The Minneapolis journal., 1906-07-13

. -G-5a- =
most unconsciously each man gave his
verdict as guilty.
In a moment more the county attor-
ney and Police Superintendent Doyle
were again looking into the box, which
was filled with papers and small arti-
cles. Convinced that Riggs was mur-
derer who would dare hide his plunder
in q vault in the heart Of the city
moment after the crime, nothing fur
ther could have been found that could.
have caused excitement. The remain
der Of the ,seach, except to the police,
was the mere satisfying Of curiosity.
Ring Taken from Dying Girl.
The contents of the box were emptied
on that table and with the paper and
money a gold watch and gold band
ring rolled out on the table, These
were at once examined, and inside Of
the ring were the initials 'fN. NJ. R.n
for Nathan M. Riggs.
fThat ring was taken from Millis
EIlison's finger the moment after Riggs
struck her with the hammer" ex-
claimed Detective James Howard, who
had carefully examined the woman .
fingers after her death.
He then told how one Of the Vic
Tins fingers were torn and the mark
Of the ring was still visible In spite Of
the flames that had scorched her body.
This ring he said was torn from her
finger by the murderer to prevent its
being found by the police and giving
slight clue to her or his identity. Years
ago Riggs gave this ring to the woman,
and in planning for the murder he had
not overlooked the little things that
ther than this it showed the deliberate
manner in which the crime was COM
mitted and pictured to the minds Of
every one who saw 1t, just what went
on in the room after the murderer had
struck the blow.
Another present to Miss Ellison was
the gold watch which was found with
the ring. It was also in possession Of
the victim at the time Of the murder,
and to prevent it's every being recog-
nized by her parents or friends it was
taken with the other things and locked
up. Miss Ellison had worn this watch
FLOR many years, and cherished it as she
did all the other presents from the man
who for years had planned on her death.
Every move that the police have
made in uncovering this horrible crime
bungler, and that he had taken wise
/ precautions to protect himself in case
of any exposure.
Girls Pathetic Letter.
Even the things found in the box
proved this, and especially letter
which was found among the papers con-
tained in it.
The letter was written by Miss Eli
son to Riggs in April, 1908, and was
for the purpose of showing someone
probably an indignant wife-that he
was interested in her only in busi-
ness way. It simply said that she and
Riggs were not engaged, never had
been and that their relations were SIM
3 ply in business way.
+ At the time the letter was written
it is known that Riggs was having
trouble with his wife over his atten.
tions to Miss Ellison. He compelled
her to make this statement, probably
against her will. It is also known that
shortly after this letter was dated, the
trouble between Riggs and his wife was
patched up, undoubtedly due to this
letter.
The way the letter was worded shows
; that 1t was not voluntary, but written
at his dictation, and further proves the
!; assertion Of the people Of Ellsworth
!, who saw that the man had absolute
: and even hypnotic control over her,
Riggs evidently expected more trouble
in the future, for the letter had been
kept long after it had served its first
purpose. The power Of Riggs over his
i Continued on Cd Page. 4th Column.