The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-26

Clinton, June 25.-It has been said
here in the last "a hours that the au-
thorities have something up their
sleeves concerning the swamp mystery,
and that they had it when the autopsy
was held back of the tomb in Sterling.
Nothing was given out officially about
this autopsy at the time or has been
given out since. A few scant whisper
ings have come indirectly from one or
another of the half dozen persons pres
ent, but that is all.
Have the authorities a clue to the
identity of the dead woman, or did they
find that she was Elizabeth Shedden?
The answer to this question is awaited
with interest.
The conduct of the authorities has
been mysterious. Deputy Sheriff Bart
lett has beSn working industrlc1sly
upon the case, and concealing his move
ments as much as possible.
1t is said here that the autopsy dis
closed things it is deemed best should
not be given to the public, lest the in
formation should interfere with the
ends of justice. 1t is said that the autop-
sy did disclose evidence tending to show
that the body was that CT Elizabeth
Shedden, and that Medical Examiner
George L. Tobey Is keeping silence in
order to give the authorities time to in
vestigate .he manner of her death and
apprehend the responsible parties.
There is little to give the color #
truth to this report, except the silence
If the medical examiner and all who
were present at the autopsy.
Nobody knows what was found at the
autopsy, or what was developed there
except those who were present. If they
were told to keep their mouths shut
they have obeyed the injunction i'm
plicitly.
There was even hesitancy as to the
admlttance of Dr. Merriam of Sterling,
and he was admitted only on the in
junction of secrecy, and this condition
was imposed upon everybody who was
present.
Now, if the autopsy developed nothing
except that the body of an unknown
had been found, there is scarcely need
Of keeping the proceedings so quiet. The
fact that such secrecy is observed is
considered significant. Medical Exam
liner Foley declines to say anything,
upon the ground that his report will
say all he has to say, and that the pro-
eeedings have reached a point where it
will be improper for him to speak ex-
cept through his report. That reason is
not binding upon the other persons
present.
There is a missing link in the connec-
ton between the teeth and the jaw in
which It has been represented they be-
long. which leads persons familiar with
the circumstances here to believe that
the authorities are keeping something
back.
Sheriff Bartlett made the announce
ment to the newspaper men early in the
case. that while he wished to be on good
terms with all of them, he should not
hesitate to withhold such facts or give
out such facts as he deemed to be in
the interest of justice.
Probably all the circumstances will
not be known until the inquest is held
in the district court, which wHl prob
ably take place before long, but the
impression has gained great Roadway,
that the authorities have some strong
motive for Withholding information. Be
cause the authorities are so reticent,
and because, aside from what Sheriff
Bartlett is doing, there is little appear
ance of effort to solve the mystery, the
people here are clamorous for energetic
action to get to the bottom Of the mys-
terry.
A gentleman prominent in the COM
munity said today Il may be in error
as to what should be expected from the
county authorities, but 1 shall think. as
many men with whom 1 have talked
believe. that the pursuit Of this mys-
terry is lax. It is not every day that
women are found dead, and with evil
dence that fire was used TO destroy evil
dence Of the manner of death. When
such are found. vigorous steps should
be taken promptly to sift the matter.
If the impression is 10 go abroad that
young women can be done to death,
dumped in a swamp and cremated with
out danger to the criminal, such crimes
will certainly increase. 1 know 1t may