The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-09-26
A Horrible Mystery.

For the past ten days persons living in the
vicinity Of Jacksen's Bridge, or as it is more
commonly called Red Bridge, structure
spanning the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
about one mile from the city limits, detected
a very offensive and peculiar smell, aud were
unable to trace its origin until yesterday,
when most horrible discovery was made
In a dense woods aud concealed in mass Of
briar bushes and brambles, and distant about
six hundred yards from the railroad, were
found the remnants of two white men. One
Of them was lying upon his face, and by his
side was discharged single barrelled pistol
The other man was lying upon his back, and
near him was another single barrellcd pistol,
but not discharged. The bodies had the APP
pearance of having been desigpedly placed
where they were found dispelling the first
impression that the men had met their death
while engaged in duel, as was suggested by
member of the jury of inquest. Had the
men engaged ia duel it would have follow
ed that both pistols would have been dschar-
ged, whereas but one OF them had been emp
tied of its contents Both bodies were clad
in black cloth coats, pants and silk vests,
dark ribbed SLOUGH hats, and one in linen
duster: One oc the men had on calf skin
CATERS and the other pair Of slippers. The
parties who found the bodies, not wishing to
disturb them until Coroner had been sum-
moned. notified Justice Layman of the affair,
aud during the afternoon that functionary
visited the spot where the skeletons lay.
/ The first thing done by Justice Layman
A. oolo of tbo 1anonSod 4
which resulted in his finding but two emf
grant tickets from Washington to Pittsburg.
The bodies we're greatly decomposcd. and it
was with difficulty that the fact of their
having been white men was determined
The Justice, after thorough examination,
summoned jury of inquest, but as the caus-
es which led to the death of the men were
shrouded in mystery, verdict OF death from
causes unknown was rendered. After the
inquest had been held grave was dug be-
side the almost skeletons, and when shovel
was placed under one of the bodies for the
purpose of depositing it in the excavation the
head parted from the trunk and rolled down
gulley, while the other body fell to pieces
as soon as disturbed by the shovels. So
great was the stencil that the clothing could
not be taken from them whereby Identified
ton might possibly be obtained hereafter.
Prior to the interment, however, a careful
examination Of the skulls of both men and
their bodies, upward from the stomach, was
made for traces Of bullets or stabs, but none
could be found. the absence Of which still
further identifies the mystery.
About two weeks ago band Of gypsies
were encamped within one hundred yards of
where the bodies were found yesterday and
many persons are of the opinion that they
murdered the two men and afterwards hid
their bodies in the bushes 1t is known that
the gypsies while at the above encampmcnt
committed many acts of lawlessness, and on
one occasion they waylaid and robbed COL
ored man, first knocking HIM down with a
club. Information of this outrage was lodg-
ed at the Western Police Station the day
following its occurrence, but the gypsies be-
| ing in the county were beyond the reach of
the city authorities. 1t is evident that the
men, whosocver they might have been, did
not die by each Others hand, as all the sur
roundings prove that fact, aud the only true
solution is that they were murdered, thea
robbed, and afterwards thrown into the thick
! ct where their bodies were found.