The sun., 1900-01-04
EYRE MYSTERY
IS A PUZZLE 70
THE CHESTER POLICE
Chief Berry Not Prepared to
Declare Himselfin Favor of
Murder Theory.
RIVER SEARCH DIFFICULT
Floating Ice Prevents the Dragging
ofthe Bed of the stFeam-sug-
.gestions as to tho Method
: OF Continuing the
Search.
RIVER SEARCH DIFFICULT

Chester, Pa, Jan. 3.--The mystery at
tachectO the disappearance Of George
ii. Eyre, ol Chester, who mas been miss
ing since Thursday, December u, re-
mains unsolved. The public as well as
the various searching parties which have
been beating along both shores Of the
Delaware with the hope OF finding either
the body Of the missing hunter or some
clue which might lead to the discovery
OF bis whereabouts, II perchance he is
alive, have failed at every step, and pub.
lie opinion is now divided as to his fate.
The police realize, in the parlance OF
the street, that they are ''up against 1t, 7"
and they scarcely know which way to
turn next. They are not prepared TO
declare in favor OF the murder theory,
and they contend that even II they
should work on the line that Eyre met
with foul play, they would be able TO
make but little progress until the body
OF the missing man or eome OF his effects
are recovered by the searchers.
Various suggestions concerning the
best method TO pursue in searching for
the body have been offered, but all, with
the exception OF the use OF the divers,
have been found impracticable, because
of the heavy flow OF ice in the river.
Captain Randall OF the American Steam
ship Line, suggested that line 100 yards
in length, having attached to il at short
intervals huge iron hooks, and weighted
at both ends should be carried at either
end BY skiffs, and that in this way the
bed OF the river sholld be dragged. This
proposition would have been considered
several days ago, had it not been for the
T.Vhial ranAnraH m nf thQ
kiLd impossible. Meanwhile the divers
Save continued their search, which has
thus far been barren OF result.
Must Have the Body.
Chief OF Police Berry recognizes the
supreme importance Of the recovery ol
the body, and the futility OF prosecuting
the case along the lines Of the murder
theory, il q murd .r has been committed
unless the search is successful. The Chic
holds that II Eyre's body ia in the river
1t will probably be discovered some
where along the Jersey shore, and he is
intensely interested in the search which
is now being made in that direction.
In discussing the case today the Chic
said: II Rm not prepared to say that
Eyre met With foul play, and neither
will assume that he was accidentally
drowned. 1t is by no means certain tha
the man is dead, and will await dovel
opments before | attempt to theorize
You can drpend upon it, however, tina
the Police Department will do its dutl
in any emergency, and ii it should ap
pear that Eyre was really murdered, ",
will not be very long in putting ou
hands on the man who probably com
mitted tie crime
"Do you attach any Importance TO tn
letter signed A. ]. R?" vas asked.
None whatever" said the Chief. 81
yns probably written by q cranS.
have big batch OF letters similar j
character and they are all anonymous.
''It Is barely possible that Eyre
alive" was suggested.
Certainly. In the absence OF NOR
direct information than is now at hahC
il ia possible that the missing man
away enjoying himself, all unconscioU
of the stir which he is creating. We ca
speculate at random. He may hay
been drowned accidentally and he ma
have been murdered"
The worde OF che Chief fairly indca
the public opinion OF Chester. All sor
OF theories are advanced, and many b
leve that the missing man will turn 1
safe and sound. They are now awaitil
III the hearing Of James Pierce on ti
y charge Of stealing I.adomus' boat, co
II cerning which there is an mir Of myster
sA~ phase of the matter which h
aroused considerable interest was Il
fact that the fish box, said to be ii
property OF Pierce, had dsappeare
The theory is held by many that
would be impossible to place the body
| murdered man in box OF the kin
and, loading 1t with stone, sink it, boz
II and all, in the river at some dista
Il boint. This theory recalls the visit
The clairvoyant to Chief Berry, and Il
Prediction furnished by him that /
body would be found in boat load
With stone. The strange fact'in conn,
tion with the alleged disappearance
the fish box is that the man who Il
tnished the information missed it me
tban ten days ago, but failed until y,
.nrday to report the matter. For ii
reason the police have little faith in I
report, as far as its value as possii
clue is concerned.
& Mems PRAYER Meetings