The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-12-30
A Brutal Murder.


A Brutal Murder.
On Christmas morning Mary Amelia
Darby, So years of age, widow of Cap
tain William Darby, was brutally muir
dered at her home in Tuckerton The
woman lived alone in a house near the
centre of the town.
The night before Christmas Mrs. Darby
called at the house of her daughter in-law,
leaving there for home at about three
quarters of an hour past midnight. She
was not seen alive after that
| No one saw her at her home on Christ
mas day, but no suspicious were aroused
until about six o'clock that evening, when
Robert Smith, newspaper carrier, stop
ped at the place to leave paper. Not
finding the door unlocked he looked in
window and saw the nude body of the
widow lying on the floor.
He at once notified some neighbors. who
called in DR.. Charles Conover, and the
house was entered. The woman was
found to be dead, so Coroner Clarence
Cramer, of West Greek, was notified.
An examination showed that Mrs. Oar
bys clothing had been torn from her with
the exception of her shoes and stockings
The clothing was torn into shreds and was
scattered over the floor. The body was
mass of bruises, and the head and face
were battered almost beyong recognition
Her neck showed evidence of having
been badly choked. The room showed
there had been desperate struggle. Mrs.
Darby was an active, strong woman, and
she evidently gave her assailant a terrific
tussle. The remainder of the house was
in its normal condition.
Prosecutor t. r. j. Brown, of Toms Riv-
er, was notified, and he at once telegraph
ed for Ellis HI. Parker, state detective, at
Mount Holly. The prosecutor, detective
and exSheriff John Hagaman at once
went to Tuckerton and the investigation
was begun.
Detective Parker soon ascertained the
names of nineteen men who had been
known to frequent the house in times
past They were all asked to account for |
their whereabouts on the night in ques-
ton, which most of them did satisfaction |
lily.
The investigation brought out the fact |
that two men, Albert Styles and Charles
Bennett, had called at the house early on |
Wednesday evening. Styles acknowledged
having been there and accounted for his
time from then on until the next morning.
Bennett at first denied having been at
the house, but when informed of what |
other witnesses had said, he admitted hav-
ing called there early in the evening. He
explained his doings until H. 10 that |
night, when he claims he left for home, |
distance of about twenty minutes walk.
But he did not arrive home until 1 80 in |
the morning
On being searched by officer Parker,
some bloody paper and rags were found
in Benefits coat and vest pockets. He
could not tell where they came from. 1t
was established that it was the coat and
vest he had worn that night.
A search of his house revealed the
trousers worn by Bennett that night. In
one of the pockets was a key to Mrs
Darby's front door. The person who COM
mitted the crime had locked the door
when he went out, taking the key away.
Bennett lived with his father and moth
er, aged respectively so and 65 years, in a
portion of the town known as Galetown.
When asked about the key, the man
could give no satisfactory reply. Neither
could he account how a revolver which
Mrs. Darby was known to own and which
could not be found in her house came to
be located in his house. When asked to
describe the revolver, he showed a great
lack of knowledge about it.
The Prosecutor considered he had con-
evidence against Bennett and or
dered him sent to Jail at Toms River. The
case will go before the next grand jury,
which meets 10 March
Bennett is SO years of age. He is near
ly six feet high. He is said to be fond of
whiskey and cards, and is alleged to have
travelled in bad company lately. He has
lived in Tuckerton about one year. Be-
fore that he was resident of Atlantic
City. Drs. Lane and Price held an au-
topsy on Mrs. Darby. Their testimony
will be given at the coroners inquest to
be held on Friday.
Mrs. Darby had two sons and daugh-
ter. The latter arrived at Tuckerton on
Sunday. The sons, Orlando and William,
are captain and first mate respectively of
vessel en- route from Newport News to
New York.
Detective Parker is still engaged in in
vestigating the case.