Evening star., 1898-12-28
PROBING ~ MYSTERY.
Authorities at SurrattsvilIe Investi-
eating Joseph Mulliken's Death.

A jury, sitting at Surrattsville. Prince
Georges county, Md, assisted by the
county authorities in that neighborhood
is endeayoring to- decide how young joseph
Mullikin came to his tragic death Christ
mas night. about 111 O'Clock. About that
hour Philip Miller of Surrattsville came out
of his house and stood awhile talking to. a
friend near the. roadside. A horse attached
10 a dog cart came running up the road
anu seeing something was wrong. Miller ran
ana stopped the animal NIhe~7 apparently
dead body of Mulikfn was found inside
the little vehicle. in what is now regarded
by many as a posture indicative of some
thlng more than case of death by acci-
dent DIR. w. ". Warren was hurriedly
summoned, hut pronounced life to be ex-
urlct when he arrived.
When found the body was lying on the
bottom of the cart face downward. The
head was projecting for some distance over
the front OF the dog cart, between the left
front wheel and the shaft, and the spokes
OF the former. as the wheel made its revo-
lutions, had cut the left cheek and the left
side of the mans head in a terrible man
ner, the ear on that side being torn off
one OF the dead mans hands-the left
was hooked under the small railing about
the seat, and the other was secured in
like manner about the Swngle-tree over
the dashboard. His derby hat was covered
up by the robe, and the reins lay beneath
him. 1t is this seemingly suspicious hook
mentioned that has aroused SO much COM
ment, it being regarded by some as a very
unlikely attitude for the body to be in
less fixed so by somebody. If he became ill,
his friends say, and leaned forward, if
he was thrown forward by a sudden start
of his horse, which is admitted to be frac-
tious, they cannot conceive how, even if
he struggled he could place his body in the
position ii was in when found.
Young Mullikn lived at Surrattsville with
his parents. He was the youngest son and
unmarried, being twenty years of age He
spent Christmas eve and Christmas day up
to o'clock in the afternoon with his
brother, James Mullikin of Congress
Heights an employe of St. EliZabeth's Asy-
lum 1t is said wher the young man left
Congress Heights at the time mentioned,
he was sober. Levi Cox, friend, accom-
panied him in the cart. The two stopped
it is learned, at the houses of several
friends along the way, but, it is again
stated Mullikin drank nothing, or. at least,
was certainly not under the influence of
liquor.
Cox left the cart at Grimes cross roads
Mullikin was then still several miles from
home. Cox is supposed to be the last per-
son who saw him alive, with the possible
exception of assailants.
1t is stated the young man had no enc
mics in the county. The doctor was, 1t is
said, unable to find any bruises or fractures
Of the skull. Those who believe in the foul
play theory say that he may have been
knocked insensible at blow and then
placed in the dog cart in the way he was
found In order to complete the work, or
that his assailants may have become fright
ened, and thought it best to let the horse
carry him home in an insensibie condition.
The jury met Monday and yesterday and
heard a number of witnesses, bringing out
the facts stated. The jury adjourned until
tomorrow, in order to allow further inves-
tigation.
The rer.ains of the deceased were in
tered yesterday. - III