The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-11
MANY BELIEVE
IT WAS SUICIDE
Inquest Held Over the BOdy'oi
{ l. Wtntl
BULLET FOUND NEAR SPINE
There lie Every Evidence That Ball
Pierced the Heart-PistoI ls
Found Near the
Body.
BULLET FOUND NEAR SPINE

Bristol, Va, May 10.-The shrunken and
decayed body of Edward L. Wentz was
literally taken TO pieces this afternoon
by the physicians and dectitives in the
course OF the coroner's inquest which was
begun at o'clock in the dark cavern
OF Black mountain. and was closed with
out verdict by the command of night.
At 1880 p. IN. the jury was adjourned
until s:30 tomorrow morning when the
session will likely be held at Big Stone
Gap and many witnesses Will be heard,
The startling feature OF the inquest to-
day made was the discovery of a s2-cali-
bre pistol bullet In the body which might
have been discharged from the empty
pistol of the same calibre found eighteen
feet from the remains. The ball had pass
ed through the fifth rib, entering in
'front.' had penetrated the heart and
lodged in the muscles of the back, or,e
and half inches from the spine. Several
holes were found In the clothing. other
than where bullets entered, but beneath
them the body was found intact. The
right hand was found missing and was
probably torn away by wild beasts. A
white pearl button which could not have
belonged to the murdered man was found
near. There Is little doubt but that the
ball penetrated the heart as the physi-
clans found evidence of hemorrhage in
that portion of the body and an immense
amount of blood congested back OF the
lungs.
Careful Examination Made.
Detectives on the scene made careful
examination of the pistol, finding 1t to bo
a Smith &s Wesson. No. s5-0-5o Two cart
ridges wee on either side of the hammer,
but the chamber under the hammer con-
tanned an empty shell. as well as the two
loaded chambers. A loaded artridge OF
80 calibre vas found seven feet from tho
body.
Many articles in his pockets were found
intact.
At the conclusion Of today's inquest 1t
was decided that nothing further could be
gained by holding the body here longer.
The special train will leave at o'clock
Wednesday morning over the Virginia and
Southwestern railroad for Bristol Va.
where 1t will make connection at o'clock
with a train for the east over the Nor
folk and Western. The remains will oc-
cupy the front section Of the private car
in which the party will travel.
Detective VIII Remain.
s. p. Dimaio, superintendent of the
Pinkerton detective agency of Phlladel-
phia. who accompanied the Wentz broth
ers to the scene, will not return, but re-
mains to make a thorough investigation
following the verdict of the coroner .
jury.
1t was stated by persons close to the
Wentz boys that the question of reward
will be settled as to the amount and time
OF payment after the verdict Is rendered.
The terms of the standing offer of tho
past month are said to be a Suitable
reward" instead of a specified amount.
The most intense excitement prevails,
and at the inquest this afternoon there
were 500 people gathered. There Is a
great difference of opinion as to the cause
OF Wentzs death, whether accidental.
suicide or murder Tonight many believe
It was suicide.