The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-15

On SuSplclOH or DSlnS the masked highwayman who created a reign of terror among the night watchmen at Bridgeport factories, and finally mur- dered Marton Szovah, night watch man at the Tait Paper MTlIs at l. O clock on the morning of February 4, John F. Miller, aged 30. is under detention at police Headquarters to- day, with a damaging array of evil dence against him in the hands of the authorities.
 Miller is of American birth, mem Der of Park City lodge, Woodmen of the World; and widely known about town. He has resided at various ad- dresses, including 320 Lenox avenue, 363 East Main street, and 1242 State street. When arrested he was work ing as a farm hand on the Beaver Brook farm in Milford.
 The chaIn of evidence against Mil Ter, while entirely cfrcumstantial, is a powerful one and is as dramatic as any st:ry from dime novel" His arrest is the result of clever detective work on tke part of Detective Sergeant Edward Cronan assisted by Policeman Andrew Mrazik. It was a chain of very slender clues in the first place and the wa:chfuIness of Coroner J. J. Phelan that led to the discovery of the murder, and sti1 more slender chain of clues that first turned sus- plcior toward Miller and finally un- earthed the facts that led to his ar rest.
 Here is a brief chronological view of the facts in the case, and the chief circumstances that stand against Mil Ter and led to his arrest:
 February ?, Joseph Kekacs, night employe at Alb. and E. HenkeFs lace factory in Bridgeport, held up by highwayman in black slouch hat with handkerchief tied over lower point of his face. Highwayman forced way into boi CT room of factory and covered Kekacs with pistol. stating that he knew it was pay day and demanding Kekacs' pay envelope.
 February 3, Howard Jewell, night watchman at Hawth orne Manufact tur- ing Company in West End, held up under exactly similar circumstances by same man.
 February 1. q a. m). Marton Szovah. night watchman at Tatt & Sons paper mill in West End, shot while going the rounds in his fac
 Putting these facts together the au- thorities were at first inclined almost work of a lunatic who had a mania for holding up night watchmen.
 Then the fact was observed that each of the hold-ups had and the mur- der had occurred on pay night, and in all cases, including the murder, the crime was the work of a man appar- ently familiar with the premises.
 Then came the discovery that John F. Miller, familiarly known as Jack Miller, a man with a record as a ''ne'er do welI', and known to be in circumstances, had been employed as night watchman at the Alb. and E. HenkeIS lace company the Hawthorne Manufacturing Company and the Tait & Sons paper mill as night watchman, had lost his job in each case, and was familiar with the Hay Of the land' and the pay day at the three factories in question.
 The only avai able description of the suspected man fitted Miller exactly six feet tall and of medium build black slouch hat. The highwayman' face was concealed by a handkerchief tied over his nose and mouth and leaving only his eyes visible.
 Then it was ascertained that Miller had been seen at the Tait paper mill on the night of the murder, and a .32 calibre revolver with which the crime was committed was traced to his pos Armed with these facts Detective Cronan and Officer Mrazik set out to find Miller and after some difficulty located him on the Beaver Brook farm in Milford.
 When the two officers drove over to Milford yesterday Miller was discov- cred in the pastoral occupa ton of 'eading a COW to pasture. When in formed that he was under arrest he expressed great surprise. Informed of the nature of the suspicious against him, he declared that he was anxious to go to Bridgeport and face down his