Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-09-04
A MURDER NEAR BRlDGETON.


Bridgeton, N. j., Aug. 20. The
burning of the barn on the farm oi
John 8. Holmes, an aged and we'll.
knbwn farmer, at Bowentown, about
four miles from this city, and the dis
-covery in the ruins of the remains OF
Holmes and his aged housekeeper,
Catherine Shute, lead to the belief
that the couple were murdered. There
are many circumstances to sustain this
belief, and the arrest of Charles HI.
Williams, colored, who had been en-
ployed by Holmes, was at once made.
Williams established fair alibi, how
ever, and the police yesterday after
noon arrested Job Williams, another
employe of the farmer, on suspicion.
How the old farmer and his house
keeper came to be in the barn is the
mystery which gives greatest strength
to the fear that they we're victims of
foul play. Holmes was SO years old,
and Miss Shute, who had been in his
employ for more than 25 years, was 65.
They lived alone in the house. though
Job Williams had room there. On
the farm of 100 rich acres also lived
Holmes son Charles, who managed the
business for his father.
Soon after supper Wednesday Charles
Holmes took out merry party of
strawriders, and all on the farm was
we'll when he left. That was $50
o'clock. At 7.20 o'clock flames burst
out of the big double barn, which
stood near the house. William Vine
yard, who is the nearest neighbor, saw
the light, and ran over. He was amazed
to find the doors of the building all
secured, but he burst in and endeavored
to rescue the horses, but was driven
back by the intense heat. Mrs. Vine
yard had followed her husband, and
when he was unable to get into the
barn she tried to enter the house. This
she was unable to do, because all the
doors were locked. They forced win
dow and opened the kitchen door. Not
a trace. of living soul could be found,
and they were deeply mystified.
Whom the ruins of the barn had
sufficiently cooled party of searchers
went through them, and in little
while came upon traces of the remains
of the farmer and his housekeeper. All
that remained to show human form
were two heaps of bones. One was
singled out. as that of Holmes by means
of suspender buckles, a bunch of keys
and a knife. The other was recognized
as that of his housekeeper by means of
q belt buckle and some hairpins. When
Charles Holmes returned with his party
of merrymakers he was Frustrated by
the tragedy.
Inquiry was at once set on foot. 1t
was found that Holmes had discharged
Charles Williams last week and that
they had dispute over small amount
of wages due the man. In that dispute,
it was alleged, Williams had said:
t'This will cost the old man good
deal more than S3. . The man was ar
rested. He denied all knowledge of
the fire and said that he had spent
Wednesday afternoon and night at
Springtown, O colored settlement six
miles away, but he refused to say who
he was with. Officers at once began
to trace his movements, and he was
locked up.
Attention was then given Job Will
liams, relative of the other man, and
who was in the employ of the farmer.
He was to have been married last
night, and said that he spent Wednes-
day night In rehearsing at the church
for the momentous event. He told the
officers that suit Of clothes which he
had taken to the house Wednesday and
S25 in money had been stolen from his
room. 1t was then believed that ne
was telling all the truth, but further
inquiry led to the belief that he knew
more about the tragedy than he cared
to tell and he was arrested.
The arrest was made at the instance
OF Albert McAllister, assistant to
Prosecutor Fithian, who put in the
whole day on the case. Mr.. McAllister
quickly exploded Williams story of the
loss of a new suit of clothing. 1t was
learned that Job had considerable
money Wednesday night, and he was
closely questioned. He said he had
been working for SIS a month since
March 17th, and that he had saved $40
for his wedding last night He de-
clared thai. to be all the money he had
and that he showed. Late Wednesday
night Williams hired horse of Nat
A tkinson of this city, and his intended
bride, Chrissie Hubbard was with him.
He paid for the team from a long
leather wallet in which was pile Of
notes and handed the wallet to the
girl, who placed it in the bosom OF her
dress. When asked where the wallet
was yesterday, Williams took from his
pocket a small book containing 81,
and said that was all he had. Pressed,
ne finally said he had given the long
purse to his girl to keep for him. Tho |
officers visited the girl, who at once
produced the long wallet. In it was
s39, making $50 in all, or Sc more
han he could have earned since March |
18th, admitting he had not spent a
,ent, and it is known that he had spent |
for the approaching we'd
ling. Job further said that Mr..
Holmes gave him 81 Wednesday night |
before he left home.
Charles Holmes says that his father |
llways kept a purse containing at least |
i50 in desk in the house, but search |
If the premises does not reveal a cent |
anywhere. Williams was committed to
all without bail, Two hundred inyi-
ations had been sent out for his we'd
ling.
Az first the officials were inclined to
'alieye that Mr.. Holmes had disco 7ered |
lis barn afire, and, accompanied by his |
iousekeeper, had gone out to save the |
took. He was partly blind, and Miss |
,hute frequently aided him in his |
york. When they followed out the |
acts, however, they found themselves |
gainst some that could not be ex- |
'lained upon this theory. Mr.. Vine
ard, the neighbor, who was first on |
he scene, says the barn was locked |
rom the outside, and that the house |
vas similarly locked. A search of the |
louse, however, failed to reveal any
igns Of a struggle, nor were there any |
1f hat L \