Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-09-28
STATUS OF GRISWOLD
MURDER MYSTERY

Des Moinas, Sept. 23.--The meager
facts in the Griswold case, probably
Des Moiaes' greatest murder mys-
terry, point out that:
At 6 o'clock last Saturday morn
ing the body of man was taken
from the Des Moines river short
distance below the junction OF the.
Des Moines and the Raccoon. 1t had,
evidently been in the water from
two to three days, as It was badly
infiltrated.
The arms were tied behind the
back with small rope, which tightly
bound the wrists, and was tied In o.
bowknot. The clothing, contents of
pockets and ring on one finger were
recognized as belonging to George r.,
Griswold The body itself was In,
such condition that a positive iden-
tifcation could not be made from an
examination OF the features.
An autopsy showed no bullet or
knife wounds on the body, no bruises
or Commissions except slight bruise
over one eye. There was no evidence
OF poison in the stomach, heart and
lungs were In good condition, no
water on lungs and no blood clot on
brain.
The only things known to be mis-.
sing from his person were a watch
and red leather pocketbook contain
Ing about $50 in money, which Girls
void was said to have had with him
when last seen. His hat and valise
were missing. Three pockets We're
found turned inside out when the
body was turned over to the author
tiles.
Griswold found to have been mis-
sing since Tuesday night. Had
stated his intention of leaving for
Omaha at 1855 o'clock Wednesday
morning. Seen on the streets at a
late hour Tuesday night. Name
"Griswold, City," found on register at
Munger's hotel, corresponds with his
handwriting. Clerk remembers name
being signed and showing man to
room No. 20 shortly after IL o'clock.
but cannot identify man, as he did
not know Grlswold. Not known when
man left room,
The surmises are many and are
based in every instance on hypoth-
eses. They are:
The suicide theory: Several mo-
tiyes to sustain this. His transact
ions In connection with bank kit
Ing" schemes had reached crisis
which threatened his dealings. Ills
personal finances were In bad condi-
ton, although his accounts with his
company were straight. He carried
approximately $4,000 OF insurance
which would revert to his family In
case OF death.
Objections to the theory are al
most incontrovertible. The fact that
there was no water on the lungs IL
circumstantial, though not positive
evidence that death occurred before
the body was placed In the water.
The disappearance of his missing
effects would remain unexplained. IL
would have been impossible for him
to have tied his hands In the position
in which they were found. This must
have been done by another. His act
ions Immediately preceding his dis
appearance Indicate that he was con-
templating no such deed.
Natural death theory: Possible
that he might have died suddenly
while In company with some woman
or other person who would have been
compromised by having the body
found on his or her hands. In such
case every effort would be made to
hide the body so as to make 1t APP
pear like violent death. This would .
account for the rope on the hands,
the absence of marks Of violence, anu
the surmise that death occurred be-
fore the body was placed In the
river. Condition Of heart and lungs.
however, dispose of tho possibility Of .
heart failure or apoplexy. s,
Murder theory: IL murdered for
money might have been done In one
OF the many dark places In the vlcin-
ity Of the Rock Island depot Motive
found In draft for $4,000, which he
was known to have carried some days
previously, and which, while not
good, might have been considered SO
by assassins. Or motive might con-
sist in Griswold's possession of pa
pers which might incriminate some
one This would account for the dis.
appearance OF the mysterious pack
age which he was supposed to have
had with him on fatal night.
To defeat the murder theory, how
ever. are number OF seemingly in
surmountable facts. 1t is improbable
that his hands could have been tied
behind him without resistance In
which he would have been injured or
knocked insensible, yet his body
shows no marks Of violence. No man
ner Of bringing about death is appar-
ent. II cast in the river after death,
the rope would have been removed
from his hands in order to give the
appearance Of suicide In case the body
was found Murderers would un-
doubtedly have used some means in
bringing about death which could be
more easily discovered.