The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-04
HIS NAME WAS JAS. WOOD,
THE CORPSE FOUND NEAR HIND.
MANS FERRY IDENTIFIED
His Baggage Traced to Kansas City and
Brought Back Here--He Was q
Stone Mason His Mind Deranged.

r The mystery surrounding the direc
cause OF the death of the old man whose
body was found In Wolf river bottom4
about half mile from Hindman's ferry
on Thursday morning last, and as to hov
came the body there, Is yet unsolved. Til
only progress made in the case yesterda
and most probably all that will be mad
wss the establishment Of the dead man
identity. This was done by means OF d.
baggage check No. ia over the Kansac
City railroad, found in his pocket. Actin
Coroner John ]. Barry sent the check ~
Kansas City, where the baggage had becn
shipped, and yesterday the baggage, con-
sisting solely Of plain, cheap woodon
trunk, was sent back here. The trunk
was securely corded by stout rope, and
on one end Of 1t was an apparently ircshl
written card bearing these words: "Inman
Line, steerage passage" The lock OF tho
trunk was forced apart and an invesiiga-
ton OF the contents made. The first and
most anxious search was made for the
name OF the dead owner. This was soon
found written in several books TO 10
James Wood. In small and time worn
diary, written in lead pencil, was found a
memorandum stating that he had left
Carlinglord, county louth, Ireland, July
20, 1878. All through this little diary was
the name James Wood. On the first or
second page was this writing: "Ihis isl
10 certify that /, James Wood, will not'
give my money to the priest, but TO my
sister, Mary Wood" There were sever1>
pages OF this note, but II was so blurred rs
TO DO altogether illegiblc. The clothing
and other contents OF the trunk showed
that Wood had been stone mason. There|
were several trowels and a pair OF hob
nail shoes. The apparel had been woru
and was OF the coarsest quality. The ago
victim had certainly been devoted Cath
Ollie, judging from the number OF religioW
books in the trunk. Most OF them wer>
testaments and prayer books. In one
the books was printed card OF membo
ship to the Friendly Society Of Ston
Masons, dated Durham, Eng, Dccembc<
20, 1874, and signed Timothy Blalkelyl
president. There was also card Of adj
mission to the free dispensary OF the Az
bany, n. ", hospital, signed by Halcs
M. b. /
In another portion OF the diary wa
Niltltil ttlt III
1921 Pacific street. near LcaycnwortM
street, San Francisco, Cal. On anotlicI
page was the address OF l.. Riley, Chess
street, Durham, Eng. Another page Co.
tanned the note that he had como 20 IT,
land on July ., 1879 Arrived at Dublin
worked six days, went 10 Balbrigan, d
manned few days and then went 10 IN
fast. There were many other nau
and addresses OF persons in the dia
page or more Of names
men who had worked for H..
The mention OF receipt OF money, alw ~
Of English denominations, and other da{1
but being poorly written with lead penc1I
had been worn so M 10 render n corrd<1
reading OF thom impossible. Squire Lao.
~ will retain The trunk, and write at ono
10 the addresses given in the diary.
In regard 10 the $3.50 in English soyer@
eigns found In tho clothing OF the dead
man by Mr.. Curtis, the omploye OF Under
takor Walsh, and which for a time there
seemed likely 10 be controversy about.
the rightlul possession OF IL, Us between
Squire Barry aud the undertaken, II wa3
satisfactorily settled yesterday, when the
uudertaker, through his attorney, Con.
Wright, turned the money over 10 Squire
Barry, who IN turn delivered il into tho
hands OF County Trustee Harris
II IN most likely that the dead man had
been 10 Ireland, and was on his return 10
San Francisco. II was ascertained yoster-
day that he came In on the Memphis &
Charleston road, and was seen and talked
10 by tho transfer agent Wood was evil
IDENTIFY suffering from mental arrangement.
as he asked theagont where the ship land
ing was here, and being told that there
was none. contendcd that he knew very
well there was, and he would find H. This
ended the conversation between him and
the agent Il u also quite certain from tho
description given that he was tho same old
man who stopped at tho residence Of Mr..
Buney. two miles distant from the city
and in tho direction Of where the body
was found, and asked for glass OF milk.
When the glass Of milk was kindly handed
him by one Of the ladies', he started OF
with Il, after Offering 80 cents In payment,
which was refused. lilo was called back
and the milk poured In n bucket, which
the lady told him lac could return or not,
M he chose. lie went 10 the yard gate.
sat down, drank the milk, left the bucket
and went on his way. That Is the last seen
Of him alive No far M can be learned. Ills
death, and the condition OF his body and
clothing at tho time IL certainly a mys-
terry tint II would he well for the officials