The New York Herald Newspaper, August 30, 1873, Page 3

THE NATHAN ENIGMA, f Inspector Walling’s. Character . - of Irving. A Burglar, Pickpocket and Hen- Roost Robber. CHIEF MATSELL “DON'T WANT HIM.” The Confession a Ruse to Get Free Board and Travel. Ex-Judge Cardozo and the Memo- randum - Book. Opinions of Dr. Leo and Com- missioner Lewis. AWASHINGTON NATHAN WARMLY VINDICATED, Irving a Native of the Hight- eenth Ward. s Wo Relation Whatever té the Sun- . nyside Irvings. Singular Revelation by a Brooklyn Doctor. — The Strange and Human Appa~ rition He Saw. “DOCTOR, YOU KNOW TOO MUCH.” A Loaded Bludgeon Smeared with Blood. The Murderer of Nathan Declared To Be Dead. Ex-Chief Campbell on the History of Irving. His Career as an Incendiary in Jersey. THE MYSTERY DARK AS EVER. The strange story of the Nathan murder comes wp once more to public thought and discussion ‘with all its tragic interest as fearfully enthralling asever. ‘The least trifle seems to be capable of stirring up this slumbering and dreadful mystery, til it thrills and thrills again through the street Bnd fireside gossip of the whole country. Little doubt seems to prevail but that this wretched thief Lirving, who is now in the jail of San Francisco, knows, deep down in his soul, that in the confession which he has made he lies; but the eager discus- sion his statements have aroused only goes to show how sensitive the public mind is concerning this most impenetrable tragedy. In the columns that follow a ‘good deal of sew and curious information will be found, but nothing tangible showing by whom the murder was com- mitted. The warm defence which the three gen- tlemen whose names appear in the San Francisco despatch enter on behalf of Mr. Washington Na- than id deserving of attention. The singular cor- respondence between the Chief of Police in San Francisco and the Chief of Police here is well worth reading. It will be observed that Chief Matsell’s letter declining to take a free gift of the thief Irving from the Police Department of San Francisco is dated July 1%. Therein he states that he is already aware of the various dodges Irving has been practising, and that his latest—the pretence of knowing all about the Nathan murder—is a ruse to get free travelling across the Continent and free board and lodging bere, “He knows nothing about the murder,” re- marks ‘Mr. Matsell, and this, it would appear, is the universal belief. It is over three years sinre the terrible deed was committed, and we soem to be no nearer a solution of whom the murderer was than we were then. Of vourse the jacts of the tragedy are fresh in every- body’s memory—how old Mr. Nathan was found tying on the oor of his dressing room one morn- ing, his head beaten to a jelly by some rude, blunt. instrument; how tle surroundings indi- cated that the old man declined to yield his life without an effort at self- preservation; how the awful news spread over the city and stirred up the most profound feeling of anxious horror; how the housekeeper and her boy were suspected and held under surveillance for a | long time subsequently, and howthe restiess current | pf suspicion in the public mind eddied around the sons of the murdered man, All these things are as of y@terday, so deep seated and alive is the feeling that pervades the people's thoughts on this strangely shrouded deed of blood. The time,’ it is to be hoped, is near at hand when some light will be let in upon the mystery, but if Matseli’s meas- urement of the man be correct there is little of truth tobe expected from the pretended revela- tions of the thief Irving. Whe Confession Laughed at at Police Headquarters. At Police Headquarters the San Francisco despatch created no little merriment among the “old hands,” and some of the new ones too, as irving’s little game was well known to them weeks ‘go. His claim to relationship with the author of the “Sketch Book’ provoked ahearty laugh from inspector*Walling, who knew the impostor twenty yeors ago, when he used to while away the tedious hours in the—to him—congenial occupation of robbing neighboring dove cotes and hen roosts. ‘Related to Washington Irving,” said the veteran Inspector, “‘Iguess he ts! Why, [have known his Mother at least twenty-five years, She used to keep @ boarding house at No. 216 Third avenue, and many is the time she has boasted to me of having been born in Scotland, and rejeived in the knowledge that her “auld mon’. was a true born Scotchman. As! have said, irving began his career of crime by appropriating the neighbors’ pigeons and fowls. As he grew older ne ‘ TOOK KINDLY TO POCKETPICKINO, and used to run with a gang of Bowery car thioves, As near as J can remember be marriéd in the Eighteenth ward, some seveuteen or eighteen years ago, and his statement about having a wife and daughter, the latter fifteen years of age, is mbout the only trae thing he says, About nine years ago he was arrested by Detective Lyons, of the Tenth ward, on a charge of burgiary, for which he got five or six years in Sing Sing. Whilo serving bis ‘ime there he wrote @ letser to the District Attorney, stating that he could give fal} jnformatiypn concerning the | . me #8 NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1873—TRIPLE. SHEET parties who had a year before killed & policeman ip the city. The letter was shown to me and we sent an oilicer up the river to ‘‘inter- view” Irving, telling him that if he wonld impart the information at once he should be pardoned, But he wouldn’t “impart” worth a cent, simply be- cause he knew nothing whatever of the case, It was a pardon he wanted, and he was just fool enough te think that we were so verdant-as to get it for bim in advance of the information he pro- } fessed to have, On the 26th of May, 1870, he was again arrested by Omcer Walton, who found on his person a full set of burglars’ tools. Upon this occasion his picture was taken, and you will now find it in one of the books in the Detective Oftice, It is No. 490, He was not convicted this time, but had not been long out of the Tombs before we heard of him in Brooklyn, where he was SHuT IN THE LEG by a night watchman, who detected him, with sev- eral others, breaking into a bonded warehouse. His confederates made good their escape, but he soon squealed on them, and for this he was allowed .| considerable liberty in the jail—Raymond street— where he was confined. Taking advantage of this, he readily made his escape by scaling the ‘wail. Alter this we heard nothing more of him for about a year, when one fine morning I got a despatch from San Francisco. stating that he had just left there on a steamer bound for New York, and requesting me to arrest him on the ship’s arrival here, as the O~ ple in San Francisco had @ Ittle aitference with him in regard to a burglary. I sgot an officer down to the ship on her arrival. bit Mr. Irving had taken the hint, and stepped oif before the ves- sel had reached her dock.” “Weil, then, Inspector, you take no stock in his story about his having Killed Air, Nathan?’ inquired the reporter. “s 'v, DO, Rot ‘the slightest, He no more killed Nathan than Idid, He wants to get back to New York at somebody else’s expense, and he thinks Ne are going to send fer him. We knew all about is COCK AND BULL STORTES long ago. This is the second ‘dodge’ he has hit upon, but it won’t work.’? ‘The following 13 i THE CORRESPONDENCE which passed between Superiftendent Matsell, of this city, and the Calitornia oiicial Sacramento, Cal. ‘To Gronce W, Marseu., Chief of Police Do you want J. T. Irving. ed with the Simpson or late Chatham street burglary? ¥ MATT, KARCHER, Chief of Police. This was the first intimation that our police au- thorities had of Irving being in California, For some reason or another no answer was sent to Chief Karcher, who, three days later, sent thig:— : Sacnaueno, Cal., July 15, 18/3, To Chiet Marsett, 30) Mulberry street, New York :— Thave arrested’ J. f. Irving.” Do you want him? An- swer. Chief KARCHER, Sacramento Police. Mr. Karcher seemed persistent, and Superintend- ent Matsell kad nothing to do but send the follow- ing laconic but explicit reply :— New Yo To Matt: Kancnrr, Chief of Police, Sacri No. Evidence insuiticient to convict. G. W. MATSELL, Superintendent. A NICE RUSE. Before Chief Karcher received the above he de- livered himself of the following, the date, it will be observed, befug the same as Mr. Matsell’s de- spatch:— July 16, 1873, ‘amento, Cab :— SacrAwxwro, Cala, July 16, 1873. Gronce W, Marseta, Superintendent of Police :— ’ By secrecy cancapise the arrest of all the parties, re- cover some of the property here and nearly all Bast and furnish the evidence to convict. Answer iinmediately. MATT. KARCHER, Chiet of Police. But New York will have pathing: to do with the gentle Irving, as the next despatch shows. Here It ist— New Yor, July 16, 1873. Marr Karcnrr, Chief of Potico :— Your telegrain duly recetved. In relation to the’ man Irving, who was reported as being implicated in the robbery, of a jewelry store of some Shay worth of goods on June 2; I will say that Lam informed that there is not sufficient evidence to convict or hold him, were he now here. Under these circamstances Jao not feel justified in ordering his arrest and incurring the expense that would follow when uo satisfactory results are likely to be obtained. There are now two persons confined in the ‘Tombs under indictment awaiting trial for this robbery. Yours, &c., G. W. MATSLLL, Superintendent. Some men arc irrepressible, and this Sacramento Karcher seems to be at the top of the pile, The major- ity of Mortals in his position would have considered themselves effectually “squelched,” but he didn’t, ‘Three days glided by and he could stand it no longer, 80 seizing @ quill he entered into THE THROES OF COMPOSITION, and brought forth this:— ‘Orrick oF Cuter oF PoxscR, BACHAMEIFO, } Saly 19, 1873. Superintendent Matseut, New York city :— St—Through information received I arrested one J. T. Irving as being connected with the robbery of a Chatham street jewelry store. Isent you a despatch in answer to yours, telling you what 1 could do in the matter, and Uunking you might. have. misunderstood the’ mat- ter, ‘conchided to write you. 1 will give you some iteins in reference to the robbery, and you can judge for ‘ourself if I have been wrongly iuformed or not. Parties ired rooms in Doyers street, in the rear o! effected an entrance by passing over the The tools used were a coupling }1 S small saw, brace and bit, steel wedge and a 1}, chisel, The partition was bored away in the rear of the safe; the iron was ripped off the back until they reached the inside lining, then broke through a beavy cast iron plate, when they reached the inner woodwork, boring that away. They then removed the trap containing the valuables that were carried off. The tools were leiton the ground. The jimmy, I believe. was found on the roof. Tbetleve 1 dan turn up all the parties connected with this affair and recover much of the property (or at leust it could have been done when I first telegraphed you), and ifthe matter has been Keptin your oflice itstands ust as when I first sent you word of it. Please answer by telegraph if can have your assist- ance in this matter, ‘or itt shall discharge Irving. Yours, with respect, MATT KARCHER, Chief of Police. Considering his despatch of July 16 a sufficient answer, Superintendent Matsell paid no attention to Karcher’s letter, but on the 7th inst. the sub- joined letter from the Sheriff of Placer county, Cal., was received, and in answering it Mr. Mat- sell gave an effectual quietus to the whole affair, ‘and iorever blasted Mr, Irving’s hopes of getting to New York at the county expense :— IRVING SPEAKS HIMSELF, Here are the letters:— Avpurs, PLaccr Counrz,sCal., August 7, 1873. SUPERINTENDENT MatsELL, New York City Police :— ‘Dean Sin—John Irving: the writer o1 the accompany. ing letter, came to my vilice several days ago and volun- teered a statement in regard to the celebrated and mysterious Natban murder, truthful and straightforward. I there is no doubt of its soundness, and 1 think he is just what he represents himself to be in his letter: and now I write to request you to take hold and assist in bringing this matter, which has been so long in darkness, to light. 1 presume the first step to be taken wili be for him to re- turn to New York deliver bimself or have bimself delivered to the authorities, Please drop me a line on receipt of this and give me your advice in the premises. Having been Sheriff of, my county tor several years i natural id feel an interest In such matters, and more especially in one like this, which has remained in such protound mystery. Hoping gon, to bear fron you, | re- main yours, truly, . D. N . ee % Sherif, Placer county, California. Avnonn, Angust 7, 1873. Sureminrenpent Masteui—As the information I am about to impart in relation to the Nathan murder may be regarded with suspicion I want it distinctly under- stood that I Jook neither tor notoriety nos emolament in this cage. Whatever credit there may be attached to it rightiully belongs to Sheriff Brennan, who will with me exert every possible means to lay before you tacts which cannot be denied. I have in my possession papers which T shall produce in due season to fully corroborate my tes. timony ; also witnesses whose evidence will bear me out to the letter. You may say what has induced me to take such steps? I will answer that for the future | have re- solved to retracs, ny steps not knowing | what might transpire and place me in'a position where I coud not extricate myself, hence my determination to get rid of a burden which has tome become insupportable. Ali parties connected with the case are within reach. You rake hold of the case, then I will fully substantiate ever thing to your satisfaction and lay before the public testi- mony of the most damuing character against those to whoin no suspicion has ever been attached, 1 shall not enter into any details here, but await patiently an answer to the above. Very réspectfully, your ob servant, JOHN T IRVIN BUT MATSELT, DOES NOT WANT HIM. New Yorg, At 617, 1 B.D. Donan, Esq." rape hth Yours of the 7th inst. received. In relation to the man Irving { will say that he is well known to our people. He isa thiet, and lett, New York because he was sup posed to have been implicated in the robbery of a jew: clry store in Chatham street a few week turned up and arriv know all since. He Sacramento, and p¥etended to bout the robbery, and could retover the goods, 4c. ‘The parties who did the job were arrested and sen: tenced. He has written to one of my captains asking to be brought back to thiscity; im fact, he is ready to do anything to get here. His rue at Sac nento havity failed he has now taken up the murder which he knows nothing) as a dodge, by which he hopes to get to this city. We do not want him, Yours, Ac., G. W. MATSELL, Superintendent. atl Captain Kennedy's Statement. A HERALD reporter called at the Franklin street Police station last-evening. Captain Kennedy said that he received a telegram trom San Francisco regarding Irving some time ago, and on its receipt tqegraphed over word to Mr. Campbell, Chief of Police in Brooklyn, to know if Irving were wanted there, He received an answer to the effect that the only charge against Irving in Brooklyn was that he had “broken” jail there, or. to speak moré plainly had escaped from Raymond street jail. RevortER—Well, why did he cause a despatch to be sent to you, Captain? Captain KENNEDY—I guess it ts becanse he wants to get back to New York in the quickest way possible. He was indicted for a robvery in Chatham streot, but he kuows well that he could not be held under that indictment. The two men who com- mitted the robbery are now in the Stafe prison, || undergoing thelr terms for the offence, but there is not a particle of evidence nyou Wich this man rving could ve hela. He simply WANTS TO GET BACK to the city.at the expense of the city and county ot New York, and all these statements are bosh, He is under an indictment and he knows, as all thieves know, that he cannot be heid under it; and, hence, his anxiety to get back to New York at the expense of the public. AN OLD DODGE, “This feliow,” continued Captain Keanedy, “has practised this dodge once too often. I remember the time, myself, when he was arrested in Auburn, when he confessed that be had shot a policeman in this City (OF Whe ®mDig purpyse Of Deing brows from Auburn to this city, fearing that, if convicted in Auburn, he would be sent to the Auburn State Prison.” REPORTER—But it seems strange thata man un- der a ban, as he was, would wish to return to New York, where some charge or other would hang over his head? ° Captain KENNEDY—My dear !sir, every New York thiei—or marderer, for that matter—wants to re- turn to New York. Sing Sing State Prison is nothing to them. They are New Yorkers, and Shag. oan, see their friends all the time, PORTER—Then you do not take any stock in this man, Irving, as a first class murderer, Cap- tain?” asked the reporter. CAPTAIN—NO, sir; I believe he is a dead beat in that respect. I can give you the names of the two men who really committed the Simpson robbery in Chatham street, for which this fellow was indicted, AE Zak likes bat he had not the first thing to ao rt Washington Nathan’s View*of Ite Areporter of the HERALD called yesterday after- noon at the residence of Washington Nathan, in Fifth avenue, and learning that the gentleman was not at home returned later tn the evening and found bim at his dinner. Apoiogizing for intruding at so unseasonable a time and upon 80 delicate a business, the reporter inquired of Mr, Nathan whether he desired to say anything or to express ay, ‘opinion on the subject of the revelations made g. “ In the most gentlemanly and unembarrassed maaner Mr. Nathan excused the intrusion and ‘Well, all that Iean gay of the subject is that I Know nothing about it beyond what has been pub- lished in the morning and evening papers. 1 put ho faigh in the report, however, and think that this man, who makes ihis statement, merely wants to be brought back here. That ts all I have to sa on the matter, and beyond this you Know as mucl about tt as Ido, I see that Mutsell does not believe the man and does not want him.” Thanking Mr. Nathan for his Porter withdrew. “John T. Irving” Not Known In Irving- ton, » A HERALD reporter got off the cars at Irvington Yesterday afternoon to test the veracity of the statement in Irving's confession that he was born at Sunnyside and is a relative of Washington irving. Captain Warman, “chief of police,” though there is but one policeman in Irvington, who is the captain himself, was on the platform of the station, and on being asked over how long a period of time his acquaintance with Irvington ex- tended, replied :— “A quarter of a century.” “Then you must Know if anybody named John T. Irving eveyresided here?” The captain answered that the confession of the man in the jail at San Francisco had been read by the villagers, The statement that he is a bative of Irvington had spread like wildfire, and everybody was asking everybody else if he had heard of or had known any one of the name. All was blank ignorance of the individual. The oldest inhabitant was in the dark as to his identity, and courtesy the re- the general conclusion reached was that anybody claiming to be “John T. Irving, a native of Sunnyside or Irvington,” Was an impostor. Irvington is a village by she Hudson River Railroad, and Sunnyside, a few fur- longs away, is the. celebrated country seat where Washington Irving resided for many years after leaving the busy atmosphere of New York. It is now occupied by his two neices, Miss Catharine and Miss Sarah Irving, two elderly maiden ladies, daughters of General Ebenezer Irving. Accom- panied by Captain Warman the HERALD reporter paid a visit to Mr. John Mann, a nephew of Wash- ington Irving. Mr. Mann has lived in Irvington filty-seven years, but never heard of anybody named John T. Irvingy except the brother of Washington, Judge John T, Irving, who died in 1833, and lived his life in New York. Washington had three brothers, Peter, John T. and Ebenezer. ‘The latter had eleven childr¢h, and of these only three sons survive, Saunders, Theodore and Pierre P. Irving. Judge John T. Trying had Rg daughters and several sons, but his nate Was reproduced in none of his issue. The youpgest of his children, if now living, would be consider- ably over fifty years. Washington and Peter were never married, so the whole state- ment of this confessed accomplice in murder about being born in Irvington and being a relative of the distinguished author ef the “Sketch Book,’’ has no truth init. There was no other Irving family in Irvington, and the only child ever born at Sunnyside, at the Irving man- sion, was a daughter of Mr. Otis Swan, President of the City Bank. There is an Irish laborer and his family in the village named Irwin, but they know nothing of “Jonn T, Irving.” The description of Irving’s appearance has none of the characteristics oj the Washington Irving family. They were dark- complexioned, a8 a rule, whereas this man in San Franc: ig represented as @ blonde, with fair hair and light haze! eyes. There is ne doubt but that this part of the confession is @ lie. Ex-Judge Cardozo Speaks. Tue HERALD reporter called at the law office of ex-Judge Albert Cardozo, late of the Supreme Court of*this State, yesterday afternoon, to ask nis views concerning the alleged confession made by a man, now in jail at San Francisco, Cal., asserting his complicity in the murder of Mr. Benjamin Nathan. At the mention of the object of the call Mr. Cardozo at once replied that in his opinion the story was not entitled to the slightest at- tention. He considered it either the emanation of an insane man’s imagination, a con- coction published by some one wishing for a certain notoriety, or a trick by a sailor to procure his discharge from a disagreeable shipping contract. As to one point, said Mr. Cordozo, Iam exceedingly sorry for the publication. It names Mr. Washington Nathan as the instigator of his father’s murder. This does terrible injustice to young Mr. Nathan. As you know, Mr. Nathan’s youngest sister is,my wife. Iwas his confidential legal adviser, and Ikngw most thoroughly the re- lations between him and bis children. He con- versed with me in relation to the SPECIAL PROVISION FOR HI3 SON WASHINGTON in his will, That he particularly singled him from the others and made a peculiar bequest to bim arose from the fact .that Washington was the son for whom he entertained @ paternal partiality, rather than any other motive. Mr. Nathan, in discussing the provisions of the will he proposed to make, said to me:—“As to all my other children, if they have not brilliant business qualities they know how to take care of what! may leave them, but Wash can’t keep money; a pretty face would coax every cent away from him. mus guard against that by wil.” The reporter suggested that there was an im- pression that Washington Nathan had occasioned dificuity and annoyance to his father by reckiess use of money. To this Mr. Cardozo replied that, to his certain Knowledge, nothing of the kind had occurred. Wash could any day have procured from his father tA gad Ke ae Meee wae ge at he 8] ey pr eely, as for people of signder means nis ais! arsdingnt would ave been profligate; but for a family of their | great wealth it was only a mere trifie, and never gave Mr. Nathan the slightest trouble. He simply saw the weakness of Washingten’s character, and sought to guard him by the conditions of his legacy against suffering from it. The relations between the father and son were peculiarly pleasant, unre- strained and harmonious. So intimately do I know young Mr. Nathan (Washington) that [ doubt ifin the whole country there could be found an tn- dividual to whom the idea of such a crime would be more repugnant. He had NOT THE SHADOW OF A MOTIVE, even, to think of or wish such anevent. Nothing could be more Lise td to his nature, which is one of unusual amiability and affection. Only entire misapprehension of his character and the relations between him and his father could have thrown any suspicion upon him in connection with this dread- ful crime, and he has been Ru unfortunate in being hela up before the public in this San Fran- cisco despatch as guilty of & crime against which his whole being would revolt. From the discovery of Mr. Nathan's murder I took the deepest interest in the attempt to bring the criminal to justice. In conjunction with Jus- tice Dowling and Police Superintendent Jourdan, I directed the long and close investigation which followed it. From the strict examination o1 tie facts as we were enabled to trpce them, we per- fectly agreed in the end in our conclusion as to WHO WAS THE MURDERER. At the first I believed the crime to have been committed by the housekeeper’s son, and so stated to Mr. Jourdan, From his earlier examination of the premises and of the persons in and about them, he positively negatived the suspicion, and pointed Out to me his reasons. for doing 80, which were conclusive. Nevertheless, we kept the housekeeper her sop under the strictest surveillance for a long time, order to make sure that they were in no Way privy to or connected with the crime. The murderer gained access to the house by the balcony window late in the night, using the “‘dog’’ to help him climb to the sill. Notning is further trom the fact than that the murderer was concealed in the cellar for hours. If, as this confession asserts, the murder was com- mitted by the connivance of the housekeeper’s son, who left the latch open, that might as well have been done immediately before the murder. There was no need for waiting in the cellar. We know, on the other hand, that the ‘dog’ came from Mr. Schank’s house, which was robbed some time be: fore. We had the man who committed that rob- bery, taking away also the “dog,” which he kept tll he parted with it to BILLY FORRESTER, WHO SLEW MR, NATITAN, There are certain necessary links of legal evi- dence to establish this fact miasing, but of it I have not the slightest donbt, nor had elther of my col- Jeagues in the investigation.”’ he statement in the San Francisco de- | spaten wnt bonds, part of the booty of the Nathan murder and robbery, there is nota particle of truth in it, Mr. Nathan kept no such property in his house. Re had a large safe down town, and, though a heavy operator in securities, never kept them in his library safe, Neither did he keep money there, Possibly he might have had about him a few hun- dred dollars, but his habit was not to carry or keep at home even bat sum. So far as the statement 1m regard to a memorandum book. goes it, is pos- sible the man calling himself Irving might have found such a book, Nathan may have lost it before hia death, or it might have been CARRIED AWAY BY THE MURDERER and come eventually into Irving's hands. It is not necessary even to believe he has such a book. ‘The names he mentions as contained in it he might have obtained withont its ala, My own was promi- nent enough inthe published evidence before the Coroner. Dr, Leo is well known, A man who has lived in New York may have picked up the names 4 easily enough, REPORTER—In your mental exculpation of the housekeeper how did you account lor her not being wakened by the noise of the terrible struggle between Mr. Nathan and his murderer? She slept 1m the adjoining room. . Mr. Cakpozo—That houge was built by Mr, Nathan with extra thick walls, and not a door in it is less than four inches thick. He took especiai pains to “deaden”’ the walls to sounds, saying that ‘he did notintend anybody in his house should overhear What was said or done in his dressing room.” With Superintendent Jourdan I tried the experi- ment. One of us being in one room and the other in the next with the door closed, we found it im- fort | to hear the loudest screams. In tact Mr. athan may be said to have prepared the way for his own late by his care to exclude noise from his house. When he was killed, alter a battle which upset and broke furniture, his two sons sleeping ip the room directly over him, with arms under their pillows, as was their habit, heard no sound of the deadly affray. The crime was not originally planned fora murder, It was AN INTENDED ROBBERY. The killing of Mr, Nathan occurred in carrying out the plotted burglary. Mr. Nathap was aman who bad not an enemy in the world, Dr. Simon N. Leo on the Tragedy. Dr. Leo, Whose name is given in the San Fran- cisco despatch as appearing in Benjamin Nathan’s pocket memorandum taken from him by his murderer, 18 One of the Deputy Coroners of this county and @ well known and highly esteemed citizen, He was found at the Odroners’ Ofice, On being addressed on the subject of the alleged confession he said he had seen it and was startled, puzzled and pained by it, He and his mother had always been on intimate terms of friendship with the Nathan family, Mr. Nathan, among other charities, was one of the chief promoters of the of Mount Sinai Hebrew Hospital, of which Mrs. Leo, the Deputy Coroner’s mother, and his uncle, Mr. Samuel A. Lewis, were also prominent patrons, If any such book isin the hands of the man Irving Dr. Leo knew what “it was like—a sort of calendar or pocket companion, having the Jewish festivals and or a of observance for the year named in i’, rinted in Hebrew and Enghsh, It would also ave blank leaves for memoranda, and my name or that of my mother and Mr. Lewis would quite likely be written there, as a reminder to Mr. Nathan in reference to something which he wished not to forget. How the California man cau have khown either of the names except that of Judge Cardozo is a puzzle to me, un- less he has such a book as he describes or is intimately acquainted with the assuciates of tue late Mr. Nathan, Neither my name nor that of Mr, Lewis was at all mentioned in any of the publications subsequent to the murder. As to the name in the despatch, ‘Samuel Lewis Cummings,’ there are two men, Mr. Cummings being another rson, of whose connection with Mr, Nathan Mr, wis will be able*to give you some account. “The ‘confession’ states what | have the strong- est belief to ‘be wholly and utterly false when it connects Mr. Washington Nathan with the crime. Ihave knewn him periectly from childhood. We were close neighbors an Lied up together. Nothing can be more unlike Washington Nathan than to think of such a crime. Ihope you will do him pee uate to state that to one who Knows him thoroughly, ag I do, there never could be the Shightest suspfcion of his having apy connection wich that terrible crime,” Samuel A. Lewis About the Memoran- dum Book. Mr. Lewis, lately one of the City Commissioners of Education, was found last evening at his man- sion on Fourteentn streét. He knew at once what the HERALD reporter wanted to find out, and, seating him in a room completely lined with fine ofl paintings, told him, in a brief, business-like manner what h@knows ot Mr. Benjamin Nathan’s memorandum book, which in sabstance ta this:— About New Year’s of the year in which the murder was committed the Rev. Mr. Lyon, of the Nine- teenth street synagogue, a brother-in-law of Mr. Nathan, presented to him as a souvenir, a small ocket memorandum book. kefore giving it ay wrote in it in Hebrew characters a recor’ of the year and day on waich certain of the mily had died. It is a Jewish custom to commemorate the death of near relatives by prayers in the synagogue on each anni- versary of their death. It was to thus honor the memory of his mother by prayers early the next morning that Mr. Nathan and his sons were stay- ing at home that night, while the balance of the family were in the country. Mr. Nathan had frequent occagion to meet Mr. Lewis, both socially and on thé business of the Mount Sinai Hospital,in wich boty had for many yeats been trustees. Mra. Leo was at the head of a ladies’ auxiliary society connected with the hos- pital. Mr. Nathan frequently addressed Mr. Lewis as “Commissioner,” which may in his book look like the name “Cummings,” which is said, in the San Francisco despatch, to appear init. That book has not been seen by the Nathan family since the murder. Mr. Lewis thinks however that there was a man named Cummings, against whom Mr. Nathan held a mortgage, and therefore the hame might book. He is strongly of the opinion that the man who has made the statement in San Francisco must have seen the book which Mr. Nathan is known to have received from Mr. Lyons and carried. He is also most emphatic in expressing the opinion that there is no truth whatever in the imputation thrown upon young Wasinngton Nathan, whom he characterizes as utterly incapable of contriving or Wishing such @ deed of horror, What They Know of Irving in Hoboken. Chief of Police Donovan, of Hoboken, a man who knows Irving well, discoursed as follows to a HERALD reporter yesterday afternoen :— “I arrested Irving and Charles Carr on July 30, 1870, at No. 37 Garden street, Hoboken, where they were secreted, and Recorder Bohnstedt handed them over to the New York authorities, This was onacharge for attempted barglaryof the pawn store of Simpson & Co,, atthe corner of the Bowery and Delancey street, at which time the burglars had dug through the walls and had only one course of bricks to remove in order to effect an entrance to the jewelry vault. They were also suspected of rovbing the dry goods store of Lander & Co., Nos, 11 and 13 Lispénara street, of $4,500 worth of laces, whith were subsequently found in Carr’s possession by Captain Petty and Detective Fields, and for pe is DOW serving out a term ol flve years at Sing Sing.” Irving was admitted to bail in $3,000 in the first- named burglary and forfeited his sureties. Some ten or twelve years ago there was a suc- cession of incendiary fires at Elizabeth, N. J.. and ‘tt was decided to employ detectives to ferret, the parties out. For some reason yy: was selected, and one night, while engaged in this pursuit,'the iron safe tn a coal omice was blown open, and the next day Irving had disappeared, which led toa suspicion against hem. Marks of blood were aiso found, and Irving, on being hunted up in New York, was foand to have @ wound on one of his arms. He was arrested, but managed to escape conviction, Irving is @ man of good address, abont five feet five inches tn height, solid built, fair complexion, light hair, small gray eyes, and about thirty-eight to forty years of age, IN BROOKLYN, What the Police “Over the Water’; Know About John T. Irving, the Self= Accused Accomplice in the Assassinas tion of Nathan—A Thrilling Leaf from a Surgeon’s Journal—Whose Wounds Did He Dress on the Night of the Tragedy t—Is This a wt It has for some time past been a common asser- tion thatnothing of any moment can vecur in tho United States that will not, in some manner, tn- volve the mention of the City of Churches with the event. Ifa crime of any prominence is discovered, surely either the victim or the perpetrator # a Brooklynite, Should @ railroad accident occur, among the suffererg’re people of that same godly city. Every one of the great conflagrations of the past year and @ half have involved the most seri - ous tosses to insurance companies of the City of Beecher, Surely, all these coinci- dents are = not necessary to attract outside attention to the community of saints and sinners—the latter largely preponder- atingss the chronicler of events and the readers of the HERALD have long been aware. The latest connecting link between crime and Brooklyn i# floated over: the wires from the city within the Goiden Gate, in the form ofa telegram published in these columns yestefday morning, telling the world that some reliance is, after all, to ve placed in the trite maxim, “Murder will out,” imasmuch ag a certain John Irving, in custody of the police of the eeli-accuged prisones has corta J San Francisco, had confessed he bad peeg a comied: in the | erate in the brutal murder of Mr. Nathan, who was found slain in his bedroom, opposite the Fifth Ave- nue Hotel, on the morning of July 31, 1871, Brook- lyn comes in just here in the case. It furnishes a record of the prisoner Irving. On the night of January 1, 1871, the watchman employed to guard the extensive spice mills of Ar- buckle & Co., Water street, near Pearl, discovered that there were four burglars in the buliding and that they were endeavoring to break into the safe in the office. He at once ran off to the Fulton ferry, distant three blocks, and procured the as- sistance of two policemen, who returned tothe Premises, but were spotted before the oMicers could obtain an entrance to the mills, The bur- glars rushed pellmell fromthe building and paid no attention to the threats of the officers that they would fire upon them. Patrolman M’Carthy did fire, and tho bullet from his pistol entered the back of one of the flying burglars, bringing him down instantly. The wounded man was at once taken into cugtody. The others made good their escape. The prisoner was removed to the York street sta- tion house, where he gave his name as sohnny Irving, and was identified as being an old offender and @ member of one of the worst gangs that in- fested the two cities. On searching the house in which Irving lived, on Adams street, near York, it was found to contain not only handsome furnl- ture, but also a quantity of silks, velvets, &c., tho presumed proceeds of burglaries, The day follow- ing the arrest the physicians gave it as their opinion that the wounded burglar would die from his injuries. Irving, who was constantly attended by his wife and their daughter at the station house, became convinced there was no hope of his recov- ery. In view of his approaching dissolution, he TURNED STATES’ KVIDENCB ¢ and gave the names of his accomplices to the Chief of Police, This information led to the arrest of “the pals,” desperate characters every one, and they were incarcerated tn tho Raymond street jail. Irving was sent to the City Hospital, where he was kept under the watchful eye of a policeman until his wound healed sufficiently to admit of his re- moval to the County Jail. Here he was placed in the-debtor’s room, being in delicate health anda witness fer the prosecution. iow it became necessary for the three accomplices to urge their friends to promote tac escape of the witness Irving, without whose testimony the prosecution Soul not make good the charge of burglary against them. ‘The consequence was that one morning tn the month of April, 1871, it was discovered that Irving had made his escape from the jail. There was a small hole in the wall, through which he was said tohave drawn his body to the hall without the debtors’ room. How he managed to open the heavy jail door, or in what manner he came into poseestion of the Keys was never clearly explained, earch was made upon ewery side lor the jail breaker, but to no avail. No tidings of him were ever gleaned by the Brooklyn police until within the past two weeks, when the chief of the’ San Francisco force telegraphed the arrest of John Irving to ex-Chief Campbell, of Brooklyn, inquiring if he wanted the prisoner, he “pals” of Irving in the spice mills’ bur- giary had, of +course, been set at liberty when he could not be found, and there was little use in bringing him on here, at great cost, to stand trial for jail breaking. So there was nothing done about it, The murder of Mr, Nathan took place at a period within three months subsequent to the disippearance of Jonnny Irving, whose description auswers the one sent ex-Chief Campbell of the more recently self-con- fessed accomplice o1 the murderer of Mr, Nathan. ‘This tact, as previously shown, coupled with a dis- position to betray his comrades in crime, gives strong coloring to the theory that there is inuch trath in the story of Irving now held in California, INTERVIEW WITH EX-CHIEF OF POLICE CAMPBELL, The foilo is an interview which @ H&BRALD reporter had with ex-Chie! of Polfce Campbell, of Brooklyn :— “Mr. Campbell, is not this man Irving, in San Francisco, who is reported to have confessed Being one of the parties implicated in the murder of Mr. Nathan, of New York, the same man who ‘was arrested for burglary and escaped from the mond Street Jail 7”? “T think he is the same man. His name, as you will remember, was Johnny Irving. 1 don’t know whether he had a middie letter In his name or not. ‘Tias he ever been a seaman 7” “Well, I think he was a kind of Jack-of-all-trades. He was a smart fellow and @ professional tnief.’” “You see, Mr. Campbell, by the MERALD what ne gays about the dog.” “Yes, that rather bothered me.. He says the dog they used was stolen froin a ship carpenter's chest. 1 thought that concerning the dog was all cleared up. § understood that it was fully explained.” “He -algo speaks very clearly about his having bonds and & memorandum book.” “Yes; if his story is correct, there can be no doubt about his being the man.’ H “If I remember rightly, with two or three others, committed a burglary at Arbuckle & Brothers’ coffee and spice mills, if Water street, Brooklyn, and was shot in the back while attempting to make his — had “Yes, he was shot by Officer McCarthy, of the Second precinct police; Was then caught and taken to the station house in York street. He made a kind of confession at the time concerning the burglary and gave the names of his confederates. 1 got to the station house shortly after, an Captain McConnell told me what Irving had said. 1 went over to New York and saw Chief Kelso. He gave the names of these men to an officer, and by the next morning allthe parties who were said to heve been con- cerned in the robbery were in custocy.”’ “This robbery, was committed before the murder than. this robbery at Arbuckle’ was commit- ted on New Year's Eve.” “Yon are underéhe impression that this is the same man, are you not 7” “Well, I have very little doubt about it, for shortly before I was removed from my position I received @ telegraphic despaten from the Chief of Police in San Francisco asking me if I wanted Irving. This fellow was arrested on a ship which came tnto California, as I see. Now, he never would have made a confession here concerning the robbery if he had not thought he was going todie. From the station house he was sent to the hospital, as he. was seriously injured. His confederates were placed in jail. Irving got better, as you will re- member, and the authorities were informed of the fact and he was removed {rom the hospital to the jail. Inconsequence of bis being sick they placed him tn the debtors’ room, and from there he made his escape by cutting a hole through the wall.”” “He ¥. the only witness agaust his confed- erates, Was he not?!” “Yes, sir; the others could not be’ convicted un- less he was canght, They were subsequently liberated on bail, ana jad cleared out, Steve Ma- loney, one of the party, is now serving a term in State Prison, having been arrested and convicted for highway robbery. He robbed a man in New York by throwing Mad Lang in his eyes, and the poor | man was nearly blinded. He was a bad fellow.” “This was nearly two years ago, was it not’? “Yes, 1 think It Was about that time. Then She if Walters told me he would like to get pee again, Then 1 searched for him. gracious! How I travelled after that fel- jow! But I never found him ana never heard of him again until two weeks ago, when I received a ape from California asking me if I wanted him, 1 asked the Commissioners if it was best to send for him, and they said I had better see the District Attorney. I sent Detective Folk to Assistant District Attorney Cullen, and he said that it would cost considerable to have this man brought back from California, and it was doubtful after we got him here if we could convict him, for there was not evidence enough against btm.” “Do you think his story about the dog is true?” “This dog which was used, it was said, was taken from the cellar of a gentleman who had kept it for the purpose of opening his boxes of wine, But, as I said before, i Erving has these bonds and the memorandum book of Nathan, why it must be true.”” rving lived in Brooklyn ?” . “Yes, Ering resided in Adams street, near York, and his house was well furnished, He had a wie and child. This child, I should think, is about jourteen years of age now.” “bo you know anything concerning this McNal- ley Irving speaks of ?”” “No; he was not known in this robbery and nis name was not mentioned by Irving. Irving’s pic- ture is now in the Kogues’ Gallery, Captain nedy, of the Sixth precinct, New York, received a despateh from the Chief of Police in California, asking him if he did not want Irving, and he came over to see me. Itold him the only thing that I wanted him for was for breaking jail, and I did not think it would pay to have him brought uweK just tor that.” THE PRINGJPAL IN THE NATHAN MURDER. A reporter of the HERALD, in a conversation with Surgeon J. C. Johnson, of No. 81 Henry street some months since. became convinced that he had been called in his profession to dress the wounds of the Vpelgel a in the Nathan tragedy, and was aesirous of publishing the act, but at the earnest request of the surgeon ne said nothing about it. The man died, and for a time the matter dropped. Yesterday the writer again called upomthe Sur- ah and had the following conversation witn (m :— “Doctor, I suppose you saw the confesston of this man Irving in the HERALD this morning 1” “Yes, sir.’? “Do you not think it possible that he might have been implicated with the man whose wounds you were called upon to dress the morning alter the murder?’ “Well, I don% know. This man Irving was a thief, as I understand—a professional thtef—and the man whose wounds I dressed was a proles- sional gambler. He had, however, got in with these thieves and had lost caste among his asso- ciates. The morning after the Nathan murder a, carriage drove up to my door, and this man came in with a — scalp | wound which ne desired me to dress. 1 asked him how he got the wound, and he replied, ‘Oh, ‘was ona lark and a@ fellow struck me.’ He ‘T may y in, Doctor.’ a: said 1, ‘if you do, when shal call?’ He replied, ‘Never mind about that; Lshali be able to come to ‘ou,’ and he then drove off. Two nights after this he Fouted Me Oph AvOUL tO O'CLOCK kn the MQk b , this man, in company | 3 ing, and when I got upJ objected to being rontea out at euch an unseasonabie hour, He said, ‘What difference does it make to you Doctor, as long as you are paid? 1 ‘told him I’did not ask him for any money, only 1 thought he might come some other time. With that he threw ine down & $100 bill. I said f did not have any change, ‘Who asked yon for any change? When I want any change | will ask you for it,’ he said. 1 dressed his wound Sane. it Was not a serious one, and he took some of the plaster and went away, That was the last 1 saw of him until November 15, 1871, when | was called to his house to see him. I was not told who I was going to see, but when I reached the. house I re- cognized him. He then had inflammation of the Jungs and pneumonia, and was bolstered ap In bed, breathing with very exhausted respiration. He hi neglected himself for a week or ten days, and wi retty bad, He said when he saw me, ‘Doctor, J ave hot much money now, but if you will get me out I will pay you.’ On one of my visits they insisted that I should stay all night. He then confessed to me that when he recelvea his injury he wag en- gaged in @ burglary, and turning to lus wife he Said, ‘Sis, give the Doctor my headache stick?! She shook her head, but he satd, *Yes, give it to the Doctor?’ She then took from’ beneath the bed this bludgeon (the Doctor here exhivited the Weapon.) It was a formidable looking stick, about the size of a policeman’s ctub, only one end was loaded with lead. His wife said “this is merely a curling iron, Doctor, My husbana wanted me to look fashionable, dress gay and wear larger curls. so he had this iron made ior me.’ She said it was @ little rusty, I took it to my office and examined it and found tt had hair ‘and biood on it, In ques- tioning him about it and the wound, he said ‘I ,would not have got that if my pals had been pay- ing attention to their business, We were busily engaged, and I was working at the safe, and the first thing I kuew got a blow over the hea with @ chair which nearly Knocked me senseless. Then. of course, we had to defend ourselves and follow it up. He did not say where it was, but Ifelt convinced that he was the principal. Just before hisdeath he asked me if he could not have Masonic funeral. J asked him if he was connected with any lodge, and he said yes, he was connected with a lodge in kngland, I told him he ougnt to take some steps to provide for his wife, and furthermore he ought togive whatever information he ‘had, He looked at me sternly and said, ‘What do you mean? I sald, ‘You have information, valuable information in your possession which you ought. to give.’ He replied, ‘Its damned lucky for oa Doctor, that I am not going to live, for you know too much. Ii my triends go back pn me 1 do not intend to go back on them.’ At this time he nad become reduced in circumstances and had telegraphed to New Orleans for assistance. He received no answer to this despatch.” “Perhaps tifose to whom. he telegraphed were afraid to ew “Yes, I think that wasit. I told him that Phil Farley was coming over to see him and that ap- peared to annoy him, But ise said he would give no information, The clotted blood is still on the club, At the time of the arrest of For- rester, you will remember, the gtrl_ who satd she saw the man state@eeat she heard hfm strike something against the iron fence. Now, my optn- ton is that this man had this bludgeon up the sleeve of his coat and the end struck the fence. I knew at the time Forrester was arrested they did not have the right man, The man who murdered Nathan has gone betore his Maker. He waa a fine looking man, tajl and well proportioned, bat he was finally brought down by a misspent life to death. Iwas called to attend him on the 15th of November and’ he died in the early part of December. He said just before he died that he never intended to take life. They always abandoned plunder before using violence. When they took property there was only one or two interested, but when they took life the whole community was aroused.” The Doctor declined to give the name of his patient, because he said he was well connected and it would make his relatives feel bad. The family resided in New York, but moved over to peony and was living in grand style when he died, His wile appeared to be a very fine woman. Picture of Irving. ‘The picture of John Irving ts kept in that part of the Brooklyn Rogues’ Gallery known as the New York division, and is numbered 490. It represents @ broad shouldered man, about five feet eight inches in height, of light complexion, with heavy Jaws, large mouth, thin, compressed lips and no Whiskers. Ie the Story of Irving an Invention. The fottowing singular letter was received at the HERALD office last evening. Itts anonymous, but is apparently written by some one who knows something of the case + WILLIAMSBURG, August 20, 1879. To THe Epitor or Tae HERALD :— Sin—Yr paper of 29 inst. has the article from San Francisco August 23, 1878, headed The Nathan Murder,” A. P..R, Names ‘Erwin confesses being an accomplice—he says, amongst other things, that “WN, suggested the murder * * “the dog was stolen from a ship carpenters shop.” * * the housekeeper’s son—went in &left ihe latch up so we could get in—* * in the cellar—heard bell ring bine * * were In the celler in the dark ap hour—or an hour & @ half, * * per- haps it was not so late, whena man came down & said “vc fintsued the old mau,” we went up stairs, he (the man) had ‘uck the old man 5 or 6 times on the hesd. * * said he was going to fall * * caught hold of him & Laid him’ down. * * got tween 6 & 7 thou- sand dollars—the safe was open when we went up stairs * * I went from cellar whilst the man washed bis hands & face—he had blood on them.—* * weiooked out door * * took hold of tho castings. * * left Blood marks * * * went outatéo’cA. M. * * Now sir is it not evident that this is a pure in- vention for the benefit of some one. all the cir- cumstances acquit the housekeepers son.—the old man lay in bed at twelve o’clock alive unhurt & was kissed by his younger son & Washing- toncame in after 12 o'clock that niget, and the old man mast have been murdered aiter that hour, as he layin bed the old man was not mar- dered in that way. 1 do not sign my name te cause--* A READER OF YOU PAPER, THE HUNTINGTON HORROR. The Remains of Kelsey Found in Oyster Bay in an Advanced Stage of Decom- position—Tar and Featherson the Mure dered Man’s Clothes--His Chain Identi- fled, OystTEE Bay, L. L, August 29, 1973, ‘The readers of the HERALp wi!l doubtiess remem- ber the story of the bratal tarriag and feathering of Mr, Kelsey at Huntington, Log Island, an ac- count of which was published in the HERALD at the time. Kelsey was a man of education and fine tastes, and ais habit of writing poetry to a town lady of his acquaintance, to whom his advauces were distasteful, brought about his terrible dim- culties, which developments to-day show to have been more fatal than the public were at first dis- posed to believe. For nearly @ year past the trial for the tarring and feathering began against Mr. Royal Semels and Dr. George B. Banks, who were jointiy indicted for tne outrage. Up to the present time nothifg of any account bas been done owing to the absence of Kelsey. Tho absence of the man was said by his enemies to be on account of his feeling too mach shame to return to his native city, while his friends were strong tn the opinion that he had been murdered. On this last issue the case now stands, and it 1s to be tried at the October term of the Oyer aud Terminer of Suffolk county. It is said that the prosecation have been diligent in collecting testimony, but yesterday they ootained evidence which was whoily unlooked for and turned up quite unexpectedly, KELSEY’S REMAINS POUND. While two Oyster Bay fishermen were at work in the bay yesterday this eviaence was gatnered in the following accidental manner :--When near the shore one oi the men noticed something floating, and suspicious to know what it was he pulled towards it. He was horrified to find that it was the nether limbs of B man. The Kelsey story flashed on his mind tn a minute, and on examina- tion he discovered that the garments were be- smeared with tar, to which adhered several feathers. They aiso found a watch chain hanging from the fob pocket of the pants. The chain was broken in two and had gathered the green stime irom the water. Tho men brouglit the chain and watch here, and they are in the possession of Coroner Bayles. THE CORONER'S INQUEST TO RE RESUMED. Immediately on tho receipt of these articles the Coroner summoned the jury to meet to-morrow, at nine odock. The news has created great excite- ment in Huntington, and the residents Will be hero 1m full force to-morrow. The Kelsey trial bas so interested the residents of Huntington that they have made it ‘A PARTY ISSUE, gin, Novermber tere, will be an election for, County udge and Surrogate (Suffolk county econen neatly, bines these offices), in place term expires Decomber. SL 'James. i.” Puthill, tbe present District Attorney, ts spoken of as a candidate, and LS said that the friends of the indicted man, Tino goatee considerable we m1 th, we ., Oper ee ae will nominate poter men will probably ran Mr. iiate Wickbam, & democrat ‘As to the finding of Kelsey's remgtns, or what are supposed to be fis, puts & seriogs aspect on the case, A livelier tterest, tf posaivie, will be felt in it now, It seems now settied beyond se or nay, that the unfortunate man was mardered and thrown into the bay. This theory was stated by Kelsey's friends when the weights were found to be missing from the Huntington mill, STEAM ON THE CANALS, ALBANY, August 29, 1873. ‘he Commission appointed to examine and test devices and plans for the introduction of steam upon the canals of this State will meet at Syracuse on Tuesday, October 14, 1873, Competitors for the award of $100,000 offered by the State are requested to have their respective boats at that point, loaded with 200 tons and RWeSh SY for the dna qv WHS WHA Rg BA RS AIG,