The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-07
Letter in the. Pockets confesses the
Murder of Mrs. BarthoIin and
Minnie Mitchell.
BODY WAS BURIED, BUT
WILL BE EXHUMED
Description Seems to Tally With That
of the Double Murderer, Though
Some Points Remain to Be Cleared
Up-Letter Says All Others Arrested
in Connection With the Crime Are
Innocent.

CHICAGO, Sept. 6.7The body of a
man, thought to be William Bartholin,
murderer of his mother and sweetheart
in Chicago six weeks ago, was found
today in field near Lowther, Iowa.
A bullet hole in the head and a re-
volver on the ground beside the body
showed how the hunted fugitive had
died.
In the pocket of the mans coat was
a letter confessing to the murder of the
two women in Chicago. Letters signed
Minnie Mitchell" the name of Bar,
tholin's murdered fancee. also were
found in the suicides pockets.
Nothing was said of the death of his
mother, Mrs. Anna Bartholin. who was
found buried in the basement of the
residence at 4310s Calumet avenue near
ly three weeks after the son had fled.
Nither was any direct reference made
to Minnie Mitchell. The letter simply
said that two womens had been mur-
dered.
Found in Flax Field.
The body was found in a fax field
six miles from Riceville. The discov-
cry was at once reported to the town
authorities and the body was removed
to Riceville. There it was recognized
as that of a man who had been in the
locality for some time. "A number of
persons recalled that the stranger had
been seen around the town for several
days. To some who had talked to him
he had given the name of William"
To others he had said that he was
William Boscoe. At q hotel he had
registered as Edwards" He disap-
peared week ago today, and it is pre-
sumed it was then that he took his life
in despair of eluding the police and in
terror Of being captured.
The town authorities at once nbticed
the resemblance the body bore to the
description Of the Chicago fugitive
which Inspector Hunt, of Chicago, had
sent to every town within 800 miles Of
Chicago. 1t was then that more care
full examination was made of the body
and the note. confessing the murders
was found.
Body to Be Exhunned.
The town authorities buried the body,
but it will be exhumed to remove any
doubt that may be raised as to the
identity of the suicide.
The note found on the, body referred
to the two murders in Chicago and de-
clared that no one except the writer
was concerned in the commission of
the crimes. The note filed one and a
half pages of ordinary letter paper and
was signed William Bartholin." The
letters found on the body were signed
"M M" The initials are supposed to
stand for Minnie Mitchell.
The body itself furnishes several
points which are similar to those, in
the amended police description of Bar
tholin, issued Aug. IS. Chief of these
is the upper false teeth.
Officers Sent to Iowa.
Unable to receive any official infor-
nation from Riceville concerning the
body, Chief of Police O'Neill tonight
decided to send two officers to the
scene of the suicide. The officers Sc
lected to go were both personally ac-
quainted with Bartho1in, and in case
the body is that of the murderer they
will have no trouble in establishing his
identity. The detectives left Chicago at
II o'clock, accompanied by Robert
Mitchell, brother of the murdered girl.