The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-09
An snexpiicabIe Mystery.


Nothing has occurred in this vicinity
which ha- aroused the public mind more
.l,nrni.aIiv than an affair which was par
= iiv brought TO light on saturday. The
vurkmtn cug.Gcd III pulling down the
wooden huilu!ug at 30. 81 Westminster
street., directly opposite the Arcade, i'll tear
iu- AWAY the Upper raitcr>, came across a
number OF bones secretly slowed away be-
meath the root. AT first 10 notice was taken
If the matter. The attention OF the me-
chanic having the demolition OF the build
in. in charge. Mir. Charles Z. Butts, was
called 10 Tie Iindiug Of the bones, but
liz passed tie affair over lightly, and toid
the umuinte e To continue their work,
at the same time directing the men
to ga to work 1t another portion OF the
luliiug. soon after, however, it became
necessary TO work at the end where the
bone, had beeh found, and Mr. Butts
gathered them up in a heap and threw them
among the debris. In little while another
workman found Il pair OF shoes near the
1Ilace where the bones had been discovered.
Ih. ludinL of the shoes Immediately
awakened suspicion. and upon further
search Two i:r9cr pieces o! bone thali taose
= ryIoU>ly thrown away were found, ana
Hear them was Uncovered par OF Lays
storkiu.S 4 pocket handkerchief, piece
petticolt. The shoes, When found, were
bruised in, and were placed in 4 posi-
ton a. if a person had been standing
in Them. The remains Of the clothing
were very much worn, and would
scarcely bear handling. The pocket hand
kerchicf was yellow with age. From its
ap.carancc it had once been valuable one.
On the corners had been figures, but so
worn j. it that the outlines are now scarcely
-, Il. Z ti,tlyf far. h,,fa f,nn
discovered upon il. The finding OF the
bones and articles OF clothing, as might be
expected. created considerable curiosity,
and large number of persons gathered III
the vicinity. The bones were taken across
tie street TO the Arcade, where MI. DcX-
ter, now owner of the building, examined
item. Officer Roberts, We are lo!o, a!ter-
wards took them in charge. Mr.. Duncan,
tAc uroprictur, gave orders to have the
bone. and olher articles found caVed
Tor further invests CATION. The remnants
Of clothing are now IN the care o!
Mr. Butts. The affair, as we have sad, ere"
atrl considerable excitement among tnose
Who heard Of it, and for the purpose OF as
crr.aiuing the truth Of the various rlimors
ai!oat concerning the mysterious affair re-
porter of the Herald was dispatched 10
Lnnt Up the particulars. The reporter
called upOn Mr. Butts, and from HIM were
a,cGlaned the facts above narrated. Mf.
Eulls is confident that the bones are those
ol some woman whose death ut some pre-
y.ou> time had been toully co1npassed. Inc
female apparel found with the bones gives
Some show OF probability to MI. Buttss
ml>.vin"S. but, of course, for lack OF more
tangible Information, 1t Is Impossible al tnls
writing - arrive at the precise truth.
! HE huiliing was a three-story wood
en- structure, and the upper portion
VA, recently occupied by 5. A. Dexter,
a> pho!UgraphIc rooms. The lower story
was used by >. l.. sherman as cafpet-room-.
The upper stories, we are informed. were
formerly used as Il dwelling. but for num-
Der Of wears the building has been occupied
for business purposes. the place where the
bones and clothing were found was in the
upper story, i'll small space partially en-
closed by partition, and immediately be-
low the roof fronting on Westminster street.
The place was not large enough 10 allo"
person to stand erect, and SO dark that IL
would be difficult to find anything
unless direct search had been made.
The only means Of reaching, TINS
upper story was by an attic ladder.
The whole portion Of the upper
story was divided into small rooms' anu
probably at some time in the past were
used as sleeping chambers. The buildlne
Itself is Of great age, and for many years
has had the appearance Of antiquity. From
the appearance OF the bones, we judge tnat
they hayc lain in their silent chamber for
many years. The ends had been glaWed