The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-13
Portions Of a Woman'S
Body Found In Them
HEAD HAD BEEN BATTERED
Cloth Had Been Closely Drawn
About the Victims Mouth.
CHASTITY FIND IN A MUD POND.

Bridgeport Sept. 13.-The police de-
rartment is all agog over gruesomc
find OF two packages In the mud OF a
pond. which point concluslvely to an
other murder mystery to unravel. The
packages contained the head OF a wom-
an cut from the body near the ear. and
the lower limbs which had been sep
arated from the body. unjointed and
cut In two at the knees. then tied to-
gether again and wrapped up in glazed
paper. The head OF the woman was
battered and jammed on one side, and
had n cloth tied over the mouth.
The packages were noticed by three
lads who wele on the north end OF the
bridge which crosses an arm OF the
mill pond. The boys called the atten-
ton of William Burr. who lives In the
vicinity. TO them. He procured rake
and finally landed the bundles. The
police were notified Immediately.
Medical Examiner Downes was al
once Informed OF the discovery, and he
Immediately drove to the scene, and
later communicated with Coroner Doten
Detective Cronin also. by good chance
happened TO be In the neighborhood, and
succeeded In retaining many apparently
trifling articles which will probably b.
or invaluable assistance In working ur
the case. The medical examiner gave
a permit for the dtsmembered parts to
be removed to the morgue. where they
were taken.
After the head had been cleaned and
made presentable, as far as II was pos
sible on account OF it's battered condi-
tiot, photographs were taken for the
purpose Of possible identification. Two
pictures In different positions were Sc
cured. The result was that II Is the
opinion of the authorities that the VIC
tim was person Of more than ordinary
refinement. The features, however.
are wan and thin. IL rs surmised that
the woman was about Ave feet. six
inches in height her 1air was braided
In manner as usual with many women
before they retire, and was tied with a
cotton cord. A number OF the teeth
were white and regular. and some were
gold-flied, while on'y two or three i'm
the back Of the mouth were missing.
The eyes were greyish blue. The pro-
nounced characteristic OF the face Is
the short. aquilipe nose. which. Ii is
believed. will afford q strong means OF
identification. The feet are small and
shapely. The neck and also the limbs
at the knees and thighs were severed
in manner showing a clean cutting
of the flesh, and was clearly done by
some one oonversant with anatomy,
VI al h.,t. ~,
persor. The authorities are inclined
to believe that one of the former class
was the guilty party.
Dr. Downes stated that the case was
most curious ind one of so many con-
tradictions that the solution OF the mys-
terry promises to be- no easy task In
his opinion the body had been in the
water about "a hours. when found. and
tho. large knife had been used to
dismember tho body. as In no place was
the flesh torn. The limbs were sawed
q leisurely manner and evidently with
apart. but the entire work was done in
much care. as TO bruises were visible
about the head. II is the opinion of |
the medical examiner that the death |
took place at night. from the arrange
ment of the woman's hair. and also from |
the appearance OF the teeth that she had |
not lived In plentiful manner OF late.
There was also noticed that two |
stout cords were wound about the |
thighs so tightly as TO cut into the flesh.
and 1t was evident that whoever did the |
cutting was desirous to prevent the flow |
of blood. The limbs had one leg of a |
mans cotton drawers, OF the kind that |
are worn In summer, wrapped about |
thcm; 1t was Of good material. but there
were no marks on IL to assist in identi-
fication.
Two stones, weighing about 10 pounds
each. were attached to the bundles.
They were discolored from being in the
water for long time. and were un-
doubtedly taken from near the shore.
where there is much refuse. by who
ever tried to dispose Of the remains.
All the articles which might assist In
any way in the ferreting out of the
crime were taken charge OF by the police.
The arms and trunk are stu missing. al
though n persistent search was kept up
in the vicinity Of the place OF the flnd-
ing OF the other portions OF the body.
All sorts Of theories are afloat. but
not the slightest clue has been obtained.
nor has there been anyone reported TO
the police as missing. The place where
the dismembered parts were found is
a very lonely spot. and may be ap-
at night with little fear OF
detection. The dentists of the city
have been asked to examine the teeth
to see II any Of them could recognize
the work. which might assist In the