Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-05
MURDER MYSTERY DEEPENS
Coroner Makes Little Progress in Solving
Assassination Of Charles A. Edwards.
FAMILY QUARREL OVER AN ESTATE
A. MaXcy Hitler Detained a. Wit
ness-EdvRrds Told Friends
that Brother-in-Iaw Had
Threatened Him.
7 QUARREL OVER AN ESTATE

NEW HAVEN. Conn, Jan. ALLAN
Maxcy Hitler, brother-n-law Of Charles A
Edwards the New Haven man, who was
shot to death in a mysterious manner
Tuesday night while at the home of Charles
A. Hitler another brother-in-law here, was
locked up at police headquarters for a
short time by order of Coroner Mix 1t
was later explained by this official that he
wanted to have Mr.. Hitler handy on the
resumption of the inquest later in the even
ing, and that Mr. Hitler was simply held
witness. This action was taken at
the end of a sitting of the coroner's inquest
of about five hours.
The news of the coroner's action spread
like widfire and the general suppositon
was reached that Mr.. Hitler had been
placed under arrest For this reason,
Coroner Mix made the definite announce
ment that Maxcy Killers detention was
simply temporary. At o'clock the inquest
was resumed and among the witnesses
called, were Mrs. Maxcy Hitler, Charles
Hitler and Maxcy Hitler.
1t is understood that the examination of
witnesses did not develop any special fea
lures, the questioning was mostly to
family affairs of the Killers. and it is
understood that admissions were made that
the disagrecments between Maxcy Hitler
and his sister, Mrs. Edwards. were very
bitter. and that the alleged enmity of the
former extended to Mr.. Edwards. It is
understood that the coroner in the course
of his all-day inquiry has found that Mr..
Edwards had often told his friends that
Maxcy Hitler had made threats against
him.
Death Due to Bullet.
Medical Examiner Bartlett, who was in
charge of the autopsy, has prepared his
report 1t is stated that the report will
show that Mr. Edwards was killed by
bullet of % caliber, which penetrated his
brain. The weapon used must have been
held very close to his head. The point
whether the pistol was held by Mr. Ed
wards or another person is not yet made
clear as the coroner has not announced
the medical examiners verbal report, but
it is understood that an opinion has been
expressed that such a wound might have
been self inflicted. but in this instance it
was unlikely. The coroner has not yet
found the weapon used in the shooting, in
spite of the rigid search made for it, even
to overhaulng the old Hitler homestead
by aid of plumbers and carpenters.
The inquest was adjourned over until
morning at midnight. Maxcy Hitler left
| the coroners office and entered hack and
was driven to his home. Two detectives
the way of police headquarters, where a
uniformed officer was obtained as a guard.
! Coroner Mix said that he would say moth
| ing about the inquest. MaXcy Hitler. he
| said not under surveillance; there
was absolutely no charge against him.
| At the close of the inquest tonight there
| seemed to be more mystery attached to the
case than at any previous time. It is I'M
| derstood that direct evidence bearing
| upon the actual shooting has been pro-
duced.
Family Quarrel Over Estate.
! Interviews given during the day by the
! Hitler brothers and by friends of the FAM
lily all seemed to indicate that there had
been serious family differences over the
estate of the late Mrs Abigail Hitler
whose death occurred on November 3, 1905
She was the mother of Charles A and A.
MaXcy Hitler and of Mrs. Edwards, wife
Of the victim of the tragedy. According to
the statements made the chief difference
was over the appointment of an admins
traitor of the estate, which is of consid-
cradle value.
A. MaXcy Hitler said to an interviewer
today that to the best of his belief his
mother left a will and that it was in a
safe in the Hitler homestead, where his
brother Charles has lived for several
months. The key of this safe, A. Maxcy
KILLER said, had disappeared and the safe
had not been broken into, he explained,
because it had been expected that the key
would be found. Mr.. Hitler added that his
relations with Mr.. Edwards were friendly
and that he had never had an argument
with him.
Charles Hitler when asked about the sit
uation in regard to his mothers estate,
said that on Tuesday evening after Mr..
; Edwards returned to the Hitler residence
/ from the reception which he had attended
! they had an hours chat. There was dis
cusson Mr.. Hitler said as to the settle
ment of Mrs. Killers estate About II
o'clock that night MI Edwards badc him
good night and went to his room. appar-
emily in good spirits. He did not see him
alive afterward.
From friend OF the Hitler family il was
learned today that Charles Hitler and Mr.
and Mrs. Edwards were agreed in desiring
the appointment of New Haven banker
as administrator Of the estate OF Mrs
Hitler but that the appointment was op-
posed by A. Maxcy Hitler. It is said that
e the latter desired the appointment for him.
self
In explanation of his failure to hear any
report of a revolver during the night when
the bullet which killed his brother In Law
- sped on its mission, Charles Hitler said
= that he sleeps habtualy muffied i'm blan-
liets even to his head He is naturally sub
= Ject TO chils, With his head thus covered
I he might not be aroused by even so SHARP
{ sound a revolver shot in the next
room.
Suggestion of Suicide.
A suggestion for a motive for suicide was
| af nv
during an interview. lie asked:
But have Mr. Edwards affairs with tn,
General Chemical company, with the Pas
sale Chemical company, of which he was
once treasurer, been looked into? Their,
y they might find some motive for suicide
!. | though l am sure | don't see what could
n ! have become OF the weapon, if weapon
q was really used. Now, | know there was Z
. tangle in the affairs of the Passaic com