Wichita eagle., 1888-12-27

PHILADELPHIA. Pa. Dec. IA party OF
boys, while playing in East Paramount
park today, found two bundles III the small
lake there. In a spirit of curiosity one OF
the boys cut the string of one Of the bum
dies and was Mortified when human head
rolled out The police were at once notl-
fed and further investigation developed
the fact that the bundle first opened also
contained the dismembered trunk of
human BODY. The other bundle, on being
opened, disclosed the nude legs belonging to
the trunk found in the other package. Ey-
identity a most horrible murder had been
committed and the condition OF the re-
mains indicated that the deed had been
done within twenty-four hours of the find
ing of the remains The legs had been cut
off close to the trunk, the left leg having
been cut with a sharp knife and the bone
sawed through. The other leg was like
wise cut and after the bone had been part
" sawed it was broken off. The legs were
entirely nude. On the trunk were three
shirts, the outer one being made of dark
flannel A leather strap was around the
waist
The arms were not severed from the
body, but were tied in front at the wrists
with a stout cord The head was crushed
in horribly at the back, and there were
three terrible knife wounds ON the side of
the face The left jaw was also broken.
The body is evidently that of German,
probably about 80 years of age. Near the
place were the bundles were placed was
found a portion of a newspaper dated
December ), the appearance of which indi-
rated that it had been used for the pur-
pose of wiping UP blood. On the margin
Of the paper was written IN English, the
writing being evidently that of a German,
The words, 81. l.. Kohler Helabs HOboken
hotel" and right under this Mrs" re
peated several times.
A portion of another newspaper stained
with blood was also found. There are
wagon tracks all around the spot, but the
police are of the opinion that they were
made by wagons hauling material used on
The reservoir One of the tracks, however
appears to have been made by a wheel bar
row, and those investigating the case are
hopeful that this may prove a clue TO aid |
hem in unwilling the mystery which now
surrounds the crime. Last night a gard |
ner living on the border of the park. near |
where the remains were found, was awak- |
ened by the furious barking of his dogs. |
He seized his revolver and ran out of doors |
He saw an object moving from the direc- |
tioh of the park and hailed it. Receiving |
no reply he attempted TO fire his !
revolver hut the weapon would not go off. /
lie went to the Reservoir hotel, situated at |
he Columbia avenue entrance to the park, |
and told the proprietor, John Ernest, who |
slso went out into the darkness and saw /
man walking from the direction of the |
reservoir. He called TO the man to halt, |
but his command received no attention |
and the mysterious visitor disappeared in
the darkness. The spot where the CHASTITY |
remains were found is very lonely one |
and at this season of the year is seldom |
visited by any one The police therefore |
think the party or parties seen by Ernest |
and the gardener are connected with the !
crime. The chief of the detectives is work |
ing on the case, assisted by some of his |
best men.