New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-02
GRILL BELLS FAMILY.
UNDER THIRD DEGREE.
Officials Hold Secret Hearing, Ear
GLIDING Suspects Counsel.

Coroner Cahul Of Richmond began an In
formal inquest" into the shooting OF Dr. Charles
Wilrnot Townsend. Of No westervent avenue
New Brighton, Staten Island. yesterday The
examination resulted IN bitter friction between
Inspector schmittberger and the Coroner, which
District Attorney John J. Kenny vainly tried
to settle
The trouble between the officials began when
Coroner Cahin adjourned the examination for
luncheon at . o'clock In the afternoon. Up 10
that time the case against John Bell, the for
mer car conductor. who is charged with honi-
eide. seemed exceedingly weak. With the ex-
ception Of Joseph Crowley, a clerk. OF No. SO
Jersey street New Brighton, none OF the wit
nesses could show that Bell Staten
Island during the day Of the shooting Grow
ley said that the evening before the shooting
he was standing near the New Brighton station
OF the railroad when man who acted In
picous manner attracted his attention 1t
not, however until an automobile with DR..
Townsend in It passed the station. which is near
tho surgeons home. that Crowley saw the mans
face. few minutes later the stranger disap-
Peared. This at 10 O'Clock. Crowley ident-
fed Bell being the man who Was at the sta
ton. The Identification not considered as
positive b. the rollce.
STAR CHAMBER PROCEEDINGs
After eight witnesses had been examined Cor
oner Cahiu decided TO adjourn court. Mr.. and
Mrs, Samuel Bell. the prisoners parents. with
his half brother. Howard, and his brother-in-
law, William Coar. with his wife. were taken
by three coroner's deputies into the Village
Hall. which is near the Coroner's ONCE. 1t was
done so secretly that Frederick @. Bnllisan and
Edward ]. Reilly. OF counsel for the prisoner,
failed TO ind the witnesses. All information as
TO their whereabouts was refused the lawyers.
who finally told Inspector Schmittberger
Detectives were sent to verify the report that
the Coroner mad caused them to be locked up.
At the same time newspaper men found the
Bell family in a room the upper floor OF the
Village Hall with the Coroner and District At
torney Kenney conducting private hearing.
The Bells and other witnesses were being put
through the third degree"
KEPT SCIIMITTBERGER OUT.
Inspector schmittberger waited until o'clock
at night before he admitted to the inquiry.
1t was said that the witnesses finally gave the
testimony wanted by Coroner CahiIl Bell was
taken from the Coroner's Office to the investigs-
ton chamber shackled to a detective sergeant
The doors securely locked against all
newspaper men and lawyers for the suspect.
few minutes after IL o'clock the witnesses
were released. complaining bitterly at the treat
ment they said they had received from tbs Coro-
ner and District Attorney.
Mr. MilliCan said of the Coronars PROCEEDINGS:
This is the most high handed piece OF work
that has ever come to my notice. The Bell fam
lily thoroughly frightened by poIios
threats after seventeen hours cross-examina-
ton on Monday night that they were glad TO
say anything SO long as they would be promised
IT Will show that Or. Townsend was shot by
a man whose wife is alive and not by a man
who has lost his WIFE
ENJOYING MYSELF" SAYS BELL
To a Tribune reporter John Bell yesterday
said: IT sorry to know that DR.. Townsend
died. and confident that they will get thu
coward who killed him. They have nothing on
me at all This experience is certainly amusing
to me. am not allowed TO read newspapers
but understand that they have published some
letters which I supposed to have written
This is easy living for me- The police have
treated mo royalty. They give me cigars and
everything want to eat To-day, however,
have not had a meal since breakfast time, and IL
is o'clock"
Another letter was given out by INSPECTOR
schmittberser yesterday. 1t was written 10 Os-
car Cuirk. OF No. $40 Albert street. Steinway.
L. l.. and read:
Dear Oscar regret very much. indeed. to have
conn go Mrfg that at THIS woa Te but took oath SIS
going to keep my word; I must. for, before God
give this rash act. I am sure We will meet in
heaven ana renew our happiness OF yore. For
true love comes once In lifetime
j., intended this on January a. but dare not UNI
der certain conditions. Please don't forget nv
funeral Please don't forget our birthday and a
flower once in while. for both love flowers so.
And IN your spare time offer up a prayer to
heaven for Sis and John, for only God alone knows
could tell II. John RFgI.IA
p. S.-IIove finds way. Kindly tell the rest OF
the folks and give them my love.
JOHN BELL
p, S.-You will write that birth and death are
same. and know will be very happy IN the
hereafter. John
No. 44s Rodney street
Mrs Townsend was not called yesterday. II
was said that she has expressed her Willingness
10 appear before the coroner through her
brother. DR.. William c. Walser.
The coroner announced that he had ordered
the arrest OF two witnesses IA Brookiyn