The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-18
BOWIE MURDER
MYSTERY SOLVED
BY CONF FESSION
Francisco Bruno Unburdens
His Conscience.
TELLS OF HElNOUS CRIME
Kills Farmer Because He Objected to
Hunting on His Land-TO Be
Tried NEXT Week.
by a STAFF Correspondents

Dt Il scAdtl ADll - Ht3iiStt-iltB
UPPER MARLBORO. Nd. April IS
Upon his own confession the grand jury
here has returned an Indictment of muir
der against Francisco Bruno. an italian
Bruno viii be tried for the crime next
week. He is at present confined TO the
local jail
Bruno's confession clears the Bowie
murder mystery. on which the authorities
% almost all of the Eastern cities have
been working since il occurred. Decem-
Der II Of last year. Van BrownelI, a
prosperous farmer, who lived near
Bowie Md. on the main road of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad, December Il
last was murdered while loading wood
on his wagon.
He was found lying in pool of blood
with his stomach punctuTed by some
sharp weapon. presumably a dagger. He
had also been kicked and beaten about
the body when found by his sfster-in-
law. Mrs. Emma BrowneIi.
The local authorities worked on the
case, and suspicion rested on two tai
ians living near BrownelTs farm One
OF them suddenly disappeared about the
Tine Of the commission of the crime
and when the other was questioned he
denied any part IN the crime, but in
formed the authorities that Bruno was
the murderer.
Working on Railway.
The missing Italian had been working
on the new Washington, Baltimore ana
Annapolis Electric Railway. and was
earning good salary. He lived near
his work, but could not be found at
ter BrownelIs death
The authorities learned from the other
Italian thar Bruno had gone TO Eliza
beth. \. J. The Elizabeth police ascer-
tained that Bruno had come to that
city, had drawn al Of his funds from
the bank. and had gone TO New York.
There he was lost 70 the police. and
The search was temporarily abandoned
Several days Ego The chief oi thc
Elizabeth, \. J., police wired the local
authorities thar Bruno had been appre-
helded there. Arthur B. Suit. acting
Is e deputy sheriff. obtained the neces-
sary papers and brought the prisoner 10
Marlboro "Wednesday.
Bruno was placed in jaiI Thursday he
sent for Samuel Dimareo, local frui,
stand keeper. He informed Dimaroo
that he had decided 20 confess. as rae
burden was too great for him 10 bear.
He said he had been in the habit cf
hunting on the larms near Bowie Tor
several months Drio- to December II,
ana tEat BrowneH had objected to hum
iag on his farm Several times BrowneIl
told the italian 10 stay OF the farm.
Bruno says Brownel also threatened
him.
Threatened With Whip.
On December l. Bruno says he knew
Brownen was going 10 The wood con
liguous 10 his house TO get a load OF
wood. and he decided 10 wait for him
and settle the matter BrOwneH left
his home about noon and went 10 the
wood Pile where the Italian was lurk-
ing AS soon as be halaed his team Pc
jumped TO the ground aad again order /
81 him 16runo} oH she premises and
threatened 10 bo-sevhip him.
Bruno say that this infuFisted him.
ana ne drew dagger from Ms 0eit !
10 defend himself A slight struggle
ensaed. Bruno COS the better Of 1t
and plunged MS steel deep into the
stomach Of the farmer. who immedi-
ate:y feH TO the ground Bruno ssiu !
detecting signs OF life. says he made /
q few more stabs. kicked The man sev-
eraG times and proceeded on his way
The wound inflicted in The mans
stomach was an ugly one and the /
weapon went entirely through the in /
testInes ana struck BrowBeIl's bach i
bone.
BrowneII was bachelor. and lived /
with his brother and sisJer-in- law he /
vas always prompt al meals. and when /
he did noJ return TO lunch, Mrs Emma /
Continued Oh second Psgs-}