The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-01-31
THE FOSBURG AFFAIR.
Contractor Talks Freely Of the Arrest
Of His Son.
HAS DETECTIVES AT WORK.
Declares They Are Busfly Engaged
Trying 10 Run Down Men He
Believes Responsible For
His Daughters Death.

New York, Jan. 30.-Robert L. Eos
burg. the Buffalo contractor who has
been doing work at Pittsfeld, Mass, and
whose son, Robert L. Fosburg. is under
Indictment for manslaughter in killing
his sister last August, is in this city with
his wife. He said that the purpose Of his
trip vas 70 see his wife's brother off for
Europe.
Hare you any intention OF retaining
attorneys from this city to aid In the de-
Tense Of your son when bis case comes TO
trial in july That has been suggested
as an object OK your visit here. Is that
so?' Mr.. Fosbure was asked.
NO be replied. This visit, as
have stated, was made purely for social
reasons-private business, | may say
Mr. Fosburg feels keenly the trouble
which was precipitated upon him 50 sud.
denly last week. He talks with reserve,
but there is an undercurrent Of deep
motion in what he says. He is sturdily
built man, Of middle age, with a shrewd,
pleasant, aggressive face and energetic
demeanor. He speaks with emphasis
and his words carry conviction, There
was no need 10 ask him if he believed
biz son innocent. He made his listeners
feel he was sure Of it. He was BIZ
pressed for time to fill engagements, and
be wasted no words in beating around for
answers 10 questions.
"D0 you know what the value Of the
evidence presented TO the grand jury
that indicted your son wasf' was one Of
the interrogations put 70 him.
Police Chiefs Evidence.
NO, but | think 1t il understood on
pretty good authority that it was chiefly
the evidence Of Chief Of Police Nichol-
son. II Is remarkable thing that none
Of the neighbors who heard my wife cry
ont, who heard the shots fired and who
were in my house within FIVE minutes
from the first disturbance was called to
testify at the inquest or before the grand
Jury. There are two denials that have
made in connection with this whole af-
fair that ] may repeat again. The init
nation that there was any trouble be-
tween me and my son Is false. The init
nation that Miss Sheldon, our guest,
was spirited away is also false
How do you account for the indict-
ment!'' Mr. Fosburg was asked.
II have my suspicious" was the reply
| Hbut / have no theories TO advance, and
| | am not attacking the chief Of police
| There have been other mysteries in that
part Of Massachusetts that remained
mysteries. and the police system has beer
assaulted on that account
| Mr.. Fosburg was asked II he would
make an effort to obtain permission t
| inspect the minutes Of the grand jur!
which found the indictment against youn.
| Fosburg and il it were customary il
| Massachusetts, TO allow such inspection
He answered.:
Il think the effort will be made. un
derstand that in manslaughter cases tn
state is not obliged to divulge its eyi
dcnce, but ! think that way will b
found 70 get nj the minutes"
II is true, as has been reported, tn
contractor said, that he has detectives il
his employ who are working on othe
clews and other evidence to discover til
perpetra tors Of the crime in his house
Phis clew was furnished by his son, til
accused men, who went TO Taunton
where some men alleged TO be members o
gang OF robbers who had been workin
in rural Massachusetts were in Jail await
ing trial. One Of the men, whom youn
Fosbnrg thought he recognized, told hir
that he was not the man wanted.
The prisoner said that a man by tn
name 81 Quinn was the fellow he shoul
look for. 1t has been learned that Quin
was or is a member Of the SO Gale
wire" gang Of robbers which has bee
operating in the Berkshires and to whic
are credited several robberies in an
about Pittsfield.