The herald., 1896-04-01
A MURDER MYSTERY SOLVED
THE CHICAGO BOXHD.UP BODY IS POSI-.
lively IDENTIFIED
The Corpse Of Joanes Prosper chazsi by q
Process Of Fatty Degeneration Turned to
Adipocsre, Rendering Recognition Possible
After Three Years Time
A.sociated Press special Wire.

Associated Press special Wire.
CHICAGO, March 31.--The mysterious
body in the box has been positively id6nti.
fled as that of Prosper Chazal, the identi.
fication being made possible by phe-
nomenon so rare in medical annals that
it's occurrence under the present circcm-
stances is looked upon by physicians as
almost miracle. The phenomenon re-
ferred to is the formation of adipocere, or
corpse wax, which in this instance has
formed in large quantities and has par
TALLY preserved the body to such an extent
that what under ordinary conditions would
have been formless mass of decay can
be recognized by we'll known marks as the
body of Joanes Prosper Chazal, murdered
in salt Lake City three years ago, it is
claimed, by man known to the French
population of that city as Jules LAssas-
sin.
The formation of corpse wax is rare
under any circumstances and science af-
fords little or 10 explanation of it's cause.
In the case of the body in the trunk ma
ture's forces have operated under condI-
tions which seemed to make its occurrence
impossible.
The body was enclosed in zinc box,
placed in a trunk and the trunk in turn
was packed in a drygoods case, being COM
pletely surrounded by sawdust, which
must have absorbed any moisture which
came out of it. The case and it's contents
after arriving in Chicago was deposited in
dry warehouse, where it remained uudis-
turbed for three years. Nevertheless,
there is no longer room for much doubt as
tn the manner in which Cha2al met his
death. Henry Devere and Bas Marcel, two
of his Salt Lake friends now in this city.
told this afternoon what they believe is the
whole story. According to them Chazal
plot to rob and murder him. He was de-
coyed and murdered by Jules fAssassin
and his mistress. Jules was Frenchman
and had earned his title before he came to
America. He and his paramour disap-
peared shortly after Chazal's disappear
were in Caracas, Venuezuela. Cha1al
disappeared in February of 1898.
He left the house to 60 to the safety de-
posit vault and get his diamonds. These
were quite valuable, and he remarked as
he went out that he had accidentally
a good price for the gems. He never re-
turned. A friend of Marcel was sent few
days ago to Salt Lake, and the safety de-
post vault where tho diamonds we're
known to have been kept was opened,
The jewels were gone, but there remained
Louis dor souvenir piece which had been
presented to Chazal by Marcel. Appar-
ently the young Frenchman had gone, to
the vault and secured his diamonds. He
went TO the address OF his prospective pur-
chaser. He fell into the trap which had
been carefully laid, and was added to the
victims of Jules PAssassiu.
When the fatal trunk was once dis
patched, the murderer and his mistress
lost no time in fleeing from the country.
No trace of them was found, except the
far-away report from Caracas, Venezuela.
Gradually the details and circumstantial
evidence has been piecing out the story.
The last step in completing the chain was
trIy Ill
sent to the mother of Joanes Chazal in
Paris. inquiring on which side OF the body
the hernia for which the truss was worn
was located. This information is in the
hands of the physicians here, and all that
is needed is the confederation of the
mother. The wonderful preservation of
the muscular integuments by the forma.
ton of adipocere, makes possible deter
ination of the location of the rup-
ture with an eXactness extending to the
smallest anatomical detail, notwithstand-
ing the body had lain dead for three years.
In addition. there are the small, regular,
perfect teeth; the unusually long legs, the
long arms, the noticeably large hands and
feet, and over the whole body the symmet-
rical muscular development of Chazal,
whom his friends now here had first known
in France and later in Salt Lake City.
Now the police are asking themselves if
the second box addressed to G. Nj. Morgan
body of q murdered man, and if the assas-
sin returned from Caracas to add another
to his list of victims.
TOO MUCH IDENTIFICATION
CHICAGO. March 31.-The body of the
man found in a box sold at auction in this
city last week has been identified too
much, and there are signs of trouble before
the matter is finally adjusted. The body
has been positively identified as that of
Oliver Pike of Ohio and il has been iCenti.
fed as that of Prosper Chazal of France.
The coroner's jury, however, has decided
in favor of the Ohio man and made official
declaration that the body is that of Oliver
Pike and none other.
William Doriot, an uncle of Pike, posi-
lively identified Pike at the inquest today
as that of his nerhew, and the Frenchmen.
who also testified, were equally positive.
When the verdict was given turning over
the corpse to Mr.. Doriot, As that Of Oliver
Pike the Frenchmen were full Of wrath.
They declared over and over that the body
was that of Chazal. They left declaring
they would see the French consul. Mr..
Doriot will take the body to Fayette, O.,