Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-08-11
A PINKERTON DETECTIVE.
BY A. III. MODRICKER.

BY "A. Ii. MODRIChENs
In the fall and winter of so and 81,
while acting on the Pinkerton force de-
tailed in New Orleans, 1 met with one
of the most interesting cases that ever
came in my way during long and
arduotis career as a detective. L had
been in the Gulf City some three weeks,
especially employed in tracking some
forgers who We're supposed to have
harbored there after a successful season
in the East, when one morn
ing the papers announced that
terrible murder had been
committed in the suburbs. Two young
men, on their way to work, just after
sunrise discovered the body of a young
woman, notwithstanding the bruised and
distorted condition OF her features, a
strikingly beautiful girl in life.
The lifeless body lay upon its back
with not particle of attire disturbed.
The papers went on to state that the
cause of death was not apparent to one
casting hasty glance, but upon closer
inspection the handle of a dagger
was visible, the deadly weapon having
been thrust in near the back on the
left side. Within the right hand was
clutched a small piece of kid as
though torn in the struggle of death
from the assailant's hand.
Within hundred yards from where
the body lay was a rustic bridge sur
rounded on all sides by shrubs and
bushes of considerable growth. From
the condition of the soil beneath this
bridge it was apparent that the struggle
had begun there, and its final termina-
ton had taken place where the body
was found Further than this nothing
was known. Of course l was interested,
and 1 determined to do the best could
towards unraveling the mystery. Visit
ing the scene of the crime, the only
thing of note 1 discovered, in addi-
ton to those already stated, was the
finding of brass heel-plate stained
with blood, such as are worn
by women who affect high-heeled shoes,
and wear this heel protection to pre-
vent the running over of the heels. This
had been unnoticed, but I placed the
trife in my pocket, at least for safe
keeping. By further inquiry I elected
the fact that no heel-plate was missing
from the dead woman's shoe; also that
the young woman was stranger in the
neighborhood, at least so far as her
name and abode were concerned. Sew
eral persons had, however, seen her in
company on one or two occasions with q
young woman. While was investigat-
ing at the scene of the murder, Station
Agent Root came forward with the
statement that on the previous evening,
the night of the murder, at half past
nine, young man had nervously
asked concerning the earliest trains that
left his station for Manchoc. As this
form of questioning was customary it
would not have excited his attention,
let alone his curiosity, had not the
young man cautiously hidden his face
by wearing the collar of his coat turned
up and his SLOUGH hat pulled down well
over his brow. Further than this the
agent knew nothing, save that he was
able to give very accurate description
of the young man. Of course, I made
careful notes Of the description of the
young person.
The foregoing, together with the re
suit of the physicians examination
namely, that the young woman had been
outraged previous to her death-were
the only important facts laid bare by
the investigation. That same day de.
termined on the following up of the
young man so cleverly described by the
railway agent.
1 found him to be one Eugene Yer.
der, rather reckless son of very re.
spectacle parents, living in the eastern
part of the city. When 1 arrested him
on suspicion he disclaimed all knowl.
edge of the murder. Confronted by the
agent, the latter Immediately recognized
him as "the nervous stranger" of the
night of the murder.
When questioned further Eugene
Verder said that he had gone to Man
choc on the night of the murder on 8
matter of business, but Just what tina,
. business was he declined to say. Inov
decided on q bold move. CONDUCTING
the prisoner to where the body of thu
dead girl had been conveyed, and tn,
= undertaken having quickly exposed tn,
face Of the unfortunate victim, Eugen,