Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-05
THE GREAT MYSTERY !
Was Ella Ciapp Murdered !!
Where is tina Body Con ealed?
The Theory IF Murder or Alb
HUctiou Claiming Ground.

Three weeks have now elaFscd-and sad, sad
weeks have they been to many hopsehods-since
ELLA LOUISA CLAP stepped across the Threshold
of her fathers house in one of the most thickly
, settled portions Of the city, and still
No TIDINGs'
Had an invisible gronaut descended from the
heavens in his airy globe deliberately thrown ont
his grapnels, seized upon the girl just as the door
Of her home closed after her, and transported her
without delay to the realms OF the nfdels moth
ingness, her fate could not have bee more ike
sealed book Is no one gifted with the power to
unloosc the seals Death, in the multiplicity Of its
forms and horrors, is less terrible than thi,
Awful SUSPENSE.
Family connections aud deeply interested and
philanthroric friends have exhausted most of the
means suggested to them to find the missing one
securing the woods for an area of many
miles, draining the mill ponds, examining every
part of the river and making personal investiga-
tons and inquiries in every direction, and not
trace Of the missing ene; not footprint not
scrap Of paper on which might have been written
tie last message; not
DROP OF BLOOD,
speaking Of foul play; not piece of iibbon, or
girrs hat floating upon the dark waters, TO show
that the not uncommon fate Of the suicide
chosen.
One theory after another has hoated along the
medium Of street talk; as fast as they have come
to the knowledge of friends, they have been traced
to their sources, and then investigated until they
have exploded without results. Had she become
frightened and wandered off short distance in
some out Of the way place to die, her remains
would have been found. Had she taken to the
ponds river with the purpose of self-destructon,
the floating body Of poor feeble one would ere this
lave unveiled the mystery. And then, those who
know her bcst-lncluding her physician-scout
THE IDEA OF SUICIDE,
taking the ground that she had no inclination OF
disposition in that direction; and even if she had
her strength would not have held out long enough
to email BILE her to accomplish that object The the
DRY Of any prior arrangement with parties, looking
to abscondng or flight of any kind, was enter
tanned scarcely for moment.
But there is theory that to cur minds has not
been exploded true it has been followed up and
Investigated by the friends of the missing one, but
no experts have been put on the track. Say what
naugurated TO follow up the State street carriage
matter. It has been reported that that theory has
been exploded along with the rest, but it has not
been subjected to the searching scrutiny of detec
tivcs or those who are known to be experts in trac
ing ont criminal transactions. The city, in the
exercise Of its authority, has to the help
Of friends and the community, and offers reward
that ought TO enlist the attention of some one We
find that the opinion is gaining ground, more and
more, as the days roll round, that
ELLA CLAPp WAS MURDERED,
On passing out of the house she might have bee N
enticed by an acquaintance to take walk, and not
return at once to the house; she might thus have
beed led off for base purposes, after the accom-
plishment of which murder was the next
resort. Suppose some villain induced her to enter
that carriage State street, and after entering,
the girl was seized with fainting fit, bel ing sub
iect to such attacks; what would be the natural
impulse Of bad man Murder, and next conceal
ment. This is shocking thing to believe, but it
is as reasonable as it is painful. But where has
the body been concealed II may be within
mile, or II may be within FIVE miles of her home
10 some door yard, in the woods, or secluded pas
ture the work being done so dexterously, as to
elude the keenest vigilance that has yet been
brought to bear. Soon Will come the snow to COW
or up the last trace of this foul crime, and it is in
the interests Of public security and in the Of
our common humanity that this dreadful theory
which has at last been thrust upon the community
be taken up and followed out by hands and brains
not unused to the devices of great criminals.