The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-26
ENTIRELY ACCIDENTAL.

The finding of the body was entirely
accidental, and had the hunters not ven
tured into the swamp in search of game
II is possible that the remains would
never have been discovered, or not for
many years at least
Edwin T.. Warfeld OF Blackstone and r.
Rhodes and c. Hoyt of Belllngham were
hunting in the vicinity. and having had
poor luck ventured into the swamp. all
most against their will. II being a most
forbiddlng looking place.
Mr. Hoyt first saw the body, the skull
bare of flesh, attracting his attention,
but thinking IL a paper bag he passed on
Mr.. Warfeld. who was following. saw the
CLEAN OF the bone, stopped. and seeing
the long hair attached to the object. sum
moned his companions. Further investi-
CATION showed the hunters that the re-
mains Of a body were submerged I'm the
water or covered with the debris of the
woods
Being conversant with the fact that
Annie Butler had been missing for
months and that a $500 reward had been
offered, the men made their way to the
compact part OF Millville and telephoned
to Uxbridge for Medical Examiner John
ston. He arrived there shortly before 6
o'clock and In company with Selectman
Cornelius II. Day Undertaken Conway
Rev James Prendergast, pastor OF St
piloted to the scene by the hunters
The skull lay on dry ground. but the
remainder OF the body was submerged,
with most OF the iesh decomposed. al
though some OF Il lay msNed with the
earth near the body.
FELL THROUGH WEAKNESS.
The body was lying on it's right side
this would seem To Indicate that the girl
had either fallen through weakness or
had tripped, and unable TO rise had lain
partially submerged until death ensued
from starvation. In her weak condition
exposure would soon result fatally. Then
again she may have fallen In ft In
this spot. and as assistance was not near
perlshed almost Immediately.
Under the direction OF the medical ex-
aminer and Father Prendergast a shoe
Was taken from The foot OF one OF the
from the trunk, and piece or the ging-
ham dress skirt was wrapped In a paper
Of f the girl m to have the identincstion. ion made
on the spot by neighbors confirmed by
members OF the family.
The father of the girl had reached the
place during this investigation and had
in his possession piece OF the cloth from
which the girls dress was made. He
compared this cloth. which was a light
blue piece OF large check pattern. with a
piece OF tho dress found on the body.
AT glance IL was seen that barring the
fading caused by the water and elements
~
ming through the fabric making identif-
cation the easier. Mr. Butler said he
had no doubt that the body was that OF
his daughter.
EXAMINED SKULL.
The skull was taken TO the undertaking.
rooms OF John Conway OF Millville ana
Today he and his assistants proceeded TO
the spot and gathered up the rest OF the
body and prepared II for burial Today
Medical Examiner Johnston examined
the skull for bullet wounds or fracture
that would tend TO show foul play. Sholld
there have been foul play and a knife the
instrument OF assault the condition OF
the remains woulo not disclose such a
fact. DIR. Johnston, however. holds To
the belief that the girl wandered into the
swamp and died, and In this he ls upheld
by large portion OF the inhabitants OF
the village. although some OF them still
stick 10 the foul play theory.
Annie Butler. had she lived, would
have been q years old Aug. s last She
was the daughter OF Patrick and Bridget
Butler and was one OF family OF nine
children. comprising eight daughters and
one son. For years she had been sub.
ject TO epileptlc fits that had weakened
her physically and mentally.