Evening journal., 1904-05-19
MYSTERY OF
HAND DEEPENS
History of Severed Member
Found in Old Trunk
Cannot be Traced
INDICTED FOR ATTEMPT MURDER
speelal 10 The Evening Journal.

Special to The Evening Journal.
New Castle, May 19.-The mystery
surrounding the history of the human
hand found among the effects OF the
late Levi Collins Is Increasing.
The box containing the hand was
bought by John Wade, a colored man,
who lives but "A few doors from Collins
former home on North Second street.
While searching through the contents
OF the box Wade came across some
thing wrapped in an old knit wooden
bag. 1t felt hard to the touch, so he
examined II and discovered that 1t was
a hand, evidently that Of a woman,
but whether she was white or colored
Is only a matter Of surmise.
II didn't want the thing about me"
said Wade, 80 gave It to Dr. Kuntz.
The doctor did not have any particular
use for such a relic, so he wrapped it
in an old newspaper and placed 1t in
a blacking cabinet"
In trying to trace the ownership of
the hand but little could be learned
1t Is supposed that the box in which
ii was found originally belonged to
John White, who was known to dab
bic in the mystic arts of the hoodoo
however is not positively fixed, for
there were some things among the lot
which formerly belonged to Alfred
White. Acquaintances of the latter re-
cognized some of the stuff as having
formerly belonged to Alfred Along
with this were several bones such as
hoodoo doctors use to cast their spells
and IL is thought that the hand may
hu hnl ],
man remnants.
Many years ago John White left
New Castle and went TO Frankford
Philadelphia. where he lived for some
time. Before he died he returned 10
this city and brought his worldly
goods with him. Alfred White was a
relative of Johns and lived in Phila-
delphia for several years
John built house below the dyke
near the sluice. Here he lived until
u part of the bank gave way one
night and the latter carried the house
across the marsh to the Wilmington
road.
Alfred White was here only a short
time, but many citizens remember him.
1t does not appear that John was i'm
the habit I dispensing his black art
to members of his race who were in
trouble and needed his ministrations,
but that he was fully prepared to do
so is amply shown by the books which
he had bearing on this mysterious sub
ject. Volumes yellow with age and
covered with mold and the accumu-
lated dust Of years were uncovered at
the sale. All the formulas for calling
up the powers of darkness were found
In these books. They were disposed of
to bidders who were ignorant Of their
nature. They may be heard from
later.
New Castle Cases in Court.
Benjamin Denn. of South Third
street, was indicted yesterday on the
charge of assault and attempting to
murder John Ries, of the Atlantic Ho-
tel
Harry Jordan, whom Or. Kuntz
hailed before the court in such a sum-
mary manner for trying to jump his
bail, was found guilty Of carrying
concealed deadly weapons and was
sentenced to twenty days in the work.
house.
Merchandise at Auction.
The stock in the store Of the late
David w. Elkinton, on Delaware
street, was put up at auction yester-
| day and considerable Of it disposed
Of. The sale was continued today and
Will go on until the merchandise is dis
posed of. Many people have availed
themselves Of the opportunity to secure
bargains as many Of the articles went
for low prices.
Held at Quarantine.
The schooner Madeline Cooney from
Fernandina, Florida. is being detain.
ed at Reedy Island by the nationa
quarantine authorities on account o
one Of the crew being down witt
smallpox.
Timely Topics.
The Samuel p. Roberts property ha
been purchased by John H. Rodney a
sheriff sale for $780,
George Hastings and Henry Poo
have returned from a trip to Columbus
Ohio, where they went in search o
/ employment.
The first sturgeon caught here thi
spring was landed by William Raine,
and Robert Jamison. The fish was
large one, and was sold at Pennsvin
for $40.