River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-21
SEA GIVES Up THE
BODY OF LOOMS
REMAINS ARE WASHED ASHORE
NEAR PLYMOUTH, ENG.
MAY SOLVE A DEEP MYSTERY
Identification of the Body Is Prac-
tically omplete-Wounds Have
Aroused Suspicion of
Foul Play.

London, July 18.-A body, supposed
to be that of F. Kent Loomis, was washed
ashore Saturday morning at Bigbury
Bay, Devonshire
The body was that of we'll dressed
man, five feet six inches in height, at
tired in a gray overcoat and dark blue
suit. In the pockets were found a card
with the name ''F. Kent Loomis, Amer
lean and English coins, American notes,
gold watch, etc. The body, which was
discovered by laborer, was in state
of considerable decomposition. 1t was
removed to a neiehboring farm build
ing to await the inquest.
Sure of Identification.
The police said that there is no doubt
that the body is that of Loomis.
Joseph G. Stephens, the American con-
sui at Plymouth, was notified and after
viewing the body said he had no doubt
it was that of F. Kent Loomis. The
police, however, refused to allow the
consul to examine the papers found on
the body. These papers had been sealed
up and the consul was informed that
go Saturday afternoon, when at the
coroner to inspect them. All the valu-
ables found on the body also have been
sealed up, including ring which was
found on a finger and which is said to
be inscribed inside with the name of
Loomis' wife The American consul
has arranged that proper care be taken
of the body. No medical examination
has yet been made, but so far as
known there are no signs of wounds
or evidence of foul play.
Suspicion of Foul Play.
Reports to both the Press association
and the Central News assert that a fur
Their examination of the body of F. Kent
Loomis has given rise to grave suspi-
cions on the part of the local officials
that Mr.. LOOMS met with foul play.
The wound behind the right ear is de-
scribed as being circular, large and
clean, and it is thought that it was in
fiicted before death. 1t is surmised that
Mr.. Loomis' body fell into the water
near the Eddystone lighthouse.
Bigbury Bay is ten miles southeast
of Plymouth, where the North German
Lloyd steamer Kaiser Wilhelm II. ar
rived June 20 from New York, having
on board F. Kent LOOMS, brother of
Assistant Secretary of State LOOMS.
Mr.. Loomis was missed at one o'clock
that morning and has not been heard
from since. He was charged by the
authorities at Washington to convey to
Abyssinia the treaty of commerce con-
cluded between the United States and
Emperor Menelik. Mr. Loomis Travelled
with William H. Ellis, of New York,
who, in view of the disappearance of the
former, took the treaty, which was
found in Mr.. Loomis' baggage, to Ads
Abeba, the Abyssinian capital.
Washington Hears News.
Washington, July 18.-It is stated at
the state department that ever since the
disappearance of f. Kent Loomis quiet
but far-reaching investigation has been
energetically conducted and is still be-
ing carried on. A great many details
have been ascertained, but no facts
tending to indicate the exact time or
manner of his disappearance from the
steamer of Mr.. Loomis.
AS soon as the press dispatch from
London was handed him, the assistant
secretary of state, Mr.. Francis LOOMS,
cabled to the American consul general
at London, Mr.. Evans, requesting him
to have the body carefully examined for
any marks of violence. The number of
the lost mans watch already has been
sent to the consul general, and if it
comedies with that found on the body
the Identification will be considered
complete and arrangements for sending
the body home will be made.
1t has long been the theory CT the rela-
tives of Kent LOOMS that he went upon
the hurricane deck to get glimpse of
the English shore and accidentally
stepped overheard.