Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-08-15
TALESOF BARTHOLIN MURDER
Milton L. R. Edwards Says His Suspicious
Have Baen Proven.
HAs STORY 10 TILL CHICAGO OFFICIAL!
Young Man is Greatly worried over
the Chicago Crime IN which
His Friends Appear a.
Principals.


MY conscience Is clear, but my heart Is
almost broken said Milton L. r. Ed-
wards, sitting in a Pullman car which was
taking him from Denver to Chicago. where
he is to divulge all he knows about the
murder Of Mrs. Annie Z. Bartholin and
Miss Minnie Mitchell, who are supposed to
have been killed by william Bartholin, son
Of Mrs. Bartholin.
Mr.. Edwards is the man who wrote from
Omaha to Bob" Mitchell Of Chicago.
brother Of the murdered girl. saying he
believed VIII Bartholin was guilty OF the
double tragedy and urging Mitchell to keep
lookout for the supposed criminal. This
letter was written before the bodies OF the
two victims were found by some Chicago
newspaper men. Edwards, who had been
a roomer at the Bartholin home, came to
Omaha and secured employment in Ar
mour's packing house at South Omaha, but
his stay was Of brief duration. He left the
city for Denver about the time the excite
ment Of the tragedy reached It's climax.
In Denver he told Chief of Police Arm
strong Of his acquaintance with the parties
to this affair and what his feelings were
toward young Bartholsn. This information
was dispatched to Chief O'Neii Of Chicago
and Edwards held himself ready to grant
the request Of the Chicago authorities to
return and further divulge what he knew
or believed concerning the murder. Chief
O'Neil sent for him Wednesday night, when
he left Denver and passed through Omaha
at little after o'clock yesterday after
noon on the Burlington train for Chicago.
These people were my friends and that
is why my heart Is crushed said Ed
wards. his eyes filling with tears as he re-
luctantly yielded TO questions Of the re.
porterss
Did write TO "BOb" Mitchell.
Yes, did write that letter to Bob
Mitchell, saying I thought Will Bartholin
had killed Bob's sister, Minnie, who was
Bartholin's sweetheart, and his own
mother. Bob Mitchell and 1 have been
friends long time and when read Of this
terrible affair In the Omaha papers re-
solved, after some deliberation. that was
In duty bound. both to my dear friend and
to the state, to make a statement. / had
no definite knowledge, but / had strong
suspicious, and these suspicions have been
proven,
Edwards afterward modified this state
ment regarding the proof of the suspicious.
which indicated that he had expressed
himself stronger than he intended. He
said that what he meant by saying the sus-
picions were proven was that they had
been confirmed In his own mind. He de-
clined to say whether or not he had any
actual proof. He added this remark:
81 think no one who has watched the
affair or knows anything about 1t doubts
for minute that Wal Bartholin Is the
''But / must not talk about this mattsr.'
Edwards impuIsively remarked. "for l have
diligently and relieiously evaded the re-
porters ever since this thing came up. and
It would be wrong for me to give out what
have. to say to the authorities. You
must excuse me. gentlemen" So averse to
being interviewed was he that when the
reporters finally located him on the train
be at first denied his identity.
Apparently Edwards is a man Of pro-
iound feeling. a tender heart and sympa-
.hies as cordial and responsive as a
The very thought that his
friends were the unfortunate principals in
such dreadful tragedy seemed to almost
Dverwhelm him. He is a young man. hand
some Of face and figure. affable in manner,
we'll dressed and inviting in general APP
pearance. His countenance is open and
frank, such as would inspire confidence
refined and intelligent.
Motive IL UnIrnOvvn.
what motive could VIII Barthoiin have
had for killing his mother and sweetheart"
was asked Edwards.
II am sure cannot tell you. eir." was
the reply.
ibid Mrs. Barthoiin possess any great
amount of means?"
"That cannot tell. either. You see, I
DnIy roomed at Mrs. Bartholin's house. and
before / went there to room they were
strangers to me. Yet formed very good
friendships among them all. and they were
always very pleasant with me. had often
heard the mother and her son quarreling.
but never saw any evidence OF violence.
do not even know what they quarreled
about. That was none Of my business and
| did not concern myself with IT,"
Asked II Miss Mitchell and young Bar
holm were engaged. Edwards said:
That is something Of which I know moth
ng. They seemed very fond OF each other,
understand. but OF their love affairs /
rave no knowledge whateveR. have heard
t said they were sweethearts from child
hood. do not know"
Bartholin. said Edwards. is about "a years
II age and is a machinist by trade.
Mr.. Edwards expressed the most cordial
respect for the manner Of treatment ac-
corded him by Chief Armstrong Of Dem
Ter. but he said he has had lively time
rying to keep shy Of newspaper men tor
he last week or so. II have really lost ten
pounds in weight. and while Il is due 10
Iome extent to worrying for my friends
Who are In distress, / attribute Il largely
% the strenuous pace ! have Travelled In
jumping from place 20 place to evade the
reporters. for did not want 70 talk until
could talk to oficials. This is too serious
! matter to be generally discussed"
Edwards home is In Ashland. o., but he
lad lived for ten years or more in Chicago.
He has become much impressed with
omaha and Denver aud thinks he viii here
Ifter make his home In the latter city. He
vent back to Chicago at the request ana
Expense Of the Chicago onicials and was