The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-07
1t Was Lying i'm a Field Near Low.
Head and Revolver Near By.
NOTE FOUND IN COAT POCKET
COMPOSING MURDER OF TWO WOM-
EN, BUT NOT NAMING THEM.
Also Letters Signed "Minnie MITCHELL y
the Name of William j. Bartho-
Inns Fiancee.

CHICAGO. Sept 6.-The body of man.
thought to be William Bartholin, murderer
of his mother and sweetheart in Chicago
six weeks ago. was found to-day in a field
near Lowther, Ia, 29O miles from Chicago
bullet hole in the head and a revolver
on the ground beside the body showed how
the supposed hunted fugitive died.
In the pocket of the mans coat was a
letter confessing the murder of two
women in Chicago. Letters signed Min
ME Mitchell" the name of Bartholin's
murdered fiancee, also were found in the
suicides pockets. Nothing was said of
the death of his mother, Mrs. Anna Bar
tholin, who was found buried in the base
ment of the residence at 1910 Calumet
avenue nearly three weeks after the son
had fled. Neither was any direct reference
made to Minnie Mitchell. The letter simply
said 1.-TWO women had been murdered.
The body was found in a fax field six
miles from Riceville. The discovery was
at once reported to the town authorities
and the body was at once removed to Rice
Vile. 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 Williams" To others he had said
he was William Boscoe. AT a hotel he had
registered as Edwards" He disappeared
a week ago to-day. and it is presumed 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
noticed the resemblance tn. body bore to
the description of the Chicago fugitive.
which Inspector Hunt, of Chicago, had sent
to every town within 500 milts of Chicago.
1t was then that more careful examina-
ton was made of the body and the note
confessing TO the murders was found. The
town authorities buried the body. but it
will be exhumed to remove any doubt that
may be raised to the identity of the
suicide.
The note found on the body referred to
the two murders in Chicago, and de-
cleared that no one except the writer was
concerned in the commission of the crimes
The note filled one and quarter pages
of ordinary letter paper and was signed
William Bartholn." The letters found
on the body were written two years ago.
dId Wcit SAohcN -'A W. Hc illlldlS are
supposed to stand for Minnie Mitchell.
The body itself furnished several points
which are similar to those in the amend
cd police description of Bartholin, issued
Aug 13. Chief of these is the upper false
teeth. The undertaken who handled the
body found in Iowa said tonight that the
upper teeth were false and ''set in a
white plate" AS to whether there were
two gold crowned teeth in the body-an-
other means of Identifying Bartholin, the
undertaken could not remember. The body
was buried to-day. 1t was apparent death
had occurred several days ago, and to this
fact is due the obliteration of some of the
points relied on for full Identification
Bartholin was thirty years of age The
undertaken could not estimate the age
of the man whose body was found in the
field. He could not estimate the weight.
Bartholin weighed 100 pounds. The under
taker estimated the height at six feet The
fugitive was five feet ten inches.
Bartholin had brown hair and large nose.
mouth and ears. The undertaken said the
hair on the head OF the body was light
Time. since death, had made accurate
statements as to the ears, nose and mouth