Year: 1876

The Eastern District OF Brooklyn Is again horrined
with the indications of another ghul tragedy, which
=, present seems to overshadow the Merrgan Hanin
and the Torrino murders mans head severed from
the body by clean cut found yesterday afternoon
IN the lumber yard Of John Engs l. Sons, on Milton
street, near West, Greenpoint The finding OF
lhe head took place about three O'Clock in
the afternoon, and was At taken
TO the Seventh precinct station house, corner OF
Greenpoint and Union Place. by Detective
Mullin and Officer Knapp The head found on the
ground between the fence and pile OF ship timber Phe
vacant space being frequently visited by the workmen,
and the fact that - was earlier in the day,
proves that must have boen thrown there later than
noon


IDENTIFICATION.


The head was that Of man about any years OF age,
with dark hair high forehead, slightly bald on the
back Of the head, and full curly mustache and beard
There marks the face; but, In addition to
the clean cut which had severed the neck about an
inch below the ears there two parallel cuts on the
left side Of the neck, but not deep, and the wounds
from the clean edges seemed have been effected with
abutcher's cleaver The discovery at once tele-
Kraphed TO the Brooklyn Police Headquarters ana In
spector Waddy with the entire detective squad, was
despatched to Greenpoint 10 investigate the matter


Meanwhile despatch had been sent TO the Fifth pre-
cinc station house and the description agreed with that
Of fwIlam W. Simmons who had been reported missing
nom his boarding house, corner Of North First and
Fourth streets, since Thursday evening With this
elew an inquiry was commenced, during which Hol-
berger a plumber Grand street. entered the station
house and showed simmons picture. At the request
Of the police he directly TO the Seventh precinct
station house apd identified the head as that of Sim
mons


The matter OF identification thus placed rest Cor
Nolan who had been notified ordered the head TO
be removed 10 Gallagher's Morgue, Fourth street,
North Sixth street. where remains wrapped up
In piece of the German Revie'c dated December l, 1875


MURDERED MAN


about forty five years OF age FIVE feet eleven inches
high, stoutly built and generally considered power
iuI man His family reside at Derby. Conn, but he
lived in Williamsburg, working at his trade Of machn
list IN the axle factory of Jones Henry Co., North
Third street. near Fourth, where he earned liberal
give him the character of industrious man and
steady in his habits, having missed but very little
lime during the three years he had been in their en-
ploy.


He boarded during the early portion Of his stay in
Williamsburg No, 222 Third street. with Mr.. Hal
berger, who speaks highly Of him, saying Simmons was
very regular in his habits He earned average
$40 per week, portion Of which he sent home weekly
but always retained from $50 TO 500 which he carried
on his person About six months ago Mr.. Halbcrger
moved TO his present residence, on Grand
street. Fourth and then Simmons left
him and went TO board with Mr. John
Buck the OF Fourth and North First streets
from which place he has been missing since Thursday
evening MT and Mrs Buck give him a similar charac-
that stated by Mr.. Halberger saying he
of very mcthodical habits, and when he went out he





home Wednesday evening last but on Thursday
evening he out about nine O'Clock, leaving his
door unlocked and light burning In his room, II he
Intended


TO RETURN A MINUTES


From that time he has never returned Yesterday
morning the family reported his absence 10 the police
heard more of him until his head reported
discovered al stated.


rHR WORK POLICE


The moment the received at Head
quarters Chief Campbell ordered Inspector Waddy
and the detective squad 70 the Eastern
District and the OF the Fifth. Sixth
and Seventh precincts sent out to find traces
OF the murdered The 1rst trace OF him after
leaving the house Thursday night being found at
Nc. as G rand street. the saloon of A. Probst which
he entered about O'clock and amer sitting for
hour watching party playing euchre joined In Q
game OF billiards with barbers clerk from next door,
which he lost He paid for the game and drinks, and
left the saloon shortly before midnight


THK THEORY


The clews in the hands OF the police would seem to
point to the idea that Simmons had hdison with
married woman whose husband discovering it. had dealt
with him summarily and had sought TO get rio OF the
body by dividing IL into sections ana scattering them
There Is statement Of workman IN the shop who
acted helper to Simmons at the trip hammer.
He says that Simmons was partially deaffrom the
resonance Of the hammer and that may have contrib
uted TO hts death he could hear one come behind
him. He also said that Simmons used to boast of his
intimacy with q married in Greenpoint and the
narrow escapes he sometimes had from detection by
reason OF his inability to hear perfectly.


In addition 20 this the tracks OF light wagon have
discovered which turned around In the street just
opposite the place where the head was found