The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-22
TRACKS OF MURDERER LOST.
RAIN WASHES OUT FOOTPRINTS
or AHEARN'S SLAYER.
The Florists Rama Best Clue Police Have
Houses Searched and Hospitals DUES.
toned for . Man With . Battered
Hnah- "A mat eur Slsnth. - WnrL

The Florists Rama Best Clue Police Have
Houses Searched and Hospitals DUES.
toned for . Man With . Battered
Head-Amateur Sleuths At Work.
New ROCHELLE, June 2l.-All day Chief
Timmons and his men, assisted by Pinker-
ton detectives and amateu sleuths, sp,lrred
on by ST. 600 reward offered by the city,
worked hard to run down the murderer
of Policeman Maurice Ahearn, the special
officer who was shot early on Saturday
morning by supposed burglar whom he
encountered coming through Rochelle Park
with bag on his back.
The bloodhounds with which Ahearn's
friends, the Knights Of Columbus, expected
to take up the trail did not arrive to-day
DR.. Longest of Boston. who owns the dogs.
telegraphed that he could not get to his
kennels until Tomorrow and would ship
them then. Since the murder occurred
it has rained frequently, washing out all
footprints and bloodstains and Chief Tim
mons fears that 1t will be a difficult matter
for the hounds to pick up the scent
The police followed up half dozen re-
ports which came from people who had
seen suspicious looking Italians answering
the description Of the murderer They also
searched dozens Of houses in New Ro-
chelle. Mount Vernon and Yonkers occu-
pied by Italians for man with battered
head, and telephoned to the hospitals in
Westchester and New York to be on the
lookout. but obtained no information of
any consequence. Angelo Bonevento. the
Italian who was arrested in Port Chester,
was discharged by Coroner Weisendanger,
who, after investigating his story, said
that he was confident that he knew nothing
Of the crime.
For weeks complaints have been received
by the police from residents of Rochelle
Park and other sections OF New Rochelle
that thieves have been visiting their lawns
and gardens at night and carrying awav
flowers. The thieves, il is believed, take
the flowers to New York and sell them to
the Greek and Italian dealers who supply
street vendors
The finding Of the raffia, a variety Of
straw used by florists in packing flowers
for the market near the place where Ahearn
was murdered, has led the detectives to
believe that he encountered one of the
over thieves and was examining the bag
he was carrying when the man shot him
The police believe that the raffia is the
best clue they have and are endea voring
to find where 1t came from. There are
seNeIdi dIke HuIseTfS ana nOtDOllSeS
near Rochelle Park and they visited these
places to-day to ascertain II any Italian
there had been in the habit OF stealing
flowers and selling them in the New York
market Nothing developed from their
search.
The Knights Of Columbus are also to
prosecute the search vigorously. They are
getting up a benefit to he held in the New
Rochelle Theatre on Saturday evening,
and the receipts will I've used in running
down the murderer and in buying a monu-
ment for Ahearn.
The Aldermen on Saturday night unani-
mously adopted the resolution Offering the
1000 reward. and j. Addison Young of
New Rochelle. acting upon his authority
az District Attorney OF Westchester county,
employed the Pinkerton men whom he has
had working in the Ardsley case.
The residents Of Rochelle Park have ar
ranged to show their appreciation OF Police
man Ahearn's bravery by giving a large
floral piece to be placed on his casket.
Many of them will attend the funeral, which
is to be held on Tuesday morning in the
Roman Catholic Church Of the Blessed
Sacrament The entire police force and
the Knights Of Columbus and the Foresters
will also attend.