The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-22


OFFICIALS DIVIDED BETWEEN THEORIES
OF MURDER AND sUIClDE-A TEST FOR
THE DETECTIVES.
NEW YORK, November 20.-A ghastly
discovery was made this morning when an
incoming tide washed on the rocks off the
Whitehall basin, ut the Battery, the body OF
a drowned man.. The condition Of the
body conclusivcly demonstrated that the
case was not an ordinary one OF accidental
drowning, and it remains an open question
whether the man committed suicide or was
foully murdered. Beyond the mute but
suggestive testimony 10 be found in the
manacled hands and bandaged eyes OF the
corpse there are no other facts upon which
| TO base the theory OF murder. But these
suspicious facts are regarded by criminal
exnerts as rational proof that the authori-
ties have n mysterious homicide case on
| their hands to unravel. The body of de-
| ceased was first sighted about ten minutes
| to s.
The startling discovery was made that
the bands were tied securely at the wrists,
behind the back, by stout hempen cord,
with an ordinary double knot. The cord
was about fourteen inches long, and about
| three inches OF the ends remained dangling
| from the knot. The hands were placed
back to back, with the palms outward, and
rested on the small OF the back. The left
| hand WAS wrenched and twisted as If Il
struggle had taken place to hold the men,
| Der in position while the tying was taking
place, or perhaps in the water desperate
effort was made by the drowning man 10
| free his hands from the fastenings which
secured them. When the cord was removed
| la inn nlrplp1
where the cord had been fastened.
THE ETEs BLINDFoLDED.
The eyes were blindfolded with a white
muslin pocket-handkerchief, which was
knotted at the back Of the head. That it
was carefully adjusted may be learned from
the fact that the action OF the waves did
not disturb it In the least, and it required a
vigorous effort to loosen the parts which
had been tied.
Judging from his cast OF features, he ap.
pearcd to be 4 native of South America.
| lie was about thirty years OF age, and
weighed I55 pounds. His height ap-
Deared to be five feet seven inches. He had i
small dark-brown moustache, scanty beard
OF few weeks growth, prominent nose,
large head, and good, strong face gene
rally.
| That he was q man Of more than orGi.
uary iutelligence and respecta bility there
could be no miStaking. His clothing con-
sisted OF two white cotton oversbirts, with
ivory studs and wrist-buttons Of the same
material; two pairs Of white musEn draw
ers, gray and brown mixed cashmere pan
falcons, mixed tweed vest, black frock.
coat, white cotton socks, black cloth Ok
ford ties, low cut; light muslin necktie. 4
few matches were found in his pockets
Upon the buttons Of his coat and panta
looms was stamped the name of "s n. n
Rick, Demerara," which is probably tn,
trademark OF the manufacturer.
The most careful Investigation in tn,
vicinity OF where the body was found ha
failed~to throw any light upon the mystery
The taen who are employed thereabout
state that after midnight the place rs almos
deserted, and ever il q tragedy had takel
place thare are vey slim chances that an
one not actually ceeIcerned in it would b
likely tc know anything about it.
CORONER KILLERS VIEWS.
Deputy Coroner KILLER, after examining
the body at The MoS:ue, said: 81 have n
hesitation IN declaring it q suicide. or, Il
other words. that the man came to his deaf
bv drowning himself. He put the band
ares over his own eyes, tied the piece Q
cord, slipped his hamls into it behind hi
back, and dumped into the riv er. Vi cours
what part Of the river he went in at, an
the cause OF his wishing to die, we can onl
| get at on the inquest. have fo und nothn
| on the body tha. would guaran tee susp
cion that he had been murdered.
have only MADE casual ex animation
I.rhey wanted :to photograph the heao
and when that is done l Shal ] be abl
to tell whether the skull is fractured
The marks on the face are onl. sGeh Il
| are usually found on people that had die'
in the water. The holes were maGe b.
crabs, and there is aothng, in my opsEon
In the case that warrants any theory OF Vic
Ience. He may have been poiSone dyes
that is possible-but if he We're we b ave n
way OF ascertaining the fact. The L hstFic
Attorney would bave to give US MOI 1ey Z
perform the operations necessary to eX piea
that view OF the subject; but don't hif'
we shall want it. To be sure, suicides a!'
not common with these people, and thel e !
no doubt he is native Of South Amer ca
but we never know. There was SINH. a.
case not long since in France, and we hay
numbers OF others on record"
"Exactly like this!"
"Precisely, with the eyes blindiolded
and the hands tied just as they have been
with this man." t..
..Tben YOU think he tied them?"
"I do, as far as can see. The bandaging
and tving were removed when saw the
body, The hands were not tightly bound,
and the knot on the handkerchief was easily
opened" ,.y
Were the marks on the wrists heavy!>
"No; quite light, and only such as may
have come after DEATH"
"Of course you allow something 1or
shrinkage since he has been dead and In the
water?"
81 do something, but not great deal.
There has not been much. He has not been
in the water long,"
NOT LONG IN THE WATER.
"How long do you suppose?"
swell, certainly not over forty-eight
hours, but I am inclined to think he has not
been that time"
"What profession was he, do You
Think"
AZ should incline TO the belief that ne
was businessman. The clothing Is good,
but not new. 1t is foreign, too. The nands
are white, the nails we'll kept, and ne was
evidently O man OF some refinement"
"Intelligent, too?"
eyes, / have no doubt. The head 10
large, the forehead broad and high, and 10
far as I can say from hasty examination,
he vas q man Wh9 held o good position III