Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-08
BODY OF PREACHER
: HACKED INTO BITS
CHARRED PARTICLES OF MINIS
TIERS BODY ARE FOUND NEAR
STOVE IN HIS CHURCH NEAR
DETROIT, MICH.

STOVE IN HIS CHURCH NEAR
DETROIT. MICH.
Detroit. Jan. with rumors OF ev-
cry description and stories OF all sorts
floating about the countryside today near
Columbus township. where dismember-
81 body was found yesterday afternoon
stuffed IN the Methodist church. there Is
not one positive development toward
soiving the mystery which shrouds the
crime.
Suspicion at the. accuracy OF the identi-
ncation Of the bJSy as the Rev. John a.
Carmichael. Of Adir. developed today.
Iany OF the people living about the
neighborhoOd expressed doubt that II IS
the minister.
But two men are missing from the
neiEhbOrhOo6.t the Rev. Carmichael and
Gideon Browning. carpenter. who lived
near the minister. With only the trunk
81 the body and part OF the jawbone and
The false tcech left 20 offer possibility
Of Identification. the sheriff made the
statement to-day that he did not consider
the identity OF tie victim clearly estab-
IiShed.
There had never been any serious troU-
BE between Browning and the minister,
SO far as Is known In fact they are re-
QuentIy driving about together.
A Suspicious Clew
Tuesday Browning left a Grand Trunk
train at the nearby village Of Hickey and
! inquired the way 70 the Methodist church
In Coaumbus township. He said TO two
difTerert men that he had an appoint
ment here with a man. c. o. Conat
rural mail carrier and Thomas Calvin
walker part Of the way TO the church
In "a rr1anr at =
male no mistake in directions
! No reason IS known why Rev. Car
michael should have gone 10 the church
ess he had an appointment there
be discovery was made after the dead
ister's wife alarmed ever his absence.
IN a search.
carmichae, had been in Michigaa
{ ten years. and for two years had
pastor OF the three churches at
mbus Adair and China. With his
and three children. he resided at
r. Leaving home yesterday morning
old Ms Carmichael that he was go
70 Columbus 70 arrange for series
evival meetings there.
Waved Goodbye
waved his hand affectionateIy TO
soup OF children as he drove out OF
village OF Adair. and from that mo-
all trace OF him Is lost
yron Brown. who lives near the
OF the tragedy. was the first to
yer the crime today. While he
waiting at the crossroads TO keep
pOintment. the cold wind drove
seek shelter in the church. He
Eprised to find the church doors
and upon opening them was
see the church toOr. the pews
Myen the communion table daubed
IL blood and fragments OF bloody cloth
ing scattered all around Evidently the
clergyman. who was IS years old. and Of
athletic build. had made a terrific strug
gle for his life
The authorities on their arrival at the
church. found parts OF the dismembere7
body In the two stoves located respec-
lively at the front and rear. and discov-
cred in one stove the head OF what was
apparently a new Ratchet. the handle OF
which had been burned OF. 5ilimEzT a.
m csufrr. 80
Asrsf that the dirk served for
der. while the hatchet was used 20 cN
body to pieces.
Killed by Pervert
The belief is growing that the butcher
a ing OF the unonending preacher was the
act OF a pervert. as there is no indica-
ton whatever OF any motive for the
crime aside from an overpOwering lust
Tor blood. Il has been pointed out that
the Carmichael tragedy occurred within
two miles Of the place where a few years
ago John Staley was found murdered.
The mystery OF Staley'E death was new
er solved. He was found dead In a cul-
vert. with his back riddled by shot, slugs.
bullets and various bits OF scrap metal
The authorities are tracing the move
ments OF a half-witted man. who lives in
the district where the crime was commit
ted. They are at the same time following
the clue regarding the stranger who ar
rived at Hickey yesterday, and was d.
rscted 20 the Columbus church.
Identified by Glasses
one OF the principal means OF identin-
cation OF the minister's mutilated body
was his spectacles. found in a case mark
ed with his name and lying among the
blood-stained fragments OF his clothing
on the floor OF the church.
Dn Hanson, Of Port Huron, the county
physician. who accompanied Sheriff Wag-
ensen and Prosecutor Brown TO the scene
Of the murder. took charge of the bones
found In the stove.
Dr. Hanson said tonight that while the
trunk OF the body was comparatively lit
lie burned, the only bones OF the limbs
that could be recognized were a forearm
and a femur. The base OF the skull also
was recovered