New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-12
THE NIAGARA FALLS MYSTERY.
VARIOUS THEORIES CONCERNING IT.
PEARSON AND yEDDER BOTH BtAMFD-wIiI DID |
THEY GO To LUNA ISLANDf
Try TELEGRAPH TO The TRBUSE.l


BUFFALO, April IL. - The excitement over
the Pearson Vedder tragedy Niagara Falls s undated
Since the first report of the affair hundreds OF people
viewed the spot where Pearsons body was found,
counted the blood stains the Ice, and scanned the
footsteps the brink which supposed to have been
made by the missing Vedder The deeper the affair is in
vestigaed the mysterious It appears. PearsOn's
family had discussed the proprey Of putting him In some
home, and asylum proper. Thomas Vedder was
to pay the expenses, and do everything possible for
the unfortunate man.
1t the theory many that for the purpose of having
quiet talk. Mr. Vedder invited Pearson 10 ride HIS
object was mainly TO ascertain to what extent Pear
sons mind was unbalanced. Why they went to Goat
Island not as strange is the fact Of their going TO
Luna Island which is desOlae place at this season OF
the year, and especially in the evening. some
persons advance the theory that Pearson
being insane might have srangled VeddeF before the
horse was tied and then got possession of the revolver
which Mr. Vedder had; and that, after removing the
outer clothing from the body TO make 1t appear IKE
suicide he threw the body into the river and then shot
himself But the revolver being gone, and the position
Of the bullehoes explode this theory 1t has
also suggested that perhaps both committed suicide
as Mr. Veddcr also had been In poor health for some
time; but those who knew him discredit the
statement. AGAIN It ia argued that when they were
on Luna Island alteration probably took place
I'm which Mr. Vedder became suddenly Tazed with anger
and fired the fatal shot and aferwardy hlled WIN re-
ed into the river. But those who are acquainted win MI
Yedder know him 10 have been remarKaoy amltDe'
quiet gentleman, who avoided quarrels and was pdrtcu
larly friendly toward Pearson
Another theory that Vedtrr killed Pearson dellber
atey purpose of financial that he TOOK
ms clothes and made tracks the bank for blind
and then fed TO parts unknown No one believes that
any else was implicated in the crime. Nothing was
stolen apparently. The cold fact remains that Pearson
was shot and Vedders clothes were found.
Yedder was supposed to have property valued
at 100000 and W shTewd hnancier.
PEARSON MAY HAVE KILLED HIMSELF.
Coroner Elsheimer began the inquest this morning.
The attendance small and at the beginning none OF
the relatives present. Messrs Highland YoumaHs,
Martin Peareon the murdered and Dr. Lang,
OF Suspension Bridge we're successfully sworn.
Dr. Lang said there gunshOt wounds, pass
ing through the the other through the face and skull
one passing from right side and back OF the neck on
the level with the lower end OF the ear went forward
slightly downward. making it, exit beneath the laWbone
the left side about and half inches LETT OF the cbn
This was two inches behind the tip OF the right ear.
Toward the back OF the neck at the entrance or the
wound, there powder marks. The hair was NOT
singed neither was the skin burned. The other wound
commenced one aud quarter inches in front OF the left
passing level slightly backward making us exit
behind the right ear about its middle. Atthe entrance
the SKIN and whiskers burned and powder
was blown into the tissues, the course OF that
be possible for "A to nnic both wounds on himself
One might not have produced insensiblty, ana qe-
termined man might have fired the second shot lie
could not have prOwn the revolver after rng the two
shots Had the neck wound been inflicted first 1t would
have possible for the to nlc the Otner wounds
but death n this case was evidently Instantaneous"
The jury continued p session all day without gaining
any fresh facts.