New-York tribune., 1906-01-04
NEW-YORK MAN SLAIN.
FOUND DEAD IN BED.
Official of Chemical Trust Vas IN
Brother-in-Lase's Home.


New-Haven. Conn Jan 9-Charles A Ed
wards. of No. 500 Park-ave., New-York City.
formerly president OF the Passaic Chemical Com
pany, of New-Jersey, and more recently an Off
Ger of the General Chemical Company, known
the Chemical Trust, was mysterfously shot
dead while in bed last night IN the home of his
brother-in-law Charles A. Hitler.
So mysterious was the case from the outset
that Deputy Coroner Pond opened inquest at
Police Headquarters Immediately following
long and searching inquiry at the Hitler home
stead at No III College-st.. almost directly op-
poste East Divinity. dornitory of Yale
It was said tonight by one close to the situa-
ton. regarding the alleged differences between
the Killers and Mr.. Edwards, that about three
weeks ago Mrs Edwards came to New Haven,
and at that time there was trouble over the
settlement Of the estate of the elder Mrs. Hitler.
who died a few weeks before. 1t is alleged that
Mrs. Edwards called at Police Headquarters for
a policeman to accompany her to the railroad
station to protect her from the threatened
violence of certain members of the family.
The police tonight say that the case probably
will develop into one of the most sensational
in the annals OF crime in New Haven.
A police guard was kept over the Hitler home
stead o-night, no one being allowed to enter
the grounds.
A Maxcy Hitler is quoted tonight saying
that he believes that Mr.. Edwards died as the
result of stroke of apoplexy, and that the
autopsy which has been ordered to be performed
tomorrow on the body Of Mr.. Edwards will
bear out that statement
The autopsy probably will be reformed in the
morning Medical Examiner Bartlett. who
viewed the body before 1t was taken to an under
takers, refused to make a statement concerning
It's condition to the probable case Of
death.
For almost five hours Deputy Coroner Pond
conducted the preliminary inquest into the
shooting of Mr. Edwards. Those examined were
Maxey Hitler and his brother. Charles
Neither witness was held Mr.. Pond said after
the inquest that he could find no reason for Mr.
Edwards taking his own life "On the other
hand" he continued, there seems to me to be
good reasons to believe that Mr.. Edwards was
killed.
He was asked if suspicion pointed to any one
man. and he replied that ne would not discuss
that phase of the case. He was asked whether
or not he thought the shooting was the result
of a Quarrel between members Of the Hitler
family. but he declined to speak definitely on
that score also
DR.. Cheney, who was called in said tonight
that when he arrived at the home Mr.. Edwards
vas dead. He was in bed dressed only in his
undercothes There were black powder marks
on the left ear of the dead man, according 70
DR. Cheney but there was no sign o. powder on
his fingers
When 4. Maxey Hitler left the commissioners
room where the induest was held he said that
he would do all that he could 70 clear the situa-
ton. and that his brother would do the same
Charles A Hitler refused to talk
The INQUEST began at about O'Clock. and it
was nearly II o'clock before it was over To-
night the Hitler home in Coege-st., Where tne
shooting occurred. IS guarded by the ponce
There will be. continuation of the coronefs m m
quest tomorrow
Mr. Edwards was found dying In his room by
charles a Hitler. He had retired about II
o'clock last night, after attending a birthday
marty in honor Of his sister, Mrs Samuel Harris
Uro is a cousin OF ex-President 1lTnothy
Dwight of Yale Early in the day ne had come
from New-York for this speclal PURPOSE
He had been frequent visitor here lately
usually as guest of either Cha11es z. q =
Nfaxey Hitler, both his brothers-in-law
,rr F6vrards retired apparently in the best OF
.nir,+s His failure to appear at breakfast leo
| Ch.-les Hitler to go upstairs According 10
+be latter the chamber door was not lockeq'
rA Going in he saw Mr.. Edwards apparently
| ,orecious from what was at first taken 70 De
q stroke of apoplexy.
| Tr AIetcaIf neighbor, who is dentlsl' was
- ord he gave restoratives. under the i'm
4
'-lovv Dr BENJAMIN H Cheney reached the
go little later. but Mr.. Edwards was theh
! breathing his last
| =, che course of his treatment OF the dylns
! - Tr Cheney found bullet hole IN the leil
.,sa or the head directly behind the ear Inc
,.o,,orrbage from it had not been proruse Ou''
,os foalnd later, the missile had gone olrecuy
into the brain.
I'M ,1.o death of Mr.. Edwards was reported by
| ~,,--,os Hitler to Deputy Coroner Pond VINO
/ - 80 went to the house, while messenger
,,-,ored A Maxey Hitler from the superior
| Ca,,r+ where he was trying a case. AT first the
aen,,+v coroner thought that death was oue u
-. cot NJ suicide. but the absence OF tne weapon
.D,. on hours Of searching failed TO reveal gave
- q srspicfon of murder. although MT POND
',.-9aa N express himself in favor OF that
1'.-, ,Jen interviewed this afternoon
CAsE OF MURDER, SAY POLICE
,o,,ca were informed OF the death. guard
sr+ n the house and several detectives
- assigned to the case. The ponce at oiioo
ohas the conclusion that there hao Oeen
.-raer and the investigation proceedeo OH tiii0
80 They found that the house hau hot oee
! Ter into forctbly. but an unboiteo hi'oiS
| pi0 -, the house servants say was securely