Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-14
Body of an Unknown Woman
Found on Outskirts Of Belle
Plaine Today
CRIME YELLED IN MYSTERY
Woman Was About % Years Old and
Had Been Dead About Two Days
When Found-Motve for Crime Un-
known.-Watchman Held Up and
Robbed at MspIeton-other Crimes.

Special to Times Republican.
Belle Plaine, Nov. 14.-The dead
body of an unknown woman was found
in the outskirts of town at an early
hour this morning. 1t is not known
yet whether it Is case OF murder or
suicide or whether death was caused
by natural causes. The coroner has
been summoned and will make an in
ed by man named Emanuel Bence. a
trapper living near the city. The body
is that of a woman about 2S years of
age, was neatly tho inexpensively
dressed and appeared to be that of a
foreigner. From appearances the wo-
man had been dead for forty-eight
hours and there we're blood stains on
one side of the face, AS no weapon
was found nearby. the theory that she
was murdered is given considerable
credence. The clothing was not dis
arranged and there was no further
evidence of a crimet The motive for
the murder, II such 1t was. is not ap-
parent. The coroner is expected this
afternoon and it is hoped to clear up
the mystery. No one has been report
ed missing from this vicinity and so
far all efforts to identify the body have
been futile. The place where the wo-
man was found is short distance
from the southeast limits OF the cor
poration and is surrounded by heavy
growth of weeds and is at the edge of
the timber.
Hundreds vinw Remains.
All day crowds crowded around the
body OF the as yet unidentified woman
Altho 1t is estimated that 1000 have
looked into the silent face not one has
so far appeared who can throw any
light upon the mystery. None seems TO
her apparel and body were searched
for traces that would lead to the dis
closure of who she was. not one trace
has been found. The finding of the
body and the lack Of clues as to whom
she may be has aroused the greatest
interest and excitement. Many hold to
the theory of foul play, while others
think this to be incorrect.
Evidences Of Violent Death.
The only evidences which have a
tendency to give weight to the belief
that she came to her death by foul
means are marks OF violence about the
face and neck, which. may have been
inflicted either by the hand or some
blunt instrument. The most noticeable
of these is a cash about three inches
in length extending from the left corner
of the mouth back under the ear Thf
cut is q shallow one, from which she
bled quite freely, but not sufficiently 81
to have caused death. Other bruises
something Of the prints Of
fingers We're found upon the throat.
Upon a later and more thorough ex-
animation 1t is declared that she has
been dead at least three or four days.
She Was Mother.
Coroner Brant, or Blairstown, made
thorough examination of the body
to have been inarried and mother. al
tho possible the latter at no very recent
date. When alive she would probably
have been considered OF a prepossessing
appearance. She was rather slender
and about five feet six or seven inches
in height. and would probably weigh
about 120 pounds. Her hair was OF an
auburn tinge, altho not red The cor
oner's Jury composed of Lou Malcolm.
George Shoehart and William Tedba,l
was empaneled this afternoon. and is
getting together az much evidence on
the case as is possible under the cir
The inquest will undoubt-
edly be held tonight.