Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-26
M'KINNEYS BODY FOUND,
The Unfortunate Man Was Evidently
Drowned in the Christiana.

The Unfortunate Man Was Evidently
Drowned in the Christiana.
The mystery surrounding the disap-
pearanca OF James L. Mckinney from
his residence, No. 1907 West Sixteenth
street, this city, on Sunday. January
2lst, was partially cleared up Sunday,
when the body was found in the Chris
tiana. The discovery was made at 8
O'Clock in the morning by Capt. David
r. Wyatt of one of the Warner Line
packets, who reported the matter to
George h. Bayley, watchman at the p,
W. q b. railroad cutoff bridge. The
latter, through Patrolman Moran, noti-
ticd police headquarters, and Coroner
Vandever's Office. The body was made
fast in dock near the bridge and re-
Capt. Black, who had been we'll ac-
quainted with Mckinney, and identified
the body as that Of the missing man.
The body, which was badly decom-
posed and bore evidence of having been
in the water long time, was taken by
Deputy Coroner Giles to the morgue,
where it was again identified by William
II. Haley, brother -in-law Of the de-
ceased, and John W. Haley. bnth of
whom bad known Mckinney well.
An examination of the body revealed
mark on the back of the head, which
is believed to have been caused by COM
ing in contact with ice or something
else after it reached the water. There
is some suspicion that the unfortunate
the was the victim of foul play, but
man police have been unable to learn
anything that would give color to this
suspicion. and it is altogether likely the
death will go down into history as a
case of accidental drowning. In fact, up
TO the present time, nothing has been
learned that would indicate anything
| else
At any rate, Mckinney was not
robbed. When his clothing was ex-
amined his watch was found in his
ovel coat pocket, the chain was in
pocket of his trousers, 50. 6S were in
another pocket and pair of nose glasses
and two pairs of speotacles weie also
found. II there was any foul play no
motive is apparent.
Mckinney owned farm at Ruthby
station, and on Saturday night, January
20th, made arrangements to go to his
farm with George Grotf of this city on
the following day. ile was to meet
Croft at the p, w. & B. railroad station
at 10 O'Clock in the morning. hut Croft
1 EhNb ITO Was oISh Ou INV -1iSU hub Wuo
not able to keep the appointment He
says he left Mckinney at Fourth and
Lombard streets at 10 O'Clock on the
night of the 20th and did not see him
after that.
| Mckinney left home early on the
morning OF the 21st and at the b. & o.
railroad station bought a newspaper,
which was found IN his pocket. Where
he went after leaving the railroad sta
tion is not known, although it is said
he was seen in the vicinity of Second
and Monroe streets at O'Clock that
afternoon. Nobody appears to have
seen him to know him after that, and
as his watch was stopped at 8. 90 o. clock,
it is believed he fell into the Christiana
at s. 09 CLOCK Sunday evening, January
21st -.us4
Mrs. Mckinney was Frustrated by the
mysterious disappearance OF her hus
band and souu became violently i'll. For
several days her life was despaired OF,
but she recovered partially. The shock
affected her in a peculiar manner, and
relatives say she lost all conception of
her husbands appearance, and, although
she was not permitted to see his face
Sunday, it is believed she would DOT
have recognized him had she seen him.
She appears to have forgotten much
about Iast events, SO far as her husband
was concerned.
Sunday, when the body was found
Mrs. Mckinney and her daughter. Mrs,
Bella Sharp, were again prostrated, and
the shock was SO severe to the latter.
who was very much attached to her
father, that she is now in a critical con.
dition. The funeral took place Monday
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