Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-02

Elizabeth City, N. c., Dec %. Five
weeks of mystery and speculation "a 20
the fate OF Miss Ella Cropsey ended
yesterday, when the body of the missing
girl was found floating 10 the Pasuuo-
tank River, opposite her father home
here.
The body was discovered by j. ID.
Stillman, a fisherman. Upon discover
ing that the floating object was the
body Of young giri he gave notice,
and Coroner Fearing had it brought to
the shore When found it was floating
face downward
All the wearing apparel WAS nearly
intact. Identification was easy.
The spot where the body was fourd
had been agged several times since
her disappearance, but with no previous
result.
Coroner Fearing summoned jury of
prominent men from among the crowd
that had assembled and called in Drs.
J. +. Wood and o. McMullen to make
a thorough autopsy SO as to learn if
there was any signs Of violence on the
body. The verdict of the jury was as
follows:
"We report that from the investigs-
tion made by physicians Of Elizabeth
City, and from their opinion, and also
from our personal observation, that Ella
CroEsey came 10 her dsath by being
struck blow ON the left temple and by
being drowned in the Pas uotank River.
We have not yet Investigated nor heard
any testimony as to who inflicted the
blow and did the drown ug. We are
informed that one James Wilcox is
charged with the crime and is now in
custody. We recommend that investi
cation as to his or anyone else g proba-
BILE guilt be had by one or more magls-
trates ia Elizabeth City township, and
that Wilcox be held to await such In,
vestigation. "
The Jury was composed OF P. s. Ship,
b. f. Spence, Maurice Wescott, Robert
j. Mitchell, }. b. Ferebee and j. il.
Leroy.
The report of the autopsy, as made
by the physicians, was in part as fol
lows:
1.-The garments showed no marlSe Of
violence. The epidermis of the fare
and head, together with the hair OF the
head, were peeled off. The face and
head were swollen and sodden. Disco.
Grafton OF pinkish tinge was on the
front OF the. head and face, with slight
blush discoraticD over the back of the
neck and the head. There were no
marks upon the front OF her neok, ex-
cert as made by constitution of the
dress collar.
"On the section of the SCALP around
the head, one inch above the brow,
there was found on the left side at the
junction of portion OF the temporal,
parietal and frontal hc mes, a dark dis
cooration Of the muscular substance
about 2 by 2 inches in extent, visibly
thickening tho muscular substance |;
uEon suction OF this there exuded about
half an ounre. OF blood. The bone be-
meath this confusion was discolored
slightly hlus Theirs was no other alb
normality in any part of the scalp,
which WIS completely disseoted
No IT,, .lre was discovered at any
TGnt of the Uranium. There was no
etfus.on of blood or water upon the
surface Of the brain or any evidence
that yio ence had reached its structure
or the internal plates of its bony cover
ing,
1.-THE brain substance showed SO far
rs we could see no evidence OF damage.
"On the body there were no marks
OF violence, the skin was maoerated in
plscea and of pinkish deterioration.
THE stomach upon being opened
emitted gas and was found to contain
about two ounces of dark fund and
solid substance, the solid substance
presumed to be undigested food. The
appearance of the stomach and other
abdominal organs was normal.
The lungs were collapsed and free
from water. Upon cross section they
showed dark liver color, aud upon
| ,naoaura ami tta or,an hphhlaa af J..lK
bloody froth. Small sections when
dropped into the water hoated. There
was no fluid found in the plural cavity
and the plural membrane appeared to
be normal.
| THE pericardial sack was opened
and there was no offusion. Both the
right and left cavities Of the heart we're
laid open and found equally empty and
darby colored, the heart itself was
normal" a'M
The physicians statement also dis.
proved reports that Miss Oropsey was
about to become a mother or that ner
conduct had been improper.
Great crowds assembled in front Of
the Academy of Music, where the jury
met, and groups were on almost every
street. corner discussing the case, but
making no manifestation, waiting for
the verdict Of the Jury as.to whether
the girl met foul play or committed
suicide.
Anticipating that trouble may be
brewing for James Wilcox, Miss Crop
sey's sweetheart, who has been arrested
on suspicion, the Naval Reserves have
been ordered out to maintain order.
All the harrooms in the city have been
closed. Wilcox has been removed ia
the county Jail for his own protection
and a strong guard has been PLACED
around the Jail.
The family Of the dead girl refuse to
express an opinion as TO the Gauss oil
her death.
The mother OF the girl is completely
Frustrated and little can te done by
relatives and friends to comfort her.
She had watched daily, hoping for the
return of her daughter alive.
Ella Cropsey disappeared 90 the NIGH
of November Goth. She had been visited
that night by James Wilcox, her ad
mirer. About IL O'Clock he rose to go
and she went to the door with him
where they had lovers quarrel. Tina
was the last seen of Miss Cropsey unit
her body was found esterday. She wal
II years old.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. W edding. 7eSl'-
| William Warmer MRlalian of NEAR NJ II