New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-06
TWO HELD AS WITNESSES
IN ASYLUM MURDER CASE
Stanley, Caretaker, and Wife
Arrested in Connection with
WyIie's Death at Yorktown.
STORIES NOT CONVINCING
Mystery Surrounds Staying of
Attendant, Both Motive for
Crime and Clews Be-
ing Shadowy.

John Stanley and his wife, Ann, en-
ployed as caretakers at the Strang
cottage Of the Mohansic, State Hos
pital, at Yorktown Heights, were yes
terday arrested as material witnesses
in connection with the murder OF
Charles J. Wylie, the attendant who
was found slain early Friday morning.
Deputy Sheriff Lent of Peekskill went
to Wappinger's Falls yesterday morn
ing 70 quiz the Stanleys further re-
garding the killing The authorities
were not satisfied with the story told
by them. The Stanleys left the asy-
lum on Friday night. Stanley eX-
planned TO DR.. Isham G. Harris. super
intendent of the institution, that Mrs.
Stanley was on the verge Of collapse.
due to the horrifying sight she wit
messed when summoned to Wylie's
room by Michael Nolan, who gave the
alarm. DR.. Harris, who was one Of the
Thaw alienists. granted permission and
they left for Wappinger's Falls. near
IOu6lAhttDS4ts dDOul lpl " IllltS N4S-
tant, about { o'clock Friday night,
and We're found yesterday at the home
of Mrs. John Dwyer who is Mrs.
Stanley's sister
Stanley. Mrs. Stanley and Nolan were
the last three persons known TO see
young Wylie alive. Stanley and Nolan
looked into his room, through an open
window, upon their return home on
Thursday night from Yorktown
Heights. where Stanley had gone to
make some purchases. Nolan had ac-
companied the caretaker to look out
for the horse. Wylie, when they saw
him about 10 o'clock, was reading a
book. Mrs. Stanley told DR.. Harris.
and repeated the story 10 Sheriff Will
lam J. Doyle, Of Westminster County
that some time before Wylie came to
the room occupied by the Stanleys and
asked Mrs. Stanley for reading matter
She gave him book and he returned
to his room. The two rooms are on
the ground floor Of the building, sepa-
rated by the dining room.
stanley's Story.
After seeing Nolan to his room,
which he occupied with Bernard Gala
CHER on the second floor, Stanley said
he returned to his room on the first
floor and retired. Some time during
the night, he said, he was awakened.
He thought he heard a strange noise
and aWoke Mrs. Stanley. She did not
hear anything and both went to sleep
again. The next morning, about :
o'clock, Nolan was walking past the
window of Wylie. when he saw the life
less body in bed. with the head bat
tered in.
Nolan hurried to the rooms Of the
Stanleys and called to them 10 come
and look" The door opening into the
room, which is about s by 10 feet, was
unlocked Stanley Immediately notified
Coroner Mason, at PeekskNl, Sheriff
Doyle Of Westchester County, at White
Plains, and sent word to DR.. Harris,
who was fishing a few miles away.
A wire screen which was fitted in the
window Of Wylie's room was undis-
turbed. On the window sill there were
stains. This led the officials to believe
the murderer escaped by the window,
sliding the screen back into place after
gaining the opening. No fingerprints
could be distinguished.
Nolan told DR.. Harris OF having seen
man, whom he could not describe
with any accuracy, walking past the
window a short time before he looked
through the screen.
Coroner Mason said last night that
he and his associates were not salts
fed with the stories told by the STAN
leys. and therefore ordered their ar
rest. They were taken to White
Plains. Mrs. Stanley may be released
to-day.
Stanley is about thirty-five years old
and his wife a few years younger.
They have been employed at the Mo-
hansic State Hospital since April last.
last.
Motive Not Clear.