New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
THIRD MURDER ARREST
POLICE QUIZ JOHN BELL.
Conductor Held for Homicide in
DR.. TOacnsend Case.

pear solution Of the strange shooting Of last
saturday morning. A different view OF the case
4, taken by District Attorney Kenny. who thinks
that the evidence against the prisoner is ex-
ceedingly weak He does not believe that Bell
could be held for trial unless a stronger case is
made against him.
Bel formerly conductor employed on the
Staten leland Electric Railway and until sew
eral months ago lived at No. ~ MONTGOMERY
avenue. Tompkinsvile. Staten Island. The police
say his arrest came about late Sunday night
through conversation which was overheard by
detective. He was arrested at the home OF his
parents, at No. 64S Hart street, BROOKLYN
The police say that when he was arrested he
protested ignorance OF the Townsend murder.
and readily agreed to accompany the detectives
TO Police Headquarters IN Manhattan. Later he
was taken TO the Tombs court and held On sus-
picion OF having committed homicide.
BELLS WIFE DIED AT ENFIRMARY.
Coroner Cahin. of Staten Island Immediately
communicated with Inspector Schmittberger
who has been In charge OF the case, after Bell
was arrested. The coroner thought the descrip-
tion Of Bell fitted that given by the surgeon and
his wife. He believed that there might be a
motive for the murder, as Mrs. Bell. who was
one OF DR.. Townsend's patients, died at the s
r. smith lnfrmary exactly a year before the
surgeon was shot. Mrs. Bell was admitted tc
the hospital on the recommendation OF the sur
geon on the evening Of January 25 Of last year
and at o'clock on the following morning she
died.
Captain Gallagher Of the West Brighton po-
lice station, came 10 this city with instructions
70 take Bell before Coroner Cahiu When the
captain reached the Tonlbs court yesterday
morning Bell had already been committed for
examination by Magistrate Baker until to-mor-
TOW. After Captain Gallagher explained that
the prisoner was wanted as a material witness
the inquest. he was rearraigned and innme-
diately discharged Captain Gallagher at once
rearTested him. He was searched and the po.
lice say they found silk handkerchief which
coTresponded in part TO the which Mrs.
Townsend said was worn by the man who did
the shooting
MRS. TOWNSEND DID NOT SEE PRISONER
Yesterday afternoon Bell was taken TO the
Richmond Borough Hail. where Inspector
schmittberger and Coroner Cahin were waiting
TO examine him At the st. George terminal Of
the Municipal ferry. Bell. who is a little mora
than five feet tall and of slight build. attracted
considerable attention. when he was led through
the crowd, shackled To Detective Sergeant Cal
vim and Captain Gallagher. The prisoner was
taken TO the inspectors Office in patrol wagon.
It was intended that Mrs Townsend should see
Bell fo- a possible identification She did not
go 20 the inspectors Office. however. as her
health did not permit her TO leave her home
her sister said.
Bell was taken later to the Office OF District
Attorney Kenny. which is less than a block from
the Townsend holna. The District Attorney told
Bell that he could engage a lawyer. At the
same time he asked tiIa = rs wished to make
a statement 10 prove abb The prisoner
repisea that ne did rot With to make any state
Trert except THAI he wGs entirely innocent OF
the crime He also said he die not want counsel
At Inspector Schmittberset's Office he said that
on Friday evening re v;vtged theatre IN the
Bowe1y, and had then gone home Bell told
the same story 10 the Ltsts1ct Attorney. He
would make further statement Of his where
abouts on the night Of the shooing.
PRISONER REFUSES TO. TALK
When Bell still refused TO answer ell ques-
lions Mr. Kenny warned him that he Nould be
locked up unless he explained in more detail his
movements on Friday night. All efforts to get
further Information from him proved fruitless.
Mr. Kenny said.
Before he left the District Attorneys office he
was told that the charge against him was homi-
eide, and THAI he would be held for examination
until Tomorrow. Then he was taken to the
West Brighton station, where he locked up
on the order Of Coroner Cahil.
Considerable excitement caused in the
Barnes confronted Bell. Mrs. Barnes was heav-
sly veiled and many persons believed that she
was the widow Of the surgeon until her identity
was revealed by Coroner Cahill. who said that
the woman conducts a boarding house in the
rear OF the physicians house. She was called
because she is alleged to have said that on the
afternoon before the shooting. a man unknown
TO her, and answering the description OF Bell,
visited her with the intention Of engaging a
room. He wanted room facing the physician 3
house, she said. When she told him that such
q room could not be had, she says he went away.
Mrs. Barnes was unable TO identify the prisoner.
SURGEONS CHAUFFEUR AT EXAAIINA-
TIoN.
Joseph Hayes, the chauffeur. who has been in
the employ Of the Townsend family for many
years was also present at the examination in
the District Attorneys office Hayes said he
clearly remembered the day when Bell called at
the surgeons home and asked that he treat his
wife he added that when Bell explained his
financial condition DR. Townsend offered TO ar
range for Mrs Bells removal the hospital.
The chauffeur was unable TO make a positive
ideDtifcation OF Bell He explained that the
prisoner had formerly worn beard yesterday
nc clean shaVen-
CORONER PREPARES FOR INQUEST.
coroner cahiIl said after the arrest that he
would now prepare TO hold the inquest. which
viii take place during the latter part OF the
week He also said that he would be present al
the arraignment to-day Of Norris Slverman.
the hack driver who was arrested on the day of
the murder Silverman will be taken before
Magistrate Marsh In the Stapleton police court
to-day, when Il is expected that the charge
against him VIII be dismissed. He has been
held ia $4,000 ball.
The funeral OF DR. Townsend viii be held this
afternoon at ST. Johns Church, Clifton. Staten
Island.