The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-08-22
FOURTH EDITION
STILL A MYSTERY.

no Clue TO the Identity OF inc nHh
Who Was Found Dead on the New
Castle Road or How He Came to His
Death.
The mystery which surrounds the
identity and manner OF death OF the
man whose body was found at an
early hour yesterday morning, on the
causeway, near the w. d n. railroad is
still as deep az ever, and the officers
have failed to find single clue which
will assist them In obtaining the facts.
A diligent search was made yesterday
for the pistol with which the deed was
committed, but without avail. A col
ored man was employed to wade the
ditch, and 1t Is now certain that the
weapon is not there.
The detectives also searched the
ground for some distance, but failed
to find the missing weapon. This fact
leads many to suppose that the man
was murdered still 1t is possible that
the pistol was picked up by some pas
ser by who supposed as several did
who saw tho body that the man was
drunk.
William White milk man who re-
sides on the John Griffith farm back of
tine Lobdell Car Wheel Works, passed
the place whore the man was lying
about 4.30 O'Clock, and says he was ly-
ing on his left side with his head to-
ward Wilmington. The face was turn
ed toward the ditch and partly covered
with q straw hat.
After delivering the milk White re-
turned at about $50 O'Clock. He eS-
nmined the body and found that tho
hands were cold He threw back the
coat and vest and the breast was found
to be slightly warm. White returned
to his home and after taking some
cans from the wagon started for this
city to notify the coroner.
Meanwhile five negroes employed
on Whites farm came along the road
and saw the body Teey looked at it
and at once concluded that it was that
of dead man.
One oil the colored men came to
this city and notified the coroner.
James Gregg, atrucler, also saw the
| body as he was coming into tho mar
ket with u load of produce. Just as
MIR, Gregg drove on the causeway
l,from the Hare's Corner road, he met a
stability dressed man who walked up
to his horse laid his hand on he shaft,
| of the wagon. Gregg stopped his
| wanted, when he inquired the short
est road to New Castle. Mr.. Gregg
directed him when tho fellow mnttered
something in an under tone and dash
ed away from the wagon. He leaped
over fence and ran rapidly across
! the field In the direction OF New Cas-,
| tie. He appeared nervous and appar-
emily used every precaution to pre-
vent Gregg from seeingIhis face. Gregg
was somewhat frightened at the time
and says that he paid but little atten-
ton to the man or his clothing.
He had driven but short distance
when he saw the body of man lying
on the ground and called to him from
his wagon to get up. Finding that he
did not heed him. he stood on the wa
gon shaft, and called in louder tone.
While in this position he saw pool
| OF blood near the mans body, and
supposing something WAS wrong got
| back in his wagon, and drove to this
city where he notified police officer.
The State and City detectives have
been working on the case and arc un,
der the impression that the man was
murdered, but the probabilities are
that he committed suicide There had
evidently been name IN the hat whlct
was torn out, as ii might lead to his
Identification. The deceased was from
% to % years OF age, with dark curly
hair, and cleanly shaver.
The mans clothes would indieutC
that he was anything but tramp
They are OF a dark color and he @ort
maeimw straw hat, with new higf
collar and pair of cuffs. The eolIal
was fastened by II gold clAsp colla
button and the cnif buttons are of golt
neatly engraved but contain no initijt
or marks to identity him.
A postInortem examination was halt
by Dr. Smith and DR.. Fahey yesteria.
afternoon,
/ This disclosed the fact that II he kill
ed himself he must have held the pistu
in his LETT hand as the ball after pass
, ing between the fifth and sixth rits
went directly through the heart, an,
J penetrating both lungs, struck tn
tenth rib on the right side u!Id thaf.
! lodged. The rib was shattered ant
the ball was lodged close TO it, 1t wa
cut out and found to he hadly out o
i shape, which Is accounted Tor by TIL
fact OF striking the rib.
! The heart was almost severed Il
!. two, Tia lungs We're cut aud larg
ciois Of blood were around the lotalitt
l death and a painless one. The bulle
) was preserysl ana eXkibitod To TIL
: Jury ut Lhe inquest last evening.
an inquest was hold last evening
wien the above facts were shown b
t tilr witnesses, after which the jury ad
| iau4oj until Monday evening. IL i
| however probable that nothing fta
. Their will be learned oil the case. Iii
; detectives with the police officers arr
{ doing everything i'll their power t,
/ throw some light upon tie matter.
( No adnlieration or substitution a