The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-04-18


hole and found to have been lying
on its face. A wheat sack, which
would hold l20 pounds of wheat,
being about 80 inches long, was
drawn over the head and bound
tightly about the waist with a cord.
Tie sack fitted closely to the body
and shoulders. It was marked "H.
II. S." the initials Of a merchant
at Newcastle, Mr.. H. Ii. Smith,
whose clerks swore they sold many
such sacks but never sold any to
Coates. The latest sale was to
reputable family named Gregory,
but many people had like sacks, and
this circumstance, at present, has de-
veloped nothing.
Removing the sack from the
body, little Elvina lay upon the
sward before the silent spectators.
From being long in the water the
flesh Of the feet was beginning to
peel off in wrinkles. The eyes and
forehead were swollen and discol-
ored, but not from bruises--simply
natural causes. The mouth slightly
open, the blue eyes partly closed,
tile little face quite natural. Cheek
and lip death had touched with his
icy finger, and chilled the young
blood in her veins to stiffness
with ruthless haste he bound
The silken fringes ofthose
Curtaining lids forever"
And she was as mute and dumb as
the green turf she lay upon, or the
vii flowers which rocked in the
breeze and nodded against the cold
cheek Of the murdered child, and
kissed her parted lips as if welcom-
ing her to their earthly home.
THE EXAMINATION.
Drs. Dubois aud Flint in due
time, the body being removed to
Gold Hill, made all examination,
and testified that there was not the
slightest trace Of violence or strug-
gle. The girl had not beenylolated.
Her clothing was in good order.
True, her dress was torn, bnt it
was in that condition when she lett
home. She wore knit, close-ftting
under clothing from her knees to
ler waist, buttoned closely, which
was undisturbed.
On Sunday, the 23d. some chill
dren had been at this Identical pros
peel hole, and had moved the pole
on limb spoken Of. Was the mur-
lercd girl then at the bottom Of the
pit, held there beneath the angle Of
that limb? Was she drowned ?
No post mOrtem was held to de-
termine the condition OF the lungs.
Error the second. Was she suffo-
Gated? The same error has pre-
vented that being known, for, on
Saturday afternoon, a rough box
was hastily constructed, the coffin
ordered from CohUuie not arriving
IN time, ana the rapidly swelling
body was buried, and so Elvina
oates, and the secret of her mur-
der too, we fear, were put six feet
beneath the sod beside her dead
father, at Gold Hill. The verdict
Of the Coroner's jury points toward
no one as guilty. win it ever le
known?
THEORIES.
A score OF theories are aAoat in
Placer county as 70 the truth Of this
case. These are a fews
l. Her father killed her.
2. She was kidnapped by beiDy
seized and sacked as described, and
was sutfocated in the baeging.
/
8. She was kidnapped aud at
tempts to outrage her failing, size
was Sutlucated and thrown into the
prospect hole.
4. She was heguiled by some
human serpent, and bribed by pseS-
entS to come away from home 0lone,
as she did, and to leave her usual
route and 60 westward toward
Gold Hill; then she was fntBwe,l,
the kidnapping resulted.
5. She was killed by those. who
desired 10 nevenge themselves upon
Coates.
6. She was drowned n the sack.
7. She was dead wheA. placed ii
IL a .D.h g.. - ....s,. II :. A.,,,,.