Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-15
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
FRANCISCO BRUNO ACCUSED OF
NUMBERING A FARMER
Crime Committed in Prince Georges
County Last December-Arrest
Made in New Jersey.

Francisco Bruno. the Italian charged with
the murder of Mr.. Van Brownell. near
Bowie, Prince Georges county. Nd. the
18th of December last. reached here this
morning from Elizabeth. n. J., in charge OF
Constable Arthur b. Suit. He was taken to
police headquarters. where he was inter-
viewed by Sergeant Carter, and was then
conveyed to the sixth precinct police sta
ton and detained until the hour arrived for
him to take the train on the Chesapeake
Beach railroad on the way to Marlboro. He
reached the county seat shortly after ~
o'clock and was placed In jail The April
term Of the county court is in session. and
1t is likely that the case will be tried next
week.
Constable. Suit, who. 1t is understood does
most of the detective work for the county,
had lively experience in Elizabeth yes
terday. The man then under arrest was
not the man wanted. and Constable Suit
suggested to Detective Murphy, who had
made the arrest. that they make search
of the city in an effort to find the man I'M
der charges. Several days previously the
constable was informed that Bruno was in
Elizabeth, and his information was that he
was frequently with red-haired Italian,
named Frank Russo. Detective Murphy
soon found the man with red hair and his
companion was placed under arrest. He
denied that he was Francisco Bruno, but
he was judged by his company. and Con-
stdDle Sult was nOtllleu OF the arrest. AS
stated, the suspect was released.
Henry Crist, colored, one of the principal
witnesses against the man accused of the
crime. went with the Elizabeth detective
and the Maryland constable to the Italian
quarter, known Petertown. and in
stituted thorough search for Bruno.
They made a tour of the railroad shops
and other indoor places where the weather
conditions did not interfere with work. but
no trace of Bruno was found Then the
trio visited the saloons and other places
where Italians were known to congregate
when not engaged at labor.
Trouble Threatened.
big saloon conducted by an italian
was visited, and more than three dozen or
the foreigners We're seated about tables
playing cards and drinking beer.
There he is now shouted the colored
boy upon entering the place.
Frank Russo, the man with red hair, was
seated at table, and the detective and
constable thought Crist referred to him.
mo, 1 mean there's the man who killed
Mr.: Brownell,' the colored boy explained.
There's Bruno
Francisco was thereupon placed under
arrest and a riot seemed imminent. Every
man at the tables arose and a number Of
them conversed in an excited manner but
what they saying the Americans
could not understand.
Let him CO. ordered q man who came
from behind the bar with a beer glass in
his hand. Hes my friend the man
added, land has done nothing wrong"
Constable Suit. who had been advised
that trouble might result from the visit TO
the Saloon did not intend TO be robbed Of
his prisoner If he could help it, and, draw
ing his revolver, he warned those within
his hearing that any demonstration on their
part would mean trouble. The man with
the glass in his hand returned to his posi-
ton behind the bar, while those, who had
closed in upon the officers and their pris-
oner moved back.
The Alleged Crime.
Then Francisco Bruno walked out of the
saloon with the officers and the colored
witness and was taken to police headquar
ters He speaks English fairly well and
was willing to discuss any subject other
than the murder. Farmer Van Brownell
lived not far from Bowie. where he owned
a valuable farm. The day he was murder
ed he went through the woods on his
farm, driving over the log road. An Ital-
ian, alleged to be the man under arrest, was
the farm cunning and the owner of !
the property ordered him off the place
The trespasser. who was employed on the
electric road, objected to being deprived Of
his sport and trouble ensued. large !
sharp instrument used and stab
wound In the farmers side ended his life.
He was dead when the tragedy was made
known and an Italian was seen to come
from the woods about the time the body
was found. This man. it is alleged, was
Bruno. Mr.. Brownells wagon and horse
were found near where his dead body lay.
An investigation was made by Constable
Suit and it is due to his untiring eftorts
that Francisco Bruno is now in the Marl-
ho,-n toll