The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-21
ARE NOW ON
A NEW TRACK
Bridgeport Police Change
Their Tactics
in THE MURDER CASE.
The Body Of the Unknown Victim
Will Now Be Exhumed.
CAUSE OF DEATH NOT YET CLEAR

Bridgeport, Conn, Sept. 2l.-The
Bridgeport authorities now admit that
they have arrived at no definite conclu-
sion as to how the unknown woman
whose dismembered body was found in
Yellow Mill pond came TO her death.
That Is, although they at first an
nounced that the examination revealed
septic fever. which follows blood pois-
oning produced by criminal operation.
as the first cause of dissolution. they
now declare that this is by no means a
certainty. The body, which was buried
With the exception of the head, which
now rests In "A jar of alcohol, will ac-
cordingly be exhumed and the viscera,
including the heart and the lungs, will
be subjected to chemical analysis by an
expert.
This question is reopened, more than
a week after the last bundles contain
ing the two portions of the trunk were
dragged from Yellow Mil pond. The
first examination of the remains was
superficial and careless. and the very
first step usually taken In such cases is
now the last
1t is only one OF the pieces OF bungling
which has characterized the investiga-
tion of the mystery. III some trust
worthy person shall decide clearly that
the young woman did not die from an
illness superinduced by criminal oper-
alton, there is eliminated from consid-
GRAFTON the suspicion which has been
directed against certain ones of the
vicinity, including Mrs. DR.. Guilford. In
this regard, however, the appearance of
&c 51' on the piece of n garment
wrapped about the head, which has
been shown 10 be Mrs. Guilford's laun-
dry mark, would still have to be ex-
planned.
The discovery that the unknown did
not die from septic fever would also
disassociate such men from the case
as might have desired to get rid of a
body upon which a criminal operation
had been performed. This discovery
would lead to the belief that the wom-
ans death had been wrought by poison
administered with murderous intent.
Murder by poisoning suggests new
theories and new methods of investiga-
tion, which may lead ultimately to the
solution of the mystery.
State Attorney Fessenden and Medi-
cal Examiner Downs were in conference
yesterday and the determination to ex-
hume the buried portions OF the body
shortly followed the meeting. The
usual number of clues have presented
themselves today, but they have not led
far and have ended in nothing.
Mrs Emma Curtis, who keeps a
boarding house at the corner of West
Main and Grove streets, Meriden, in
formed the police that the description
OF the dead woman corresponded closely
to that of person who had come to her
house three weeks ago with a young
man. They said they were man and
wife, gave their names as Mr.. and Mrs.
Do col hax live In,
New Haven. The couple acted pecu-
liarly. They never appeared at the din
ing table and had their meals sent to
their rooms. The young woman seemed
nervous and unhappy. and on the few
occasions when she presented herself
appeared with red and swollen eyes. as
IL she had been weeping. The woman
when he went away he locked the door
In which his wife was staying and went
away with the key in his pocket
Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes remained at
Mrs. Curtis only a week. removing
thence to the Arlington Hotel. where
they stayed until Saturday before the
on which the body was discov-
cred. Nobody has been found who has
seen either of them since. Detective
Arnold went to Meriden for the purpose
Of seeing Mrs. Curtis. but will not dis
close the outcome of his visit.
Another identifier came to town yes
terday, and succeeded i'm maintaining
such secrecy that his actions have
no end of comment. He went to |
the morgue and made a close and |
lengthy examination of the head OF the |
unknown. He shaded the face with his |
hand and looked at each feature OF the |
,orpse critically. He said that he !
thought he knew who the dead woman |
was He said he had come from Nor |
walk. He would not divulge his name. |
Upon leaving the moreue the stranger |
vent direct TO the office OF Superin- |
cndent cf Police Birmingham. and re-
NAMED closeted with him several min |
ties. Chief birmingham would not dis
lose the mans identity or say anything |
concerning the subject OF his interview