New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-19

MAY BE WORK OF RIVAL.
Mystery in Case of Man apparently
Dying IN Buggy.

Much mystery surrounds the case OF Otto
Gilbert an employe of The Cosmopolitan Maga-
zine" at Irvington-on-the-H Hudson, who was
found bound hand and foot and gagged and ap-
parently dying in the bottom of a buggy at that
place last night.
Attached TO the buggy a sorrel horse,
which had the appearance of having been driven
a long distance The reins were dragging on
the ground and the horse was walking along
Broadway when it was seen by several persons
who were standing in front of Buckley & Ra-
bens's store. Policeman Kenneally stopped the
horse and then began a search for the driver
In the bottom of the buggy lay Gilbert, who
was moaning and appeared to be dying His
face was covered with blood. and he doubled
up so that his hands and feet were tied to-
gether, while his handkerchief was tied over his
mouth to hold another rag, which had been
stuffed between his teeth TO prevent him from
making oHtcry.
Policeman Kenneally drove the rig the
police station in the Irvington Town Hail. where
Gilbert laid a couch and searched. The
officers found his watchchain dangling from his
vest, while his gold watch missing. 1t was
known that he had money about him when he
left Irvington yesterday morning. but not a cent
was found in his pockets. The only thing found
on him by Policeman KennealIy were two pack
ages of cigarettes.
When the police failed to bring Gilbert to con-
sciousness DR.. r. B. Contant, of Tarrytown.
was sent for He said the man suffering
from knockout drops. and. despite his efforts. he
could not bring him out of the stupor. Gilbert
was found about I43 p. m. and he still
unconscious at a late hour last night.
So mysterious is the case that Captain Smith
of the Irvington police force, put all his men
at work to try TO unravel it. An odd feature
in connection with the case is the fact that a
CIV nd in
his pocket. In the letter a paragraph
You will find me dead on the Aqueduct."
Mr.. Gilbert the police learned. intended TO
marry Miss Nellie Curry, of South Est. Irving
ton on next Sunday, but for some reason the
engagement was broken. He had been employed
bv THE Cosmopolitan" for seven months,
and was always considered a hard working, in
dustrious young He was twenty-five
years old. 1t has been his frequent habit to
hire horse and buggy from s. T. Knapp a liv-
ervman of Tarrytown. and take young women
friends out driving. He hired a rig from Mr..
Knapp yesterday and said he would not be
hack until @ n m. 1t had always been his Gus
tom to return from his drives about >
n m but Yesterday he said he go
ing 10 take a longer drive. No one knows
who Gilbert took driving with him, and this
is one of the many mysteries connected with
the case that the police are trying to clear up.
Since Gilbert has been in the police station
the police say he keeps moaning Don't do It,
joe" 1t is the firm opinion of the police that
If Gilbert was not robbed by highwaymen. then
he was the victim OF jealous rival
The young man was bound with tie rope.
which had been placed under the seat by Nr.
Knapp when he sent the carriage out of his
stable In order that a firm knot could be Sc
cured, Gilbert had been doubled up so that his
head almost touched his feet. There were three
rough knots in the rope which had cut deep in
the flesh of his wrists.
IS one of the most mysterious cases have heard
of since the murder of John Hehernan, the
coachman. in front of the Ardsley Ciub we
will be una BILE 10 follow any clues until Gilbert
comes out of his stuDor.