The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-19

found last night In the swamp be-
tween Lancaster and Sterling, in a
spot so lonely as to make it seem to
the ordinary mind that no woman,
however fearless, would seek it of her
own free will, alone. either to rest or
to die.
Today's investigation, which was ex
haustive in so far as the remains of
this dead woman and their immediate
surroundings are concerned, brought
no solution Of the mystery, but rather
deepened it.
The examination has not disclosed
the identity Of the woman, nor how
she came to this lonesome spot, nor
why, if she came. she passed mere
comfortable places to lie down in a
swamp hole as repulsive almost as any
that could receiYe a human form.
Above all, 1t has not disclosed the
mystery of the fire. Did the woman set
fire to herself and die in agony where
her skeleton was found, or did some
other person try to blot out with fire
the evidence of crime?
1t has not disclosed her station in
life, although it has yielded strong evil
dence that 1t was humble. 1t has not
shown that the garments, in which the
skeleton was clothed, were those the
dead woman wore in life, although the
presumption is that they were.
All the evidence is negative. The
death may have been due to suicide,
but there is nothing to show it. No
weapon, no bottle has been found.
She may have set fire to herself by
accident, but she was within a few
feet of a brook and in the midst OF a
swamp.
The argument that she may have at
tempted destruction by burning,
has been advanced. but there are not
half a dozen instances of suicide by fire
on record, and the law Of chances is
against it.
Medical Examiner George l.. Tobey,
Chief of Police Oren B. Bates and Dep
uty Sheriff Charles A. Bartlett, three
men who have intimate and official
knowledge of all the facts, are firm in
the opinion that the fire, Of which the
skeleton and its garments show such
traces, was lighted after the death of
the victim. Any theory that en-
braces this conclusion contains the
proposition that this dead woman was
murdered, perhaps wilfully, for the
theory that a brush fire may have con-
hu oil lsI
There has been no fire in the under
growth in recent months, and no such
fire could burn in the swamp land. even
If one existed on the higher ground.
Certain circumstances give color to
the theory advanced for lack of a bet
ter, that an effort was made with fire
to conceal a lesser crime than wilfuI
murder, Of which death was the result.
1t was o'clock this morning when
the officials took up the investigation,
where they left it last night. This
time the newspaper men were on the
scene. including the representative OF
The Spy.
After the newspaper men, first to ar
rive was Charles e. Phelps. an UNDER
1ertaker and constable Of Sterling Mr..
Phelps brought with him a shovel, two
iron hooks and other paraphernalia ne
cessary to the gruesome business in
hand.
Jonathan Davis and Fred H. Bates,
seIectmen of Sterling. Joined the party.
which was added to by the arrival Of
Deputy Sheriff Bartlett, with Chief
Bates and Medical Examiner Tobey.
Others who Joined the expedition were
Allan G. Buttrick a member Of the
Lancaster board Of health; George l.
Miles. a farmer whose residence IL
near the scene, and Constable George
Herbert Of Sterling.
The way to the scene OF the tragedy
was difficult. The trail led for 1000
feet through masses of huckleberry
brush and tangled ferns. The way
was barred in places by dwarfed pines
and clumps Of white birches.
There was a search OF 20 minutes be-
fore the skeleton was relocated. The
Sterling authorities who left ii un-
guarded and unmatched last night
were warranted in their statement that
it would take an unguided person per-
haps weeks to find the spot
The remains lay as they did last
night, except for the fact that the