New-York tribune., 1907-01-30
BELL H[NTED SUICIDE.
LETTERS TO RELATIVES.
Police Get More Evidence an To1CnS-
end Murder Case.

Tho ,,olica or Staten Island and Coroner CahiI
examined a score of witnesses yesterday in an
effort 70 gather evidence strong enough TO hold
John Bell the former car conductor, who was
arrested late Sunday night in connection Win
the mystery surrounding the murder OF Dr.
Charles Wilmot Townsend. Of No. . Westerveit
avenne. New Brighton, Staten Island. The
statements made by the witnesses VIII be pre-
sented at the preliminary hearing before Coroner
Cahill to-day. when the prisoner VIII be ar
raisned at west Brighton.
AT 115 o'clock this morning District Attorney
Kenney emerged from the chamber where the
inquisition Is in progress and declared himself
positively. He said
I'VE have the right man. No doubt remains
now"
1t was learned early this morning that besides
the Howard Bell letter there are six others. Bell
appears TO have written 10 all his relatives.
Some Of those in the borough hall will be
arraigned as witnesses before a magistrate in
the morning.
Although Inspector Schmittberger is confident
that the shooting of the surgeon is nearly solved
District Attorney James J. Kenney is still look
ing for more evidence with which to make a case
strong enough to obtain an indictment. lie at
taches little Importance TO the letter which was
written by Bell to his brother. Howard. on Sat
uTQ8y AFTERNOON, tHe OdS lHeI IL
was shot. 1t was learned yesterday that Bell
visited the grave of his wife on that oay anu
later mailed the following note:
Dear Howie: I take the pleasure TO write you
these few lines to let you know that this is up
10 me. and after eating a strawberry at thls
time of the year 1 ought TO be successful. How
ard, ask Grace at the proper time II she VIII
have the inscription put on the headstone before
burial. and also that the ring is on my nnser
and slippers on my feet and picture on my
breast.
Sure. H.. you can say this without any hard
feeling. and II you never said a prayer oeIore
say II now for me and Sis Pray that may oe
justified In my act. and that may meet (n5 ne5
isis in Heaven, and God will be merciful GOD
may bless YOU Your loving brother
The letter was addressed 20 his brother at
No. 64S Hart street. Brooklyn. although the
brother lives at No. 80 Central avenue. Brook
lyn. This fac: led the District Attorney TO be-
Heve that Bell intended TO commit suicide after
he left the grave OF his wife. but later recon-
sidered his intention and returned home
The entire Bell family went yesterday TO the
office of Inspector Schmittberger in Richmond
Borough Hall. Samuel Bell. the father OF the
prisoner. told Coroner CahiH that his son was
in the habit of spending many nights away
from home. and that he was not at all sur
prsed when his son did not return home on the
night OF the Staten Island murder. he added
that II was also customary for his son 10 snaVS
on bis mustache az Irregular intervals ne uiu
this on Wednesday. AS to the threats which
Bell IS reported 10 have made against DR.. Town
send, the father said he knew nothing
William CoaT. OF No. 44I Rodney street. Brook-
lyn. who 10 brother-in-law OF Bell. supported
IN part the statements made by the prisoner.
He remembered that the man came into his
saloon at o'clock Saturday morning and
that he told OF his visit 70 the theatre.
new witness was found yesterday by the
coroner. He Ia John Lee. a motoTman OF the
Staten Island Electric Company. He said that
he saw man cross the electric car trastle at
ST. George al $50 a. m. on Saturday He says
that the man wore n cravenette coat The police
believe his description OF the coat corresponds
with that OF the coat taken from Bells home.
Moses Sverman. who was first arrested In
connection with the murder and held in sos 600
was released yesterday without even having 20
prove an alibi He indignant over his ar
rest and said he would begin SUIT for false
arrest.
The funeral OF Or. Townsend was held yester-
day afternoon at his home. IL was intended to
hold the services az ST. Johns Church Clifton
but this plan was changed when a large crowd
began TO gather around the church at noon. The
Rev. Frederic EcclestOn. assisted by the Rev
James Clayton Howard. conducted the services
The burial was in the Moravian Cemetery New
Dorp.