New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-03
A RECLUSE.

strength OF statement made by q prisoner in
tie New Bedford jail that he had often heard
Richard C-owuinshleld, IT., l wild character OF
Danyers Mass. speak Of taking the life Of Cap
tain White. that person was arrested and In
dicted. No motive, however. for the crime had
been discovered.
\ fortnight later Captain. Joseph J. Knapp,
father Of the two men who had reported the at
tempted hold-up. and a merchant Of character,
received = strange letter from Belfast, Ne. II
as signed Charles Grant. jr.. OF Prospect,
Ne" and asked for 4 loan Of $3.50, with no
security. I think it VIII be for your interest
wrote the stranger TO comply with my re-
quest. and that Immediately. II You do
not comply with il the short period between
row and November VIII convince yoI that you
have denied 4 request the granting Of which
VIII never inIu-e you. the refusal Of which VIII
ruin YOU I Will merely tell you that I
an acquainted with your brother Franklin, and
also the business that he was transactng for
you on the "a OF April last; and that l think you
' as very extravagant in giving one thousand
dollars TO the person that would execute the
business for you. I have said enough %
convince you Of my knowledge. and merely IN
form you that you can, when you answer, be
as brief as POSSIBLE
Mystiaed by the letter, he showed It to his
sons That letter contains a deviIish lot OF
trash" said his namesake. but If I were YOU
I'd give it 20 the vigilance committee" The
committee decided to follow the letter UP and.
preparing decoy letter, = messenger was sent
with It 10 Prospect Ne. After mailing il, h
remained In the postoGice to arrest Grant when
he came for II
The day following the receipt Of the letter =
]. Knapp. jr.. did a strange thing lie took two
letters to Salem and asked friend to mail them
saying as he did so: MY father has received
an anonymous letter. What I want YOU for Is
to put these in the postotHce, in order 10 nip
his silly affair in the bud" one was ad-
dressed to a member Of the committee, the other
10 Stephen White, a nephew and heir OF the
murdered man. Could he have seen the con-
tents of those letters. the friend would have
been astonished. The one to the member of the
committee read
Hearing that you have taken up four young
men on suspicion Of being concerned in the
murder of Mr.. White. l think Il time to in
form you that Stephen White came 10 me one
night and TOLD me if 1 would remove the old
gentleman he would give me five thousand
dollars; he said he was afraid he would alter
his Will if he lived any longer. told him
would 90 il, but l afeared TO go into the
house, he said he would go with me, that
ne would try 10 get into the house in the even
ing and open the window, would then go home
and go TO bed and meet me again about eleven
| found him, and both went into his cham
Der l struck him the head with heavy
piece Of lead, and then stabbed him with
dirk: he made the finishing strokes with
other He promised to send me the money
next evening. and has not sent IL, which is the
reason that l mention this. Yours, etc,
GRANT
The other ,etter read: Mr.. White viii send
the 5000 or part of it. before tomorrow
night or suffer the painful consequences. N.
CIaXtOn 4th."
Why did Knapp show much interest and