The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-09-27
MURDERED GIRLS
BODY IDENTIFIED
DOCTOR AND NURSE ARRESTED
FOR DEATH OF EVA SWAN
ASSERT INNOCENCE.

San Francisco. Sept. 27.-The mutt
lated, acid eaten body, dug from the
cellar Of vacant house in Eureka
street, last night, was positively iden-
titled today by Mrs. Harry Weir as
that Of Eva Clara Swan, the Paso
Robles school teacher who disappeared
in April last. The identification elimi-
mates the element of mystery that
crept into the case when Mrs. Weir
said earlier in the day that clothing
found IN trunk, in which, the police
|elaTe, the body was taken to the
Eureka street house, was not that of
Miss Swan and that rings which the
police said had been taken from the
body had never been worn by the girl
Mrs Weir is proprietress OF the
rooming house at which the Swan girl
lived and her Identification today
after viewing the remains is accented
by the polcie as positive. Although The
features are marred by the gallons of
acid which was poured over it by those
who buried her. Mrs. Weir said there
was no doubt that the body was that
of Miss Swan.
How the girl came to her death is a
question the police have so far been
unable to solve. The autopsy physi-
clan, DR.. Glover, who examined the
body, found it in such a condition that
he said that he believed il would be
impossible to determine the cause of
death The police theory that an op-
GRAFTON may have been the cause of
death cannot be proved, DR.. Glover
holds, by any evidence which can be
secured from an examination of the
body. The acid destroyed any traces
of an operation, if any ever appeared
on the corpse.
Rancher to View Bodm
The cheekbones and the conforma-
ton of the lower jaw were the only
parts of the body affording positive
Identification. 1t is for this reason
that the police have accepted Mrs.
Weir's testimony as conclusive. An
other witness of equal importance. il
is said, however, will have chance to
examine the body and should his evil
dence confirm that of Mrs. Weir, the
detectives say the question of IDENTITY
win be settled.
This witness is Homer Hatch, a Paso
Robes rancher said to have long
known Eva Swan, and who, it is be-
lteved, could not be mistaken in iden-
tifying her. Although the detectives
worked hard on the case during the
day the evidence that was brought
forth had little effect on James Grant,
who is held pending an investigation.
or Marie Messerschmidt, a nurse en-
ployed by him, who is also under ar
rest
The police assert that they have
evidence that Eva Swan entered
Grants office on. the day of her disap-
pearance. They openly assert their
belief in the theory that Grant per
formed an operation which proved IA
tai, and that he buried the girl to
protect himself. The doctor today was
calm. He chatted and laughed with
the nurse when they were taken into
the photograph room, where their
measurements were taken. The ques-
tions of the police had little effect on
him. He denied that he knew any
thing about Eva SWANS death and his
story was not shaken. 4
Denies Charges Calmly.
Late today DR.. Grant was taken to
the Eureka street house and led over
the ground by detectives. He ans |
wered questions but never admitted |
any connection with the girls deach.
Tonight in his, cell he was still un- |
moved. calmly awaiting developments. J
Miss Messerschnidt did not appear 10 |
mind her connection with the case and |
treated her arrest lightly. She refused I
to answer any question.
Bernard Gordon the youth who fold
the police where the body was buried,