The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-11
DETROIT'S MYSTERY
MUSIC TEACHER ARRESTED FOR
MURDER OF GIRL.
HAD BLOOD ON HIS SHIRT.
BLoOD-STAINED RATCHET FOUND
IN HIS KITCHEN.

Evidence Against Prof. j. NJ. Miller
Is Entirely CfrcumstnntiaI, How
ever-Murdered Girl Was Infatu-
Become a Mother in "A Few Months.
Apparently Composed When Ar
rested He Tainted at Police Sta
tiOn-The Murder Most Brutal
One.
Detroit. Mich. April 10.-What the
police consider to be a strong link in
the chain of circumstantial evidence
that they are weaving about Prof.
Joseph NJ. Miller. aged AZ, a music
teacher and married man with a
family, who is under arrest on sus-
picion of brutality numbering Miss Car
RE NJ. Jennett on Thirteenth street,
just before midnight last night, was
discovered this evening.
It is blood-stained hatchet, which
was found in the drawer of table in
Millers kitchen. There is now the
following circumstantial evidence
against Prof. Miller, who was the girl S
music teacher, and had paid her such
marked attentions that her father had
asked him to keep away from the
house.
When he was examined at the Grand
River avenue police station this morn
ing what are supposed to be blood
stains were found on his shirt sleeves,
his trousers, shoes. hat and overcoat;
towel was discovered in his kitchen
with what are supposed to be blood
stains on it: when he was asked for
an explanation of the stains on his
clothing, he gave none and finally the
blood stained Ratchet was found to-
night.
Miss Jennett, who was % years of
age, and who would have become a
mother in few months, was most
brutally done to death just before IL
O'Clock last night She was felled by a
terrific blow on the head which
broke her neck and her throat was
cut from ear to ear. A blow from
some instrument made a hole in the
middle of her forehead and behind her
left ear was a deep stab wound evil
IDENTIFY made by the same instrument
that was used to cut her throat. In
addition to these CHASTITY wounds a
heavy blow had been struck on the side
of her face. fracturing the cheek bone.
Her mutilated body was found in this
condition in a lonely spot on Thirteenth
street. 1t was taken to the morgue and
not identified until this morning.
Miss Jennett left her home last ev-
ening to attend a meeting of the Re
belSah Lodge, of which she was a mem
Der. She left the meeting about 10
o'clock and was not seen again alive.
low At
coming home, and when they heard Of
the murder became fearful that it
might be their daughter. Mr.. Jennett
hurried to the morgue and there iden-
titled the mutilated body.
Was Infatuate With Miller.
The police were working on the case
and questioned him as to the girl. He
told them of her infatuation for Prof.
Miller and the teacher was placed I'M
der arrest. Miller took the situation
very coolly when he was examined at
the station. Nothing could be learned
from questioning him. He was then
ordered to take off his clothes. and on
the shirt the police found blood stains.
Miller offered no explanation of them.
Stain were found on other garments.
Miller still maintained absolute silence.
1t was then decided to lock him up.
While he was being. registered on the
blotter, the music teacher collapsed
and tainted. He was revived only to
faint again as the officers conducted
him to a cell.
Miller left his house last evening
to attend a lodge meeting on Baker
street and returned about 1920 O'Clock
apparently cool and undisturbed. He
says that he did not leave the meeting
until il o'clock. but several persons
who were there say that he left be-
tween 10 and 1920 o'clock. The murder
was committed at HOS o'clock as near
as the officers can learn.
Tonight Miller is sleeping like a
child in the Grand River police sta
ton. While the police think they have
strong circumstantial evidence against
the suspect they admit that they are
still far short of enough to convict of
the murder. Nothing can be gained
from Miller by questioning. He SIM
ply insists that he knows nothing of
the murder.