New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
JURY HOLDS JOHN BELL.
MRS. TOWNSEND ON STAND
Fatal Shooting of Surgeon De-
scribed by His WidOzC.

John Bell, the former conductor, was held yes
terday by the Staten Island coroner's Jury as
being responsible for the fatal shooting of Dr.
Charles Wilmot Townsend of No & Westervelt
avenue, New Brighton. the morning of jan
uary %. at the close of tho inquest conducted
by Coroner Matthew J. Cahill and District At
torney John ]. Kenney. The jury brought in
its verdict after being out less than half hour
Fifteen witnesses told the story of tho shooting
and of Bells connection with DR.. Townsend The
testimony had been closely sifted that
witness the stand for more than fifteen
minutes.
Mrs. Emma Walser Townsend. the widow Of
the surgeon told IN detail the facts of her hus-
bands death
MY husband was in exceptionally good spirits
on the night preceding the tragedy she said,
''I had been to a school graduation exercise in
the evening and slept soundly almost immediate
" after retiring. first awakened by my
husbands voice she shouted: will get up
Then saw a strange man standing over the
bed Almost Immediately the man fired shot
from the revolver which he held in his right
hand Then he walked toward the door, but
turned and fred a second shot"
She then told how she gave FIRST aid 10 the
surgeon and called upon the neighbors for as
sistance Mrs. Townsend said that she ala not
talk to the surgeon while he was in the , X
Smith Inhrrnary, where he died on the morning
following the shooting. Her story was in part
corroborated by Joseph Hayes the chauffeur;
Lawrence Crabtree. the young man VINO accom-
panied DR. Townsend on his calls during the
evening before the shooting, and Herbert Crab
tree. his father who among the first TO
enter the Townsend house after the murder.
II was also brought out that side door and
a porch window were partly often when the hrst
persons called. The members Of the jury were
thoroughly acquainted with the story OF the
shooting. when Coroner Cahill called Thomas
Weber Of No. 1913 jefferson street, Brooklyn
who Is related by marriage to John Bell Web
Der repeated the story which led to the former
conductors arrest. The conversation about John
Bell between Mrs. Exler. his grandmother. and
Webber's wife, which caused Weber 70 inform
a policeman. briefly told.
Mrs Annie Exler, Of No. SO Central avenue,
Brooklyn, related how Mrs Samuel Bell came
to her house on the Saturday of the shooting
and told of her suspicious regarding her son.
William Coar testified that Bell was In his
| saloon, at No. 429 Rodney street, Bro, kyn, at
6 o'clock on the morning when DR. Townsend
was murdered. Coar IS a brother-in-law Of Bell,
and his statement that the latter told him Or.
| Townsend had been shot is considered one Of
the most important links IN the chain Of evil
dence The police say that news " The shoot
ing did not leave Staten Island until 6:35 o'clock
that morning. and II would therefore be impos-
sible for the story 10 have reached Williams
burg before that time.
Howard Bell the prisoners half brother. re-
peated the confession about the shooting. which,
ne alleged. John Bell made on Saturday evening
Another family witness against the prisoner
was Samuel Bell. 1r., who told OF the revolvers
which II IS said. were used by John Bell
Joseph Crowley, OF No. 60 Jersey street. New
Brighton. staten Island said he was positive
Bell was the man whom he noticed near the New
Brighton Railroad station at 1890 o'clock on
Friday night preceding the shooting.
Coroner Cahm read DR.. Townsends ante
rnortern statement which indicated Norris Sill
verrnan. the hack driver who was first arrested
The statement IS as follows:
7 woke up. hearing some one in my room He
had a match In his left hand; pistol I'm his right
hand He pointed II at me and said: Get up.
Get upy" I said: II Will and l started 10 get
M and Mrs Townsend said: Get out OF here
and at that he shot me twice.
He IS a small man, about = feet inches tall.
He wore a light overcoat OF dark material Two
shots were fired; no electric lights were lit, Just
the match cannot tell or recognize the man
one He looked TO mo like man similar 70 one
I know by the name OF SIIverman, or his type.
| do not accuse Silverman in any way. do
believe am going 70 die l have not any hope
of recovering from the effects OF the injury l
have received.
John Bell refused TO make statement when
he was led before the jury. He was taken later
! TO the Richmond County jail, where he VIII be
held for the grand jury.