Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-11


New Yors, Nov. $50 unravel the |
tangled sain OF one Of the most mys-
,terious u we'll as heinous, crimes of
the century is the task set for jury in
the Que,ns county Court of Oyer aud
1erminT, mt Long Isnnd City. The
case officially known 6s the people vs..
Marlin Thorn, Ia based upon the dis.
coverY in June last, in the East River
aud 10 the Ogdens woods, north of this
city, Of portions Of human body. the
Only part of which was missing being
the head. By series Of curious links
in chain of circumRtaniial evidence
the dismembered remains have been
identified by number Of witnesses az
portions Of tho body Of William Guldsn.
suppe. rubber in Turkish bath
house In this city. Guldensupps had
not bean at his work for eeveral days
before the CHASTITY discoveries of his
supposed remains. nor has he been seen
since that time unless, aH is alleged, it
was in Germany by a certain Carl
Peterson, OF whom none appear TO
know except counsel for the man who
was put on Irial to-day for having com
mitted the murder of the missing man.
The identity OF the corpse heing cnu-
coded, the next thing 10 be done was
10 look up Guldensuppe's connections,
and from them ascertain possible
motive for the murder. Ii was easily
ascaFtaned that no had lived on terma
OF intimacy with Mrs Augusta Mack.
a midwife, but that some time before
the disappearance of Gudensuppv the
pair had quarreled and, in the womau's
flut, Guldensuppe had fought with and
bsaten the man VINO bad supplanteh
him 10 his mistress affections, Martin
Thorn, a barber, who, smartiDg under
The beating he had received, was OVER
henrd to threaten to get even with
Guldensuppe.
Briefly. it ia alleged that Mrs. Mack
lured Guldensnppe TO cottage Mt
Woodaide. l.. L., where she said she
was about to establish baby farm -
that in room in that cottage Thorn
waylaid and shot Guldensuppe, after
wards ssvering his head and damem-
herring bis corpse; that the fragments
OF the body were then disposed of where
they were found, and that the head,
encased in plaster of paris, was given
10 Thorn's brother-in law, who dropped
it into the ocean from fishing steamer.
In the trial OF this case Judge Wilmot
M. Smith will preside. DiAtrict Attor-
ney YouDgs will conduct the prosecu-
tiou, aaBiatad by ex-Surrogate August
N. Weller and Assistant District Attor.
ney George W. Davidson. William f.
Howe and Joseph Moss will defend
Thorn. whose trial will preceds that OF
Mrs. Mack, and Emanuel Friend and
W. II. Hirsch will attend as counsel
for tho woman.
Thorn was told to stand up, and did
so. All eyes were riseted on him, and,
ma the clerk explained to him ms right
isnll r.
iuoned to try him, he bent forward,
listening TO every word. When the
clerk had finished. the prisoner inclined
his head slightly and sat down.
New York, Nov. 9.--Wben court con.
vened. to-day, District Attorney Youngu
opened for the prosecution. He recited
the story OF the alleged murder OF Will
liam Guldensuppe the finding of rhs
dismembered cor psa believed 10 he that
of Gnldensuppe and all the incidents
often related in connected With the
case. which from the chain OF evidence
upon which tho State expects to obtain
the conviction of Thorn and, later, that
of his alleged accomplish. Mrs. Mack.
Mr. Youngs occupied IS minutes in his
opening address, and. during the entire
time, Thorn kent bis eyes fixed stendily
on the prosecutor, but his face did not
betray the slightest emotion.
Lawyer Howe requested the court to
exclude all the witnesses in the case
from the court room with the excep-
tion Of the medical experts. The court
so ordered, and tha witnesses were con.
Quoted to the jury room.
The first witness called was John
Mcclure, who was Unv Of the two lads
who, while bathing in this East River
at the foot OF Eleventh street, found
the upper portion of the body said to
he that OF Guldensuppe. McGuire
identified the piece OF oil cloth pro.
duced in court, and also a photograph
of the upper portion Of the body. These
were marked for Identification. lie
was not cross-examined.
James McKenua. who was M cGuire'f
companion, corroborated Mcclure in
every detail, and also identified the oil
cloth and photograph. He also was
permitted to leave the witness chair
without being CROSS Questioned.
New York, Nov. 10. "A great senaa
tion was created to-. day, when the read
ing public was informed through thu
newspapers that Mrs. Augusta Mach
had turned States evidence and, in {
confession which she made through be,
lawyer, Emanuel Friend, for the beneii
of the prosecution. had fastened the
crime of a horrible murder and thu
subsequent mutilation of the hndy o
the victim on her lover, Martin Thorn
Since the trial began on Monday last
10 the Queens County Court House. thu
lawyers for the defence of Thorn hnv,
worked earnestly in his behalf. and Il
svery one they said that they we're con
fident of establishing their clients in
nocence.
At an early hour this morning thu
Court House in Long Island City tool
on 40 animated appearance. Dozens O
newspaper reporters fitted out and in
trying to get6ome tangible information
from any one who might have tn
sligheat chance OF hearing a word from
either of the accused prisoners. Al
attempts to gain admittance to th
prison proved futile, and, as neithe
Sheriff Don't nor District Attorne
Youngs was 10 the neighborhood, Their
was no chance of getting a permit
enter the Jail. Lawyer William +
Howe arrived at the Court House a
S.45 o'clock. He was met at the en-
trance by a representative of the Asso
ciated Press.
SIS it a fact. Mr.. Howe, that Mrs
Mack has made a confession?" no wa
asked.
II don't know" he replied with
shake of his massive frame. Then b
continued: "All do know ia the new