Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-10-07
Mysterious Death.
A YOUNG WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN DELAWARE
coUSTY-PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

| YOUNG WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN DELAWARE
couSTY-PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Saturday evening week Serena Worrell (daugh-
ter of Jonah Worrell, Of Upper Provideuce,) ell-
gagged In domestic service in the family of Capt
Isaac johnson, of Ridley, Delaware county. went
TO Westdule Station to lake the cars to visit her
home near Media. She reached the station AT
about p. m, and was Informed that the train
did not start until O'Clock. There was one man,
and perhaps Others at the station at the time
She walked up the railroad toward Nesdale
bridge, and did not return to the station.
On Sunday morning her ifeess body was found
lying In Crum creek, below the railroad bridge,
aud close by fooi-og used for crossing ihe
stream She was lying on her right side, her face
poinling down the creek, her clothing aud hair
being In complete order, save where touched by
the water, which was about fool deep. Her
face was resting on fiat Stone her arm beneath
her, her LETT iused upward from her body. o.
the teJt side of her head, that pointing upward
was bruse or confusion, ard this was the only
mark of violence about her Her hat light and
small, was lying IN rock, as though So placed,
on the opposite side of the creek To where she wns
found, and some fifteen feet distant from her
body The crossing log was seven feet above the
creek, and at either end 1t was difficult to get on
OF off, especially in the darkness. Before leaving
her place OF employment she drew sufficient
money To pay her fare 10 and from Media, and
this was found upon her, tied In n handkerchief
She was fist discovered on Sunday morning by
the watchman on the Wtstdale bridge, and he,
with the assistance Of Others, took her from the
water and her body was conveyed To Media, where
Coroner Risby summoned an inquest on Sunday
night, the testimony ELECTED being substantially
AS above narrated. Drs. Rowland aud Dickerson,
assl,tcd by L. d. Snider held post,norlem .x-
animation, and the conclusion Lv them arrived
at was that the cause OF her death was sutfOca-
tlon in the water, supeiinduced by the force of
the fall or blow on the head, which for the time
rendered her senselcss.
The Injury on the head was only an ordinary
bruise, scarcely amounting to wound, and may
have produced death or scnseessness. The
membranes OF the hrain showed congestion nu
proved hsr coinaiose condition before the drown
Ing. After this testimony had been taken, the
jury were unwilling to render verdict, for the
position of the hat could not be accounted for
no motive for suicide was shown, and there was
no good reason Tor her veuturing passage by a
route so d,Dgcieus at night time, over gronnd
with which she was unacquainted.
Inc Media Americdn, OF yesterday, saws:
"Ihc jury, which comprises some very intelli-
gent gentlemen, visited the scene of the death On
Monday, and were confirmed In their impression
that 1niy a well matured verdict should be rem
dcred, aud resolved TO again meet to-day, (after
th' funeral OF the deceased for the purpose of
hearing any additional testimony which can be
produced. The case has some mysterious iea-
lures about 1t, aud the jury are warranted in
Their earnest effort TO ret at all the facts and pro-
liabilities. and to ascertain whether the death was
caused by accident, by suicide, or by foul play.
We believe the suicidal view is generally discred-
ited-the doubt rests between accident and mur-
der. The deceased was about 20 years of age"