Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-28
POLICE NETS CLOSING
Another Arrest in Staten Island
Murder Mystery.
TWO MEN NOW LOCKED UP
Wife of One Died While Under Dr.
Townsend's Care.
THE REASON FOR SUSPICIOUS
Man Taken Into Custody at Points Of
Pistols After Officers Forced
Entrance to House.
TWO MEN NOW LOCKED UP
THE REASON FOR SUSPICIOUS

NEW YORK. January 2S.-Suspected of
knowing something about the death of DIR.
Charles w. Townsend of Staten Island,
who was mysteriously murdered in his
home Friday night, the police last night
arrested John Bell, a former street car
conductor, at his home in Brooklyn. The
suspicious of the police were directed to-
ward Bell by discovery that his wife died
about a year ago from an operation. Dr.
Townsend was attending the woman and
had charge of the operation, being assisted
by other doctors. Bell is reported TO have
blamed DR.. Townsend for his wifes death.
Bell was formerly employed as a con-
ductor of a trolley line running to Flush
ing, L. l.. and is said TO have eloped with
a young woman who was a member of q
family socially prominent in that place.
Her parents objected to her marriage and
Bell and his young wife removed to Staten
Island, where he found employment as Q
street car conductor.
Has Been Travelling.
After his wife's death Bell Travelled about
the country, and at the time OF the earth
quake was employed in San Francisco.
Recently he returned to the home OF his
parents in Brooklyn, where he was staying
when arrested last night.
The arrest was made in a sensational
manner. The two detectives who took him
Into custody were accompanied to the Bell
home by squad Of police, who surround
ed the house. When the detectives asked
for Bell they were told that he was not
at home, but they forced their way into
the house and found him. Presenting their
revolvers they told him that resistance
would be useless, whereupon he surrender
ed.
Bell was taken to police headquarters and
questioned. He declared that DIR. Town
send was no friend of his, but that he had
nothing whatever to do with the murder
of the doctor. The police meantime began
an investigation of Bells actions on the
night Of the shooting.
Moses Silverman Arraigned.
1sadore Snider. who was arrested Satur-
day, has been discharged. Nose Silver
man, also arrested on Saturday, was yes
terday arraigned before Magistrate Marsh
and held in $4,000 bail for examination,
but neither the magistrate nor the police
believe he is guilty Of the crime. In fact
Magistrate Marsh told Mrs. Silverman yes
terday that he would accept much smaller
bail II 1t was produced for the mans re-
lease.
Silverman is a cab driver living In St
George, and 1t is said he was arrested be-
cause DR.. Townsend or some one else had
said that the man who entered the Town.
send house resembled Silverman. At the
hearing before the magistrate yesterday
eral friends were present and gave testi-
mony which appeared to establish an alibi.
In Her Husbands Behalf.
Mrs. Silverman stated that her husband
was at home all Friday evening" and that
he entertained several young person with
a monograph and mouth organ until after
midnight After the visitors had left the
house he retired, and did not leave the
house again until half after o'clock
Saturday morning.
Mrs. Silverman denied rumors that her
husband was jealous of DR.. Townsend. She
said he attended her less than a year ago
when her baby was born and that since
then he had attended Mr.. Silverman on one
occasion. but that the idea of jealousy had
never entered the minds Of either herself
or her husband that there was not the
slightest cause for such thought.
Mrs. Townsend Collapses.
Following Dr. Townsend's death at half
past 1 o'clock yesterday morning, Mrs.
Townsend collapsed. She has been under
the care Of her brother, DIR. William c.
Walser, since then. Yesterday she told
again of the circumstances Of the shooting,
describing how she saw a masked man
standing at the bedside with a pistol be-
fore the two shots were fired. She said
she called him coward to shoot an I'M
armed man and that he made no reply to
her, but darted out of the room as soon az
his murderous work was accomplished.
As result of the sudden death of the
physician. a singular complication has
arisen In the matter of the deaths of three
of his patients Saturday and yesterday.
Friday these patients were known to be in
critical condition, and it is said that after
DR.. Townsends death no other physician
was called and there Is now no one author
lied to issue death certificate. 1t was
decided that Coroner Cahil VIII have TO
perform this Office.