The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-24
THINK HE KILLED AHEARN
Police Get More Evidence Against the
Prisoner IPnO.

NEW ROCHELLE, n. y, June 23.-Facts
discovered to-day by the police and detec-
tves who are trying to run down the muir
derer of Policeman Maurice Ahearn greatly
strengthen the theory that Frank PefIo,
the Italian who was arrested in Scarsdale
last night, committed the crime. The
police say now that the only link that they
need to complete a chain of circumstantial
evidence against the prisoner is the find
ing in his possession Of the bag which the
murderer carried on his back when Ahearn
halted him.
Several facts seeming to involve the
prisoner were learned to-day by Coroner
Wisendanger. He discovered that on the
day after the murder Peffo had visited a
girl in Oak street and that he had washed
his coat and hung it on the clothesne
In the back yard to dry. The police have
learned that Peffo had been accustomed to
pass through the park when he went to call
on his friends.
1t also became known that the conserva-
tories of Henry Siebrecht had been robbed
on the night of the murder and that the
thief stole some flowers from a barrel.
The flowers in the barrel we're packed in
raffia, the same material which was found
near tue SpOl Vic PoliNcihuh " 40
shot to death.
Another robbery occurred the same night,
at the home of exAlderman Robert Archer,
a neighbor of Mr.. Siebrecht. The police
have learned that Pefo formerly worked
| for Mr.. Siebrecht. but was discharged a
few months ago and that he had been seen
| in New Rochelle on the night Of the rob-
| berries and murder.
bn ual n Irt h.
ened after the Italian g arrest by the dis,
| covery that he had bruises on his head
which Doctors Emberson and Brennan
think were made with club. Since his
arrest the Italian has told conflicting stories
| to the Coroner and the police are convinced
that his explanation Of how he received
| the bruises on his head is false. The Italian
told them that he was hurt by falling while
crawling through wire fence. They say
the fence he mentioned does not exist
The case against the Italian appeared
so strong this evening that he was ar
raigned before Police Justice Phelps as
suspicious person and remanded IN the
custody Of the police. His brother is also
being held as witness. The suspected
man passed through a dramatic ordeal
this morning at o'clock, when blood
hourd was brought to the police station,
after having secured the park, and was
turned loose in his cell.
The, suspected man, grew pale and
trembled with fear as the animal smeled
of his clothing. Sergeant Cody removed
the mans hat and allowed the dog to smell
it, also the wounds on his head, which are
supposed to have been made by the MIR
dered polcenan's club The bloodhound,
| after spending a few minutes in the cell,
! gave up the scent seeming to lose interest
in the prisoner.
The funeral of the murdered policeman
was held this morning IL the Church Of the
Blessed Sacrament. While the service In
the church was being held the Knights Of
Columbus and many other residents were
! securing the park ard adjoining country
| with the bloodhound. The searching party
| gave the dog the sc:nt by shaking before
| him the clothing worn by the murdered
| policeman and they also allowed him to
| smell the nigh, stick with which Ahearn
beat his assailant in the death struggle.
| The animal set out through the park sniff
firg and barking
II soon became apparent to those in
| charge of the hound, however, that he
was following the beat patrolled by Ahearn
the night he was murdered, instead Of the
route by which his slayer fled from the
park,
After tho dog had thoroughly explored
| The park he returned 10 the spot where the
| tragedy occurred and took up new scent.
| which it is believed may have been the
| path taken by the murderer. The route
| led through Park place, crossing North
street. and then into Sickels avenue, where
the trail was again lost. The bloodhound
will be shipped back to Massachusetts,
tomorrow. a. the police realize that the
trail has grown too col d tor him to follow.