New-York tribune., 1919-03-15
Impressions Upon Blood
stained Hammer Give
Detectives a New Clew
Action Expected To-day
Long Island Villages Are
Searched to Find Owner
of Weapon Used to Slay
.Stnf Corrcsnnndenc,

stag Correspondence
LONG BEACH, l.. L., March 14.--The
police net around the murderer Of Mrs.
Julia wilkins, slain at her home here
February 81, frightened to-day New
evidence, it is predicted will give the
case sensational turn here to-mor-
row.
While detectives refused to reveal
what they had uncovered, they said
confidently that the murder mystery
was near solution. Fingerprints on the
blood stained hammer that crushed out
the life of the aged woman have been
identified, although some of the marks
were faint.
Because of to-day's discovery the
authorities have not abandoned the
clues they have been working on. De
tectives searched all night in nearby
villages for the owner of the hammer.
They said progress was being made.
During the day DR.. Wilkins's home
again was searched. What was sought
could not be ascertaincd. The doctor
spent most of the afternoon at home
with his attorney. Neither would see
reporters.
Investigators said that the first floor
of the house WAS in good condition,
but the rooms upstairs were dirty and
disturbed. According to them two dogs,
a monkey and a parrot were found
on the upper floors.
Detectives said that when they qucs-
toned DR.. Wilkins concerning the con
dition of the upper floor he told them
that while seeking the key to Mrs.
Wlkinss safe deposit vault he found
500 under bed He added that his
wife frequently hid money and that
he had found large sums tied in rags.
More details of what happened just
prior to the murder were obtained
from Dr.. Wilkins to-day. He said that
when he and his wife walked up the
steps leading to the front door, he
noticed that the outside door was open.
He turned to his wife and said: "My
dear. you must have left the door un-
locked"
The physician said that when he put
his key in the lock of the inside door
he saw form cross the hall. Then he
turned to his wife and said: "I think
there is some one in the house, prob
ably thief. You go and get assist
ance and III go in She went down
the steps and l entered the house.
thought l was sending her to safety.
Patrolman White, of Long Beach
told yesterday Of finding the doctor
bending over his injured wife He
was the first to arrive. White said
that when he reached the yard the
physician looked up and said: "Thieves
have been here"
White continued: "He picked up q
hammer that was beside MS wife S
body before could stop him.
On the inside DR.. Wilkins explained
to White that when he left there were
two chairs at the table. During the
preliminary search White found three
glasses on the table and three chairs
drawn up. There was an empty bottle
The policeman said there was dust in
the glasses. DR.. Wilkins said when he
left the house in the morning the bot
tie was nearly full.
Detective William J. Burns cues
toned the physician yesterday again
concerning things which the authori-
ties are seeking to clear ur They arc
anxious to learn who owned the ham
mer. Wrapped around the handle was a
&c
20. According to the authorities, the
other part OF the paper was found in
DR.. Wilkins's home. This gave the
detectives the impression that the
murdercrs must have been in the house
some time before the murder