Woman Involved in Camden Mystery

Newspaper article with photographs, Woman Involved in Camden Mystery
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 7, 1902
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WOMAN INVOLVED IN CAMDEN MYSTERY After Being Questioned by the Prosecutor She Is Committed to the County Jail—Believed to Be an Important Arrest CROWDS IN FRONT OF THE JENNINGS HOME DURING FUNERAL While mystery apparently as absolute as ever still obscures the motive and the criminal in the case of John Houseman Coffin and W Price Jennings, the unfortunate Camden lads whose trip to the country at Haddon Heights last Wednesday resulted so tragically, it is surmised from hints dropped now and again the matter may soon be cleared. However, those who are working so assiduously to bring the guilty person to justice are as close-mouthed as the proverbial clam, and but meagre information reaches the public. Last night a woman, about 45 years old, was committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse. On the commitment her name is given as Mrs. Barber. She was committed on complaint of County Detective John Cherry "as a material witness to prove certain allegations pending against one Paul Woodward, who is committed to the county jail charged with the murder of one John Coffin." The woman was placed under arrest after a long conference in the Prosecutor's office. Prosecutor Lloyd said last night that the woman lives on a farm at Marlton, and that she is a very important witness in the case, so important, in fact, that she cannot regain her freedom without a good round sum being put up for her security. Woodward Again Examined The investigation into the case was somewhat retarded yesterday owing to an attack of rheumatism that made Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd remain at home. The day's responsibility rested on F. Morse Archer, the assistant prosecutor. The latter yesterday morning had Woodward brought into his office, where he underwent for the sixth time a thorough cross-examination. Mr. Archer said Woodward had made no confession, as had been rumored. On the contrary, he still maintained his innocence. In answer to a question Mr. Archer said: "We are doing our best and while we are in possession of information which we consider important and vital to the case, it is impossible at this time to make it public." On the other hand, County Physician Jones was very emphatic in this particular, saying the boys were murdered beyond a doubt. Boys' Funerals Yesterday afternoon the funeral of the boys took place at the same hour and within a square of one another's homes. Although the hour set for the obsequies, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, had been kept secret scores of persons stood about in knots discussing the tragedy and eager to get a glimpse of the caskets containing the remains of the boys. Police Captain Boyle and Policemen Kappel, Toy and Ridgeley guarded the houses, and no one except relatives and intimate friends were permitted to enter. But when the caskets were carried from the houses the crowd could not be kept back. Many persons crowded about, and the mourners entered the carriages between two solid phalanxes of curiosity seekers. The services over Jennings were conducted at his home, 219 North Third street, by Rev. C A. Adams and Rev. John Lyell. At the Coffin home, 305 North Third street, Rev. William H. Fishburn had charge of the obsequies. Companions of the boys acted as pallbearers. Jennings was buried at Evergreen and Coffin at Harleigh Cemetery. George M. Beringer, a Camden chemist, who has the important duty of discovering, if possible, traces of poison in the stomachs of the boys, said yesterday he is making a thorough chemical analysis and is of necessity proceeding slowly. He said he will not be able to report the result for some days to come. A pathetic little incident occurred at the Cooper School during recess yesterday morning when the children, school mates of the lads, gathered about and listened to the muffled beats of a drum. The school flag was at half mast and in every room there was a flag draped with black crepe. The youngsters were visibly affected. GEORGE M. BERINGER, The Camden chemist who is making an examination of the internal organs of the two boys.

WOMAN INVOLVED IN CAMDEN MYSTERY

After Being Questioned by the Prosecutor She Is Committed to the County Jail—Believed to Be an Important Arrest

CROWDS IN FRONT OF THE JENNINGS HOME DURING FUNERAL

While mystery apparently as absolute as ever still obscures the motive and the criminal in the case of John Houseman Coffin and W Price Jennings, the unfortunate Camden lads whose trip to the country at Haddon Heights last Wednesday resulted so tragically, it is surmised from hints dropped now and again the matter may soon be cleared. However, those who are working so assiduously to bring the guilty person to justice are as close-mouthed as the proverbial clam, and but meagre information reaches the public.

Last night a woman, about 45 years old, was committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse. On the commitment her name is given as Mrs. Barber. She was committed on complaint of County Detective John Cherry "as a material witness to prove certain allegations pending against one Paul Woodward, who is committed to the county jail charged with the murder of one John Coffin."

The woman was placed under arrest after a long conference in the Prosecutor's office. Prosecutor Lloyd said last night that the woman lives on a farm at Marlton, and that she is a very important witness in the case, so important, in fact, that she cannot regain her freedom without a good round sum being put up for her security.

Woodward Again Examined

The investigation into the case was somewhat retarded yesterday owing to an attack of rheumatism that made Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd remain at home. The day's responsibility rested on F. Morse Archer, the assistant prosecutor.

The latter yesterday morning had Woodward brought into his office, where he underwent for the sixth time a thorough cross-examination. Mr. Archer said Woodward had made no confession, as had been rumored. On the contrary, he still maintained his innocence.

In answer to a question Mr. Archer said: "We are doing our best and while we are in possession of information which we consider important and vital to the case, it is impossible at this time to make it public."

On the other hand, County Physician Jones was very emphatic in this particular, saying the boys were murdered beyond a doubt.

Boys' Funerals

Yesterday afternoon the funeral of the boys took place at the same hour and within a square of one another's homes. Although the hour set for the obsequies, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, had been kept secret scores of persons stood about in knots discussing the tragedy and eager to get a glimpse of the caskets containing the remains of the boys.

Police Captain Boyle and Policemen Kappel, Toy and Ridgeley guarded the houses, and no one except relatives and intimate friends were permitted to enter. But when the caskets were carried from the houses the crowd could not be kept back. Many persons crowded about, and the mourners entered the carriages between two solid phalanxes of curiosity seekers.

The services over Jennings were conducted at his home, 219 North Third street, by Rev. C A. Adams and Rev. John Lyell. At the Coffin home, 305 North Third street, Rev. William H. Fishburn had charge of the obsequies. Companions of the boys acted as pallbearers. Jennings was buried at Evergreen and Coffin at Harleigh Cemetery.

George M. Beringer, a Camden chemist, who has the important duty of discovering, if possible, traces of poison in the stomachs of the boys, said yesterday he is making a thorough chemical analysis and is of necessity proceeding slowly. He said he will not be able to report the result for some days to come.

A pathetic little incident occurred at the Cooper School during recess yesterday morning when the children, school mates of the lads, gathered about and listened to the muffled beats of a drum. The school flag was at half mast and in every room there was a flag draped with black crepe. The youngsters were visibly affected.

GEORGE M. BERINGER,

The Camden chemist who is making an examination of the internal organs of the two boys.

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