The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
TIE EYRE
MURDER.
Reason For Pierce's En-
nifty May Be In The
Case.

Chester, Pa, Feb. 1.-Althongh IL may
| eventually appear that revenge wa. tho
motive for the murder OF George B. Eyre
and the robbing OF tho dead body Of the
| gold watch and diamond ring was incl
dental, there Is nothing made public at
this time upon which to predicRe this
theory. A report was, however, made TO
Cbof Berry day or two ago, which, IL
true, would prove that Jim Pierce accus.
ed OF killing Eyre, had reason to dislike
him.
This report the Chief is investigating
His inquire. are being conducted with
oil secrecy. The information apparently
comes from responsible source. In this
connection 1t Is not strange has for some
days past the Chief mas openly stated his
belief that Ey was accidentally shot and
killed. But in giving this out as mis-
opinion hs Is serving purpose reserviug
the real conclusion he has searched until
something deiinn'e develops.
A statement hat Eyre collected several
small bills duo his fathers estate. which
business called him tD Philadelphia the
day previous to his disappearance, is be-
lieved not to DO true. AS amatter OF fact
these bills were collected some tims before
and 1t is scarcely possible that Eyre would
leave S2b in his clothes at the rooms OF the
Alpha Bmt Club and put.,he amount
asserted, $50, In his ducking suit when hu
could not possibly spend any money on
the river, 1t was noe Eyre's custom to
take valuables with him when he went
for days cunning, and it Is probable
that no one knew this hettor than Jun
Pierce, now charged with his murder,
who was generally taken by Eyre on these
trips. ~
Until another and stronger motive Is
proved, the Common wealth will attemp5
to show that Eyre was murdered for tho
valuabes taken from his body. These
were ths Parker guns, his gold watch end
diamond ring.
AS Fyre's disappearance was not re.
ported to the police until Sunday, and
The murder theory was not exploited un-
I'll TUESDAY, there were tiiee days in
which the murderer could dispose OF tho
booty at II Philadelphia or a Wilmington
pawnsbop. The pawnshops in both cities
have been very thoroughly Investigated.
mud from the fact that no trace Of tho
stolen articles can bo discovered, there is
now belief that perhaps the murderer
di, posed Of the vnluAbles otherwise than
through u pawn broker.
Sleaklng OF the probability Of Mary
Cowan's testimony that Pierce told her
hU killed Eyre, Chief Berry said Tonight;
"If she was concocing a story Mary
CowHn would have told it in detail. But
Jim Picrce's confes ion to Eor was related
ju-t as it would naturally occur. %rou-
blcd by bad dream, no mutterea the
startling words which aw0ke Mary. Tnen
uncertain how much she had heard, he
told her WHO he had killed aui where &
was and how the body had beon disposed
of with his brother Pinney's help. That
was her testimony, and she will tell IL
just as npressively on the stand before
the Court and jury
The Commonwu ,lth Is apparently lit.
tie troubled over the most determined at.
Its star witness when the case comes to
trial. As to Jun PicrScs visit 20 tho
Tatnall street buuse in Wilmington after
Eyre WAS murdered there Is amp,e cor.
rUbDrative evidence. although Jim Pierce
denies baing there
Media, Pa. Feb. 1.--Gporge Pierce, q
brother Of James and "pinney,' was u
caller at the Jail to-,iay but remained only
n short time. He talked TO his brothers
from he window ia tho door of tho cell,
through which he slook hands wi h them
and asked how ihey were getting aion..
After few miantc, qutct talk h, went
away.
There is very little probability that ,he
murder case win be hoard nv he March
term Of Court Nel her side is ANXIOUS Tor
an early trial, owing TO want OF time for
preparation Tho business of the Courts
is far Lehind. 1t is believed that the now
judge, whoever no may be, will grant q
continuance until Juue.