Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-04
DID NOT DIE
BY DROWNING
Physicians Who Made the Post
Mortem Say That Mrs. Stan
ley Tachton's Death Was
Caused by Violence.
NO WATER IN HER LUNGS
Suspicion That She Was Killed and That
Her Body Was Put in the Race.
THE POLICE OFFICERS RETICENT
Public Interest In the Mystery
increasing.
NO WATER IN Her LUNGS
Suspicion That She Was Killed and That
Her Body Was Put In the Race.
THE POLICE OFFICERS RETICENT
Public Interest In the Mystery
increasing.

IuebUhy morning hJ H. - CLOCK as
Elmer Thompson, an omploye of the
Wilmington City Electric Co.. was
approaching the Market street bridge
over tho Brandywine, he glanced into
the race and was startled TO SEQ q
woman's shue protruding from tho
water directly in front of the overflow
gatea of the race.
liz at onco made an investigation and
found body fastened under the gates.
lie hurried to tho city pumping station
at tie foot of French street and notified
employees of the wator department there.
Deputy Coroner Chandler was also noti-
fled and 5000 arrived. When he reached
the scene the body had been taken from
Che water and it was then removed to
she deputy coroner's Office.
How long tho body had been In tho
water ID not known, but it had evil
entity been there for two days. Tho
ace was livid and on the right sido
Sas u confusion as large as mans
fist, which might have been cauRed by
continuous striking OF tho head against
the stone work surrounding the gate.
The eyes we're badly swollen and there
we're marks extending from the right
cheek to the contre of the forehead as
though the head had been crushed
badly bruised from the waist upward.
The body was well dressed and gold
watch and chain, pair Of diamond
earrings, two finger rings aud Sill. Sc
in money were found. small tin.type
photograph OF group of young ladies
was also found. On the watch wero
the initials IF. P'
The face was so badly distorted that
it was almost impossible to recognize
tho features, but from the tin type
and the initials on the watch Police
Captain Kane concluded that the body
was that of Mrs. Stanley Tuchton. Mr..
Tuchton was notified and went to the
morguo and identified the body. He
was greatly agitated and it was with
difficulty he told his story TO tho police.
From the story told by Mr.. Tuchton
he and the dead woman, whose maiden
name was Fanny Peacock, were married
in Camden, N. j.. in juno last by the
Rev. Mr.. Burrell. They did not go to
housekeeping at once but secured rooms
removed to Philadelphia and secured
rooms with Mrs Biddeman on Thomp-
son street.
Mr., Tuchton is employed by his
father in barrel making in this city.
but visited his young wife regularly.
They had contemplated going to
housekeeping in this city in tho near
future at No. 7l3 Tatnall street and on
Thursday last Mrs. Tuchton visited
this city to complete the arrangements
Thas evening her husband accompanied
her to the train, when she handed hi m
quantity Of money which he had sent
her saying: Stanley, you take this,
you'll need it more than l will. He
thought nothing Of the remark at the
time and bid her an uffeotionato good
ny. That WAS the last he saw of her
until the body was found.
On Sunday he learned that she was
missing from her homo in Philadelphia.
dc was greatly troubled on learning
this and began an investigation. lie
could learn nothing of her whereabouts
until this morning.
Authorities are of tho opinion that
it is case Of suicide, as the young
lady, although usually of a sunny dis
position, was subject TO periods Of des
nondency. Previous to her marriage il
is said that she. believing her presence
at her aunP6 house was Objectionable
to the family, had several times talked
ofsuicido, but no one took the remarks
seriously.
Since tho body has been found the
police have been told story TO tho
effect that u young couple, while pass.
ing over Washington street bridge on
Sunday night saw what they supposed
to be the body of a man disappearing
over tho side OF the bridge directly
over the race. The young man started
to investigate, when his com
pnnion, overcome by fright, tainted.
The young man turned his attention tC
hiu md aft oh o.,;. "a
accompanied her home. Since then be
has told his story to several friends.
From Yesterdays Eyory Evening.
Mrs. Stanley Turhton did not die by
drowning. Such is the decision of the
phyaicianH who MAIDS the post morton
on hor bruised body They reached
this decision from the fact that nc
water was found in the lungs. Further
than that they agree that her death
was due to violence and that she was
dead whom Hhs reached the water.
mat being true it is q positive
Inference that she did not commit
suicide And if ahe did not commi
suicide she was murdered. Ii IL a cast
calling for the best efforts of this poic.
authorities to ferrst to tho utmost every
ciue that may lead to the clearing vi
sbhpou Itubu.
Mrs. Tuchton's body was found in
the south long race at the wastegats.
near MARKET street, yesterday morning
about 1920 o'clnGk. 1t had probabl,
been at the gates but short tinit
because at Z O'Clock that moi ninl
Inspector Mcdowell had gone to tn,
gates as usual and had cleared away th,
leaves which had caught to the Ion.
log that lies !diagonally across the race
lie says the budy was not there then.
Ii, as ia supposed. the botiy entered
the water Inst saturday night neal
Washington street bridge, ii must hav,
been logged against some obstruction
for much OF the intervening time befor,
it was found. The fact that money ant
Jeweiry were found upon the body indI
cafes that robbery could have had nj
part In the mutivs for the crime, an,
some other motive must needs BIO fixet
upon in accounting for her murder.
Great public interest has been excitet
by the mystery. Part Of this intefss