New-York tribune., 1907-01-28
NEW TOWNSEND ARREST
POLICE CONCEAL NAME.
Mystery Surrounds Move of Man
haitian authorities an Murder Case.

An arrest was made sin Manhattan late last
night in connection with the murder of DR..
Charles Wilmot Townsend. Of No. Westervelt
avenue New Brighton. Staten Island. who was
shot in his home on Saturday, and died at l
o'clock yesterday morning at the 5. r. Smith
Inlrmary The police refused to give any par
ticulars beyond that the person arrested was
suspected Of completely in the case.
on request Of Captain Gallagher of the West
Brighton police station. Morris sIverman, the
hack driver was held in $4,000 bail as
picious person, when arraigned before Magis-
trate Marsh in the Stapleton police court yes
terday. He is to appear for examination to-
morrow.
Silverman is the man named by DIR. Town
send Immediately after the shooting being
similar I'm appearance to the man who shot him.
Isaac Snlder brother-in-law OF Siverman. who
was arrested soon after the shooting. was re-
leased by the police after the physcian's
death
When Silverman was arraigned yesterday
dramatic appeal for his liberty made by HIS
young wife, who was x i0rIner patient Of Or.
Townsend Later Mrs. Silverman said she would
appear before Magistrate Marsh again to-day
with a statement from DR.. Mord. the coroner's
physician. declaring that DR.. Townsend made
second ante-mortem statement in which ne ex-
onerated her husband. Dr. Mord refused 70 say
whether a second statement was made. CoEoner
Cahiu was equally reticeut about statement
which is said to have been made less than an
hour before the surgeon died.
INSPECTOR EXPECTS DEVELOPMENTS.
Inspector schmittberger and Coroner Cahnl
held a conference early yesterday afternoon
Then Inspector schmittberger went home saying
that his detectives. who have been visiting
every one OF the surgeons recent patients. would
disclose interesting developments within twenty
four hours He refused to say whether another
arrest would be made.
one of the principal witnesses who VIII be
called at the coroner's inquest is William Crab
tree who lives opposite the home of DR.. Town
send Mr. abtree one of the first to enter
the surgeons home after the shooting. Accord
ing to his story, he summoned by a servant.
and when he reached the bedside of the injured
surgeon Mrs Townsend bandaging the
wounds. To his first question as to the motive
for the attack. he says. Mrs. Townsend replied
that II was not robbery and then. stepping TO
a bureau, returned with handful OF tewelry,
which she said the man could have had If he
had come for that purpose.
Mr. Crabtree's statement that Mrs. Townsend
Immediately suggested that burglary was not
the motive for the shooting contradcts the story
told by the surgeons wife the police after the
shooting At that time she is reported say
ing that robbery was the motive, and that she
heard the man call for money. When the police
pointed out to her that burglar would not have
gone to her rooms when he could have gathered
valuables downstairs without trouble. she ae-
cepted the theory that the shooting done in
a spirit of revenge.
Mr.. Crabtree was In the room at the same
time as Randall, the chauffeur. but the latter
says he does not remember hearing the
geon mention the name Of the whom he
suspected at the time Mr.. Crabtree did. how
ever. ask DR.. Townsend not to repeat the name
Of Siverman when he was being carried on
stretcher into the ambulance. His reason for
asking DR.. Townsend TO refrain from mention
ing the name OF the hack driver. Mr.. Crabtree
said was because a number of neighbOrs were
about and he did not want them to hear what
the physician had to say. Coroner Cahill was
present when Mr.. Crabtree told the surgeon not
to say any more until the ambulance was on
the way TO the hospital
PHYSICIAN HAD NO ENEMIES.
According to story told by Lawrence Crab
tree the seventeen-year- son of William
Crabtree the rear door OF his home was open
Immediately after the servant called for help
The boy was intimate friend of the physi-
oian and often accompanied him on his rounds
On the night before the shooting. several
patients were visited, the younger Crabtree act
ing as chauffeur. After the last visit DR.. TOWN.
send remarked TO his companion that he had
not an enemy In the world.
The surgeon had hardly entered his home on
Friday night when he was called TO attend
Mrs. Crabtree. who slipped on the ice and
sprained her wrist. After her injury was treat
ed Dr. Townsend returned to his home and Mr..
Crabtree remembers that IT was 11:SO o'clock
when the lights IN his home were turned down
His family retired shortly afterward. 70 be