New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-27
rs THE BODY IDENTIFIEDq
FRANK ATWOOD IS VICTOR G. HERD1INe.
A NEW PROBLEM IN THE oRoToN LANDING
MYSTERY-Is THE ALLEGED Hus-
BAND INSANEf

MYSTERY-IS THE ALLEGED Hus
BAND INsANEf
There were sensational developments last night in
the mystery surrounding the case OF the young woman
who found in the Hudson River at Croton Landing
a week ago. The young man who described himself
as Frank Atwood, OF Philadelphia, and who identified
the body left Tarrytown late Thursday night accom-
panied by two constables. Chief Of Police Nossiter
sent the two constables TO New-York with Atwood
with instructions to that he returned TO Tsrrytown
In the morning. Atwood returned TO Tarrytown yes
terday morning accompanied by the two officers. and
he had his little girl with him. The child bears
resemblance to the dead woman
Coroner sutton holding INQUEST in the in
a parlor of the Baker House when Atwood and the Of
fcers arrived Before Atwood called a witness
he said that he had to TaFrytown to claim The
body, and would see to its burial. DR.. j. H. Her
man said that while examining the body he noticed
bruises on the left cheek These bruises he thought
were made before death.
At this, one of the jurymen asked DR.. Herman If
he was Of the opinion that the young woman met
foul play. The doctor replied that the bruises on
the face would lead 10 a suspicion of foul play. He
could not say how the bruises were produced, but
thought they might have been made by placing some
hard substance against the lower Jaw and then pressing
ON IT, DIR. Iierman's statement was not IN accord
with the statements of the doctors who made the
autopsy. Some of the iurymen polntedly remarked
that they thought another autopsy ought TO be made
Frank Atwood testified that he was salesman for
White, Post & Co., hardware dealers Of Cleveland
Ohio. lie said that he lived at No III Pinest,
Philadelphia. lie Identified the body that OF his
wife. lie recognized her by mole the back of her
neck and on her knee. Both OF these marks
were found on the body lie married the dead woman
in the fall Of 1885, at the Church OF the Holy Trans
fguration. Twenty third and sts. Philadelphia The
minister who married them was named Allen The
woman's maiden name was Purcell Marina. He knew
her but weeks when he married her. Had
never heard her speak OF her family, and did not know
whether her parents living not. He lived with
her about fourteen months, when she left him. She
had been away from him two years and six months.
lie only heard from her after she left him.
friend OF his, bartender. named Mcclure, wrote to
him. telling him that lie had seen his wife,
Atwood said that he born In Havre, France,
and had an uncle named Atwood living at No. 176
West Forty sccond-st NewYork proprietor Of the At
Wire Company lie said sister of his fathers,
a Mrs Bengall lived at No 100 East one hundredand
tenth-st New-York. Another sister was living IN
Yonkers. She married named Herdng. He
said his sister never his wife. His wife was an
educated women and could speak French and Italian
fuently She twenty-One years old.
Mt this point Coroner sutton, after conferring
briefly with his jury, suggested TO Atwood that he
80 TO NewYork and set some one who would identity
him as Frank Atwood. This produced mild sensa-
tion in the courtroom. Atwood seemed somewhat
amazed but decided TO act the coroners suGgeston
and went away accompanied by local officer.
Tie Coroner received word that the father and
mother and uncle of the man known as Atwood were
on their way to TarrytOwn from New-iOrk and would
make important statements The Coroner concluded
10 adjourn the inquest until AS p m. When the
was resumed at that the Coroner and his
Jury appeared somewhat excited. George p Herdling
and wife and MIR. Herdling's brother were present
When Atwood came in he did not notice Mr. and Mrs
IIerding and Mr.. Herdlings brother. The coroner at
once called him witness. ana asked him II nc had
found any one in NewYork who could Identify him as
Frank Atwood.
AT this point Atwood began TO turn pale ana IN
reply to the Coroner said. will tell you now hrst
as last will not answer any question Whatever
The Coroner then put number OF questions 10 Vle
witness and his stereotyped reply was Il refuse 10
ans~er." The Coroner then threatened to commit the
witness for contempt when he replied, All rght you
can do It, II you want to-"
ceorrs p HerdIng was then called and the Coroner
said to him. pointing to the young man who had Just
left the witness stand, " Do you know this man =!
Mr. Harding who seemed much agtated replied
Yes ne is NV son. His is Victor George
Hei1nng."
At this the Coroner said to the young man, VINO
stood almost motiOnless, with deathy pale race 10
YOU deny that this is your fatherI MI hefuhiis ,'
became excited and exclaimed, shaking ms niger AT Ills
son. DO you dare TO deny that am your father y
The young man hung his head and SAID No,
don't deny YOU You my father"
Mr. HerdIlng then went on with his testimony ana
said that his son left his home in Thirty ffthst.'
New York. Yesterday morning with his little girl lie
f. I'm the employ of the New York Central Railroad ana
is married. and the little girl with him is his daughter
Ills wife is alive and lives with him In Thirty -hhst
The witness could not tell why his son had acted so
strangely In this case, he had always HVeu ndppN
with his wife as far as the witness knew Inc VIII
ness said that his son had had trouble Win ms head
md had acted I'm d peculiar manner for several weeks
The witness said that his sons wife lah been hunn
worried because he had remained away WIN he emu
"a night lie said he knew man haineu fi"hA a, -
Nye, q who worked for him several years ago: nS
witlxs said that he the proprietor OF the OieS
States UoteI I'm York City. Ills son was m,iitle9
fonr ye,s ago lie was then nineteen years old, ana
married aLanst the wish OF his iathcI; inc Witneee
lad not bee on the best OF terms WIN MS son sh0e
Mrs. Louise Yerdling. wife OF the previous WIZ
Hess identified thc yCrng man known as ATWOOD as
her son She tOrrAborated the testimony OF ner nus
band . .. , hv
Coroner Sutton then had the testimony given bS
vounr Atwood or He ding read. Tho coroner asked
linn II his testimony true. His only reply was
the testimony The oornner then told him he would
have 10 commit him until todsy 10 consider whether
he would hold him or not. YOU erdling was takcii
into custody by Chief OF Police Nossiter and loCkcd
up. As he left the room p"isonei Young Herdihg
did not say anything 10 his father or lrOther.
The inquest adjourned until TIN, afternoon az
O'Clock, when Herdling's wife will be present 10
identity him.
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
Misc AGNES Huntington will come u America next