The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-04-28
The murder at the aristoeratic As.

The murder at the aristocrauc As
truria. therefore, was hailed by the
editors as an unmdxed journalistic
blessing, and they proceeded to play
IL I'D for all II was worth. All the
features of first-class sensation were
present The victim, Robert Under
wood. was well known In society and
a prominent art connoisseur. The
place where the crime was committed
was one of the most fashionable of
New York's hostelries. The presumed
assassin was a college man and the
son OF one OF the most wealthy and
influential of New York's citizens.
True. this Howard Jeffries. the son.
was a black sheep He had been
mixed UP In all kinds OF scandals be-
fore. His own father had turned him
out OF doors, and he was married to
woman whose father died In prison.
Could a better combination OF cir
cumstances for a newspaper be con-
ceiyed? The crime was discovered
too late for the morning papers to
make mention OF It. but the afternoon
papers fired a broad side that shook
the town. All the evening papers had
big scare heads stretching across the
entire front page, with pictures Of the
principals involved and long inter
views with the coroner and Capt.
Clinton. There seemed to be no doubt
that the police had arrested the right
man, and in all quarters OF the city
there was universal sympathy for Mr..
Howard Jeffries, Sr II was terrible
to think that this splendid. upright
man. whose whole career was without
a single stain. who had served his
country gallantly through the civil
war, should have such disgrace
brought upon him In his old age.
Everything pointed to a speedy trial
and quick conviction. Public indigna-
tion was aroused almost to a frenzy,
and a loud clamor went up against
the laws delay. Too many crimes
Of this nature, screamed the yellow
press, had been allowed to sully the
good name Of the city. A fearful ex-
ample must be made. no matter what
the standing and influence OF the pris-
oner's family. Thus goaded on, the
courts acted with promptness. Taken
before a magistrate, Howard was at
once committed to the Tombs to await
trial, and the district attorney set to
work impaneling jury. Justice, he
promised, would be swiftly done. One
newspaper stated positively that the
family would not interfere, but would
abandon the scapegrace son to his
richly deserved fate. Judge Brewster,
the famous lawyer, II was said, had al
ready been approached by the prison
ers wife. but had declined to take
the case. Banker Jeffries also was
quoted as saying that the man under
arrest was no longer a son of his.
AS one paper pointed out. Il seemed
a farce and waste OF money to have
any trial at all The assassin had not
only been caught red-handed, but had
actually confessed. Why waste time
over a trial? True, one paper timidly
suggested that 1t might have been a
case OF suicide Robert Underwood's
financial affairs. 1t went on TO say.
were in a critical condition. and the
theory OF suicide was borne out to
some extent by an interview with DR..
Bernstein. professor OF psychology at
one of the universities, who stated
that he was by no means convinced OF
the prisoners guilt. and limited that
the alleged confession might have
been forced from him by the police,
while In a hypnotic state. This the
ory, belittling as It did their pet SEN
sation. did not suit the policy OF the
yellow press, so the learned profes-
sor at once became the target for edi-
torial attack.
The sensation grew in importance
as the day for the trial approached
All New York was agog with excite
ment The handsome Jeffries man
sion on Riverside drive was besieged
by callers. The guides on the sight
seeing coaches shouted through their
megaphones:
That's the house where the muir
derer OF Robert Underwood lived"
The immediate vicinity OF the house
the day that the crime was made pub
lie was througed with curious peo-
pie. The blinds OF the house were
drawn down as If to shield the In
mates from observation. but there
were several cabs in front Of the main
entrance aud passers by stopped on
the sidewalk, pointing at the house. A
number OF newspaper men stood in a
group. gathering fresh material for
! the next edition. a reporter APP
preached rapidly from Broadway and
/ Joined his colleagues.
/ We'll, boys" he said cheerily. Any
! thing doing? Say. my parer is going
| TO have bully story tomorrow! Com
plete account by Underwood's valet
! Fe tells how he caught the murderer
! Just as he was escaping from the
apartment Wen have pictures and
everything. It's fine. Anything do
! Ing here?" he demanded.
Nav" grunted the others in dis
gruntled tones.
I'VE saw the butler" said one re
porter. "and tried TO get story from
| H.. ha rafnead "a to1lr