New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-26
BLONDIN CAUGHT IN TRAP.
NAN ACCUSED OF WIFE MURDER AR.
RESTED AT HEADQUARTERS.
WHILE THERE TO GET AN ENGINEERS
LICENSE. HE LOOKED AT A PICTURE
OF HIMSELF ON A POSTER

LICENSE. He LOOKED AT A PICTURE
OF HIMSELF ON A POSTER.
a sensational arrest was made yesterday az
Police Headquarters Joseph Wilfred Blondin.
2 French Canadian, accused Of the murder Of
his wife a. Chelmsford. Mass. on June 10 1901.
vao had evaded police search was taken into
custody in the corridor Of the building. He ad-
rrftted his identity later, but declared that he
did not murder his wife. In the Centre-st. court
he vas remanded until to-day. when requisition
papers are expected. and he probably will be
taken 10 Lowell Mass.
4 few days ago Blondin went to Police Head
quarters and applied in the Bureau Of Boiler
Inspection for an engineers license. poster
Issued by the Boston Police Department. on
which was q portrait Of Bondon. with a full
description Of him. and a specimen OF his hand
writing. was on the wall of the office Of the
bureau Roundsman LufIier noticed the re-
sembIauce between the applicant and the pict-
Eye while Blondon himself was looking at the
poster one day. Luf1er informed Captain Titus,
who telegraphed 10 the Boston police. and yes
1e-day Chief Inspector Walls, Of Boston. sent
Charles Patterson here.
LufHer, by order Of Captain Titus. told Bion-
Gin 70 come 10 Headquarters yesterday morn
ing for examination. It was arranged that the
roundsman and the suspected man should stand
beside one Of the big windows in the main cor
rldor opposite the Detective Bureau. while Pat
terson came by and took a look at Blondin
Detectives Oppenheim and McCauley were near
Blondin is A powerful man. Detectives
Hughes and Coyle came up the hallway from
the opposite direction with Patterson. II was
planned that If Patterson recognized Blondin
ne was TO say Yes" and then the detectives
were 10 seize Bloudin.
Patterson recognized BIondin. who submitted
70 the detectives without a struggle. He was
taken 10 the Detective Bureau where he first
said that he was Joseph Bernard. twenty eight
years old, a French-Canadian. single, living at
the Hotel Brunswick. Eighty -ninth-st- and
Madison ave. Il was learned that he had been
employed for two months al that hotel as a
fireman. and was known there as Bernard.
Previously. as letters Of recommendation in mis-
possession showed he had ben employed in
Mount Vernon and in White Plains.
When BlOndin understood that he had beeh
Identified positively. he admitted his identity
Then ne said he did not Kill his wife Her
headess BODY found in the woods near
Chelmsford. midway between Boston and Low
81. June 10. Later the head was found
under a bridge spanning a, small stream near by
When her body was identified Blondin had dis
appeared. He was traced 10 this city. but the
police were unable 10 find him here Blondin
was employed in q bakery as engineer and fire
man before the murder. He sald yesterday
that the he Of his wife was when
he took her 70 the station AT Boston. He went
% purchase her ticket. and while he was doing
80 she disappeared. He did not know what be-
came u her, and heard nothing OF her where
sDouts until the discovery Of her body linen,
he SAYS. fearing that he would be suspected OF
me crime. he made UP his mind TO fee, ana
came 70 New-York. He says he lived a little
Mount Vernon. Then he obtained job as coal
passer on a North German Lloyd steamship, ana
made several trips across the ocean and back
He said that the position of engineer at the