The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-05-18
VANDERBILT GIRLS
DROWNING NOW
DEEPENS MYSTERY
Body of Beautiful Princeton liz
brarian Found in the Rar-
ifan Canal.
IspeeIal to the Evening star. l

PRINCETON, May 1S.-Dr. W. G.
Chase, uncle of Miss Bertha Wander
bilt the beautiful young assistant
/ librarian of Princeton University,
whose body was found floating in the
Raritan Canal today, now declares
that the girl WAS either attacked By
unknown persons or was the victim
of an unfortunate accident. He is pos
tive that she did not commit suicide.
The Princeton police authorities.
however, declare that Miss Vanderbilt
made away with herself. They have
learned from several of her friends
that she had acted strangely when
she disappeared Inst wednesday; that
she was worried over her engagement
to young man at her home In Ann
sterdam, n. ", and that her parents
opposed this match.
Word of the discovery of the body
was sent to Coroner ]. r. ID. Bower, of
Trenton and he came TO Princeton at
noon, prepared TO take charge of the
Mercer County end Of the case.
The identification of the body was
made by DR.. w. G. Chase, an uncle
who lives in Trenton. DR.. Chase said
he was of the opinion that she had
fallen into the water while walking
along the canal, or was attacked and
thrown in. He said he did not believe
that she committed suicide because Of
her love affair. Her father is in Prince
ton. He believes, however, that death
was accidental
Kept Engagement from Father.
Miss Vanderbilt was 10 have gone
home next Monday, and was expected
to he married soon afterwards. IL N
said she had confded 10 Princeton
friends that she was worried over her
fathers opposition TO the man of her
choice, and was greatly concerned as
To how he would take the engagement,
OF which she had not informed him.
She went with university student
on Tuesday evening to hear the class
singing on the college campus, and 1t
was noticed then that she was unusual
ly quiet and seemingly preoccupied.
Previous to the finding of her body
this morning there was a theory that
the girl had been Kidnapped, Mrs. Nj.
r. Robinson, who lives near the canal
saw two men and an automobile near
the place where the girl is supposed to
have gone walking on Wednesday eve
ming and it was thought by many that
she had been spirited away in this ma
chine BY others it was thought that
she had been the victim of some of the
foreigners living in the vicinity of the
canal bridge.
The authorities are still investigating
the case, and it is expected that an in
quest will be held In the meantime,
the body will be prepared for burial
and win be shipped to Amsterdam as
soon as possible.
Canoeists Find Body.
Miss Vandcrbilt's body was found in
the Raritan Canal by William Belke, of
14S Sherman avenue. and j. Milwood
Salt of 1883 Indiana avenue, both of
Trenton, who were canoeing between
this city and Kingston.
The body bore no marks indicating
violence Her parents and other reia-
tives believe that she may have fallen
into the canal while attempting to cross
narrow bridge over which she fire.
quently went for a walk They say,
however. that there is still possi-
bility that she was attacked while
walking alone and thrown into the
water.