meet her. He explained in his letter how
she was to send him cipher telegram in
response to his letter, and his failure to
meet her in Philadelphia at 18th and Chest
nut streets the morning after the crime
was committed was probably due to a de-
lay in the receipt of the letter. The tele-
gram reached Mrs. Buckley's boarding
house about four hours too late.
Detectives Weldon and Phillips were de-
tailed on the case the morning after the
crime was committed ana together with
Precinct Detective McGlue they obtained
considerable evidence of Importance.
Action of Grand Jury.
The grand jury is tolay considering the
case. Several witnesses were examined
during the morning, 1t is believed that the
grand jury will return two true bills
against Funk, one for murder in the first
degree and one for the attempted murder
of Mrs. Brooks. Indictments are being pre-
pared, and Assistant District Attorney
Shillington said to a Star reporter today
that immediate action will be taken in the
case.