New-York tribune., 1905-02-06
DOUBT ROBBERY MOTIVE.
UHLams's Neighbors Say No Money
Has Taken-Many at Funeral.
[pr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


Plain1eld, n. J., Feb. 5-The body of George
Williams. the Watching grocer, who was found
in a sleigh the Coontown road Thursday
noon with bullet through his back, was buried
in the Coontown Cemetery this afternoon, SER
vices at the Wilson Memorial Church.,
Watching, and at the Coontown church. being
attended by practically the whole populace of
the district. The Rev. George Bowers, Of War
renville, the gray haired old friend of the slain
man, preached at both services. When the SER
vice in the Watching church began the Rev.
Mr. Bowers announced the hymn. Abide with
Me-" but the congregation overcome
with grief that the minister was compelled to
sing it through all alone The Rev. George
Watts offered prayer in which he made many
allusions to the crime
There development in the case to-day.
That Williams had 5000 on his person when he
started on the fatal ride is secuted by his neigh
bors for they say that he did not own that
much money. When the funeral procession was
moving toward the church at Watching Mrs
George Wood, wife of the suspect. and her chill
dren passed their way to Edward Whitton's
home, on the Coontown road. She is a daugh-
ter of Whitton, who is alleged to have cut her
off in his will.
Chief of Police Kiey, on whom the burden Of
the work devolved. although the murder was
not in his jurisdiction, not in his county.
is still working hard the case with County
Detective Totten, of Somervile. They expect
to send extradition papers TO Governor Higgins
tomorrow morning, and hope to have Wood in
Somerset County jail by tomorrow night. They
do not expect much trouble in having the man
transferred from the jurisdiction Of New-Yorlz
to this State.
Chief Kely thinks the alleged absence OF
memory OF Wood is assumed. Wood visited his
while there was something peculiar about him
she did not think he demented or other
than in mis- right mind. From Blimm's Hotel
many witnesses will be obtained to show that
in his stay there Wood showed no signs of
mental trouble. He seemed supplied with
money enough TO meet the usual demands of a
man living at hotel. He drank with those
he met talked with them intelligently and
posed as It bridge contractor looking for pos
sible work. He played pool in the billiard room
and proved to be a fair match for those whom
he met there. Then, too those who met him
while he searching for some one to drive
him from Watching say he acted like a ration
al man.
Three men visited the Tombs yesterday
to try to identify George H. Wood, and
failed. The men were Frederick w. Blanke
of No. 80 Marcy-ave.; Robert Gabrecht. Of No
800 Grand-st.. and John Myers. of No. II North
7th-st.. all of Brooklyn. Attendants at the
Tombs said that the reason for the visit was
to see if any of the could identify Wood
in connection with some other offence, what,
they did not know. With twenty other prison
ers, Wood was lined up, but none of the three
could identify him.
Dr. George NJ. Ball, of No 365 West 2Sth-st,
on whom Wood called with his wife late on
Friday evening, told a Tribune reporter last
night that he only the man for about three
minutes. while his condition appeared to be
normal" DR.. Ball added sit would be obviously
unfair to attempt to give diagnosis IN view of
the breVty of the visit"