The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-11
BODY OF WENTz
TAKEN To PIECES.
AT THE C0R0NER'S INQUEST.
BULLET HAD SPED THROUGH THE
VITAL ORGANS.

What Was Found by the COrOner's
Made Up-Detectives Made n Thor
OuEh ExnminatiOn-VieNv Differ
as TO Whether IL Was "a Case of
Accident, Murder or Suicide-Re-
mains Go Home.
Bristol, Va, May 10.-The shrunken
and decayed body of Edward L. Wentz
was literally taken to pieces this aft
ernoon by physicians and detectives in
the course of the coroner's inquest,
which was begun at o'clock in the
was closed without a verdict by the
coming of night.
At 1880 o'clock the coroner's jury
was adjourned until $50 o'clock to-
morrow morning, when the session will
likely be held at Stonega and many
witnesses will be heard,
The startling feature of the inquest
was the discovery of 32 calibre pistol
ball in the body, which might have
been discharged from the empty pistol
feet from the remains. The ball had
passed through the fifth rib, entering
in front, had penetrated the heart, a
back rib and lodged in the muscles
of the back. one and half inches
from the spine. Several holes were
found in the clothing other than where
the bullet entered, but beneath them
the body was found intact.
Right Hand Was Missing.
The right hand was found missing
and was probably borne away by wild
beasts \ white pearl button, which
could not have belonged to the MUIR
dered man, was found near. There is
little doubt but that the ball penetrat-
ed the heart, as the physicians found
evidence of hemorrhage in that por-
ton of the body and an immense
amount of blood congested back of the
lungs.
Detectives on the scene made care
full examination of the pistol finding it
to be a Smith & Wesson No $1,000.
Two cartridges were on either side OF
the hammer, but the chamber under
the hammer contained an empty shell
as well as the two lower chambers. A
loaded cartridge of 80 calibre was
found seven feet from the body Many
articles in his pockets were found in
tact
At the conclusion of to-day's inquest
it was decided that nothing further
could be gained by holding the body
here longer, consequently the special
train which brought the brothers OF
the dead man, physicians and detec-
| tiVes to the scene this afternoon will
| leave at 4 o'clock Wednesday morning
over the Virginia and Southwestern
Railroad for Bristol, where it will
make connection at 8 o'clock with a
train for the East over the Norfolk
| and Western. The remains will oc.
cupy the front section of the private
car in which the party will travel.
Accident, Murder, Suicidef
F. P. Dimaio. superintendent of TIT
| Pinkerton detective agency of Philadel
| phia, who accompanied the Went
brothers to the scene. will not return
but remains to make a thorough hives
tigation. following the verdict of thu
| coroner's jury.
1t was stated to-day by persons close
to the Wentz boys that the question o.
reward will be settled as to the amount
and time of payment after the verdict
| is rendered. The terms of the Offer
standing for the past month are sale
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 opin-
| ion as to the cause of Wentzs death
whether accidental. suicide OF murder
Tonight many believe it was suicide.