The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-12
A CHASTITY MURDER
I he Victims Music Teacher
Under Arrest.
Strong Sircumstantial Evidence Found Against
Him. The Girl Would Soon Have Be-
come Mother.
(By the Associated Press.)

BY the Associated PfeSS.D
Detroit, Mich, April 10.-What the pO-
lice consider to be a strong link in the
chain of circumstantial evidence that
they are weaving about Prof. Joseph M.
Miller aged Al a music teacher and
married man, with a family, who is
under arrest on suspicion of brutally
numbering Miss Carrie NJ. Jennett on
18th street, just before midnight last
night, was discovered this evening.
1t is a blood stained Ratchet which
was found in the drawer of table in
Millers kitchen. There is now the fol-
lowing circumstantial evidence against
Prof. Miller, who was the girls 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; a
towel was discovered in his kitchen with
what are supposed to be bloodstains ON
it; when he was asked for an explana-
ton of the stains on his clothing he
gave none and finally the bloodstained
hatchet was found tonight.
Miss Jennett, who was % years of age
and who would have become a mother in
few months, was most brutality done
to death just before II 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 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 addi-
tion to these CHASTITY wounds a heavy
blow had been struck on the side of her
face, fracturing the check bone. Her
mutilated body was found in this con-
diton in a lonely spot on 18th street.
She was taken to the morgue and not
identified until this morning
Miss Jennett left her home last even
ing to attend a meeting of the Rebecca
Lodge, of which she was member.
She left the meeting about 10 o'clock and
was not seen again alive. Her parents
were alarmed at her not coming home,
and when they heard of the murder be-
came fearful that it might be their
daughter. Mr.. Jennett hurried to the
morgue and there identified the mu-
tilated body.
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 under
arrest. Miller took the situation very
coolly when he was examined at the sta
ton 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
More stains were found on other gar
ments. Miller still maintained absolute
silence. 1t was then decided 20 loci him
up. While he was being registered on
the blotter the music teacher collaps I'd
and tainted He was revived only to
faint again as the officers conducted him
to a cell
Miller left his house last evening 20
attend lodge meeting on Baker street
and returned about 11:20 o'clock appar-
emily cool and undisturbed. H, alleges
that he did not leave the meeting until
II O'Clock but several persons who were
there say that he left between 10 and
1920 O'Clock The murder was commit
ted at five minutes after II o'clock as
near as the officers can learn.
Tonight Miller is sleeping like a child
i'll the Grand River police station. While
the police think they have strong cir
cImstantial evidence against the suspect
they admit that they are still far short
of enough to convict him of the murder
Nothing can be gained from Miller by
questioning. He simply insists that he
knows nothing of the murder