Evening journal., 1899-09-23
AN UNKNOWN SUICIDE.
Body of Aged Man F FoundHang-
ing From a Tree on penny Hill.
DISCOVERED EARLY THIS MORNING

BY NICHOLAS SPEELEs, WHO NO
TITLED THE POLICE DEPART
MENT-No CLUE TO THE MANS
IDENTITY FOUND UPON THE
BODY - REMOVED TO THE
MORGUE.
The body of an unknown man, aged
about 65 years, was found hanging to
the limb of tree on Penny Hill early
this morning.
The discovery was FIRST made by
William Shaw, a farmer, who lives
near the hill, as he was on his way to
Wilmington to serve customers with
milk. Mr.. Shaw notified Alfred Hib-
bard, who is employed by him, and
the latter started to cut the body down,
but fearing his actions would not be
approved by the coroner, hastened into
Wilmington to inform the authorities.
o'clock, but in the meantime Nicholas
Species, who also lives in the vicinity,
saw the body at $50 o'clock, and, driv-
ing into town, notified the Police De-
partment, who in turn communicated
with Coroner Vandever.
HANGING FROM A TREE.
Deputy Coroner Giles at once hasten
ed to the spot and removed the body
of the suicide. Upon arriving at the
SPOT Mr.. Giles found the man hanging
from the limb Of a. tree on the left side
of the road, about half way up Penny
Hill. Around his neck was an ordi-
nary clothesline, which had been ad-
justed with a slip moose and the other
end tied to a branch. The mans feet
touched the ground, and his knees were
bent, indicating that he had drawn his
legs up in order that death might en-
sue. The vertebrae column was moi
broken, and death was due to strangu
lation. The body was still warm wher
cut down by Mr.. Giles.
IDENTITY UNKNOWN.
The body of the suicide was placed
in tho dead wagon and removed to thu
morgLe, at Tenth and Tatnall streets
where a search of his clothing wal
made.
Nothing was found upon his person
however, that would lead to his iden
tity, the only articles about him beinI
a small piece of brown wrapping paper
a razor, comb, pair of scissors, nearl,
new; a bundle of shoe laces, two pair
OF nickel trimmed spectacles, one pal
being on his nose, red bandann
handkerchief. about three yards o
twisted hemp rope and several piece
Of string. Not scrap of paper wa
in the clothes which would indicate tn
identity of the man. Nine cents i
money and key we're also found in
canvas bag~in one Of his pockets. H
also carried a black cane.
WAS DRESSED IN BLACK.
The dead man wore a low crowne
soft black hat, dark coat and trouserl
brown vest with a black stripe run
ming through it, flannel drawers, grey
mixed socks and stout shoes. Acro'
his breast was a piece Of a sock, eviden
Iy as a chest protector.
The dead man is apparently about
years Of age. has grey hair and a gre
beard. He wore a pair of nickel rim
med spectacles. He has<he appearan'
of a farmer and, although his face hs
a familiar appearance to those WI
viewed the remains, up to noon to-ds
no one could disclose his identity.
The suicide must have taken pla'
but few moments before the boz
was discovered, as a butcher living me-
Penny Hill passed the tree from whit
the body was found suspended abo
4 O'Clock this morning, and it was n
there at that time.
The impression seems to prevail tn
the dead man was a peddler, who,
a number of years, sold lead penci
combs and small articles in the XII
street market, but whose name a
residence is unknown to the farme
Some also doubt that the man comm
ted the suicide and suggest foul pla.
The fact that number of small ar
cles. such as would be carried by
peddler, were found upon the de
man seems to bear out the theory.
sPRINKLERS FOR SOUTH AMERI'
The Jackson and Sharp Company