Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
Examination of the Mangled Re.
mains Shows Skull Was
fractured.
THEN She WAS STRANGLED
Probable n Flat Iron was Used for
the Blow-The Husband Pleads Not
Guilty when Arraigncd for
Murdcr-Talk of Insnn-
lty Begun.

Boston, Mass, Sept. 4.-EvidenCe,
throwing new light on the probable man
ner in which Honorah Jordan of Somer-
Vile, known on the stage as Irene Shan
non. was killed. was gained to-day, 1t Is
said, by the medical examiners for Suf-
folk and Middlescx counties and sur
geons who have been performing an au-
topsy on the dismembcred body Of the
wife OF Chester S. Jordan
Jordan. In his confession to the police
last night said that his wife was killed
by being knocked down stairs at their
home in Somervile. and that he then cut
up her body and placed 1t in the trunk
in which IL was found yesterday by the
police on Hancock street. Boston. While
neither Medical Examiner G.. Il. McGrath
of Boston nor Medical Examiner T. II.
Durrcll of Somerv,lle will make public
their findings at present. It was learned
that the examination indicated that Mrs,
Jordan was struck with a blunt instru-
ment. possibly a flatiron on the head.
causing a fracture of the skull sufficient
to cause death. Then, It is alleged, she
was strangled
Jordan was arraigned in the Somerville
district court to-day and after pleading
not guilty TO charge of numbering his
wife. was taken to the East Cambridge
Jail to await a hearing on September II.
The court room was crowded when the
prisoner was brought In. Jordan showed
no signs OF nervousness and looked
quietly about tho room
you are charged with the murder Of
Your wife. Honorah Jordan" said Judge
Butler. Are YOU guilty or not guilty.
II am not guilty, your honor re-
piled Jordan calmly.
Counsel for the prisoner then asked
that the case be continued for one week
after which Jordan was escorted to his
cell.
THE CONFESSION.
As a result of his examination by the
police Mt the headquarters in this city
last night. he disclosed all'the appar-
entity important facts In connection with
the murder and gave the information
which led TO the discovery OF the thighs
and scalped head OF the murdered wo-
man-the only parts not contained in
the trunk-at his home at 5O9 Medford
street, Somervile. He also gave a plau-
sible reason In n remark by his wife.
which was melted. according to his
story. by her belief that he was I'M
! faithful. He stated that following her
er,ithet re struck her. knocking her
down n flight Of stairs He claimed that
! this blow was the only cause by which
| he is responsible. SO far as he knows,
for her death, as following his striking
her he remembered nothing until the
net morning when. on awakening he
found her body at tho foot of the stairs.
At this latter time however. his wife's
elo shp1 from n
| On this portion OF his confession the
police placed tho least credence and
their efforts in to-day's Investigation are
conferred in q search for another stronger
motive The evidence Of the gashing Of
the neck was plain and It was believed
that this caused the woman's death but
JorL IS denial of any knowledge Of this
act made the matter one for close atten-
| ton.
His story OF aphas!a following the blow
which knocked Mrs. Jordan down stairs
is also point upon which the police
have laid particular stress in their IN
structions to the medical examiner dur
| Ing tho latters examination OF Jordan
himself as It was supposed that he might
he victim of drugs. This latter idea he
| denies.
Attorney William S. Scharton. who has
been procured for he defense Of Jordan,
by his brother-in-law, Jesse L. Livermore,
the cotton market operator Of New York,
states that he already has evidence Of
Jordan's mental arrangement several
weeks before the murder and in this case
| the murderers insanity may account for
some OF the lapses In his confession al
! though as whole 1t was remarkably