New Britain herald., 1915-02-11

LnOr1Cl0S, WnO are working together III
 an attempt to clear up the mystery
 surrounding the diabolical murder of
 Rev. Father Joseph Zebris and Miss
 Eva Gilmanaitis, his housekeeper, at
 their Church street home on Monday
 night, lends the impression late this afternoon that something more import
 ant in solving the mystery than has
 before occurred is at hand. Sev-
 eral unusually important clues have
 been discovered today, but whether
 or not an arrest is imminent is impos- sible to state because the state police are maintaining an almost SphinX-like silence. The Herald learned late to-
 day, through Alex Krystofk, a local photographer, that about two weeks ago Miss Gilmanaitis' was severely beaten by unknown men. Last night, according to a verified report. a strange man entered Curtin's saloon on Park street and exhibiting a heavy 32 caliber revolver, declared that he knew the five men who committed the murder and would get them and ob- tain the reward if the police failed in their attempt. All of these facts taken in connection with the fact that Chief Rawlings, Sergeant Bamforth and detective left the city early this afternoon for an unknown destination and that half hour or so later an- other detective and Officer Ted" Ma lone are supposed to have left the city in an automobile, lends credence to the supposition that the authorities may have at last struck a clue that will unravel the mystery. They may even at this time be pulling taut the strings which will bag the guilty parties. The presence of States Attorney Hugh M Alcorn and Superintendent Egan of the state police, at the scene of the murder this morning gives added inn petus to the belief that ere is some thing doing Another | that may help is that about one cl< ago Miss Gilmanaitis tried to borrow $35 from Thomas Lacey, storekeeper, for Father Zebris. He told her she could have the money the next day, but the next day she said she didn't need the money as the priest had found that his accounts were all right.
 Story of Organist. 1
 There Is no doubt. judging from a story told the Herald by A. Krystofk, the church organst, but that the housekeeper Knew moro about the trouble that the priest was up acainst than any other person, and if any one l can be found to whom she confidel her information they will undoubted- ly learn something of importance. SThe fact that Father Zebris received threatening letters is already known to the readers of the Herald, but it was learned today that six months later a man small in size and speak ing the Lithuanian, Polish and Italian languages called on the priest at the rectory, told him he had killed man and had receive largo amount of money for it, but was unable to use 1t. He claimed that he was desti- tute. Father Zebris replied that he had only fifty cents in ais possession and would gladly give that to any poor family. He was not inclined to give it to his visitor, because he did not think from his statement that he needed it. What occasioned more surprise than the visit itself was the fact that the man. who did not give his name, spoke so many languages, 1 passing from one to another without any apparent reason. The visitor left with the evident intention of call
 ing on Rev. Father Bojnowsli. Fath- 1 CT Zebris never saw him again.
 It has been learned from Krystofiks s ! story that some men who were char ! 'acterized as "bums'' by Eva Gilman aitis often called at the rectory seek | ing money and that on one occasion | about two weeks ago she said they | beat her. The details of this occur ! renee has not been explained, except | that she made reference to it when ! discussing her affairs with neigh l boring storekeeper, Mir Lacey. It is l also related that about the sarAo time 1 she called on MT. Lacey and asked 1 him for loan of $35 for Father i Zebris. MT. Lacey replied that he | did not have the money just then but 1 to call in the morning. She returned i at that time, saying that the priest 1 had found upon examining his ac counts that he was not short at all. This information has been given to the police and they have found that ! the dead c1ergyman's bank book shows his accounts to have been as reported the morning after the loan was sought. This tends to throw a more interesting light on the case and If any one can be found who had the , confidence of the housekeeper some valuable information may be ob- tained
 While out walking several times with the organist of the church, Mr. KryS- tofik, they encountered many strange men who spoke to Father Zebris as if they knew him. He simply bowed on such occasions, but never failed to remark to his companion his sur prise that strange men should speak 10 him so familiarly. 'I don't under Stand il" he would say. Il don't