The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-20
THE MORRISANIA MYSTERY.
An Investigation Cons
monCed.
Exhuming the Remains at woodlawn Cems.
tery-Appearance OF tho Body-Pcrtions
Removed for Acknowledgement
Of the Coroner's Inquest.

An article which appeared In the HERALD OF tho
9th inst, detailing certain suspicious circumstances
attending the death OF q German named John
Witzel, at Morrisania, Westchester county, some
years ago. has since occasioned the most intense
excitement In that community, where reco.lectiOns
OF the dismal occurrence were wildly brought
back to the minds OF the citizens, many or whom
had almost forgotten tine CHASTITY story. The pOpu-
lar and irresistible clamor for an Official investga
ton which was urged in these columns cnlminated
yesterday at Woodlawn Cemetery. where, in the
presence OF Coroner Bathgate and jury
OF inquest, Wooster Beach, NJ. D., Coroner
Nelson w. Young, DIR. Freeman. OF West Farms.
together with few anxious spectators, the monde
ering remains OF Witzel were exhumed, TO the end
THAT science may determine whether the prevailing
suspicious of death by poisoning be correct other
wise.
INFLUENCE OF THE HERALD;
and In this connection the mysterious power OF tho
HERALD may be briefly adverted to as illustrating
that mighty lever of the age, which, resting upon
the fulcrum OF untrammeled thought accom-
plisles the boast Of Archimedes and moves the
world. Here man dies rather suddenly, ana,
as Is alleged amid strange surroundings; the body
hustled to its last resting place ere the f0rmaltes
Of an inquest have been enacJed suspicious OF foul
play are publicly avowed. and then, perhaps, for
GOTTEN the SHOWS OF several winters fall nOse0ssly
upon and as noiselessly disappear from
THE DOOMED SEPULCHRE
where what was once human form Ia fast mlngltnR
with its parent source when the talsmanic voice OF
the HERALD commands the dead to come forth, and
the imperious mandate Is obeyed.
thar Witze's death had been brought about by
other than natural causes have been already set
forth. succinct resume OF the case will snfrce In
this Instance Deceased. who, 1t Is stated, lived
unharpily with his wife, owing to
died after an illness OF few hours, DUR
ing, tine summer Of 1865, and was buried
Of '1 %itzels death he was Keeping reresn
ment saloon near Harlem bridge where he had &C.
over his saloon deceased had rented as q billiard
room to party named wagner, VINO, It Is
re- 70 this day became too intimate Win the
house. 1t was generally suspected that he had as
sisted Mrs. Witzel IN permanently removing her OBJ
SUSPICIOUS WE'RE STRENGTHENED
when the wife or the deceased subsequently left the
neighoorhood' ana, as Is wen known, wagner went
Within the past few days Mrs Witzel. accompa.
having Produced si copy OF the MEaAnD oensanns
an account or the mysterious death OF the HUSBAND
asked his advice in the matter, when ne informed
them That the only way by which to allay the public
THE REMAINS ExHuMEp M
preparatory to u thorough investigation. TO de-
iraylng the expense OF this proceeding they at first
demurred, but finally agreed, at the suggestion OF
Beach, This they have DONE and it ia bat fair td
state that they now appear most anxious that an
exhaustive examination Shall DE maze.
Contrary to expectation when the CONN lid was
removed the remains found 10 DC In ad-
vanced stage OF decay, the limbs having
LITERALLY TURNED TO DUST,
while the body had almost reached fhaa
period when the process OF decomposition
terminates. IL was with difficulty tnat the
portions requisite for an analysis were obtained,
as the liver was completely gone and hardly trace
ever. revealed some Of the muscles Of the last
named organ, and these, together with section OF
the vertebra and other portions OF the body,
carefully removed and taken charge Of
by Dr. Beach, as 1t will require about two weeks
TO make chemical analysis OF the parts indicated,
until a day to be hereafter named by the Coroner
rhe following the names OF the jury:--Ricnard
Tyer. James La COrse, John Murphy, Frank Curtis,
Richard veitch ana Joseph Zugner.