The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-09-15
Not Considered Necessary 10 Ex-
hume Myrtle Hawkins Bodily
MAKE THOROUGH INQUIRY
Hal Cooper, Afiianced Husband Of
Victim, Arrives at Hendersonville: !:
to Aid In Search, But Throws no
Light on MISREPRESENTATION De-
velopments Expected Soon.

Hendersonyille, Sept. 14-Positive
announcement was made last night
by Coroner w. r. Kirk that Myrtle
Hawkins. whose body was found in
Lake Oseeola Sunday, died as the re-
suit of an unlawful operation. The
soroner's jury. which gave a verdict
OF death from unknown causes"
knew this fact at the time OF the in
quest, but made their finding indefi-
mite in order to allay suspicion of the
girls slayer, and make easier the de-
lection of the criminal, Coroner Kirk
stated. 1t was only after a storm
of criticism from the general public
that the coroner revealed the true
situation and announced that an
other inquest would be held Friday.
Miss Hawkins body will not be ex-
humed, he said, as this was consid-
cred unnecessary. There were
rumors last night that an arrest
would follow Fridays inquest, at
which additional evidence will be
presented.
Coroner Kirk admitted that the
autopsy revealed the true condition
which led to the young woman's
death. After a conference with DR..
A. B. Crafts, of this city, who as
sisted at the autopsy, 1t was de-
lcided then that an indefinite verdict
should be given in order to lull in
TO q feeling of fancied security the
slayer Of Miss Hawkins and thus
assist in the capture.
Bungling work indicates that the
Operation was not done by physician.
The grasity of the affair Is Increased
by the theory held by the authorities
that the girl, though probably doomed
to die, might have lived several days
after the operation. and death was
Ipreclpitated by chloroform or she was
choked.
II appears, however, that the au-
thorities are still at loss as to the
identity OF the murderer. Chief OF
Police Garren stated today: Il can
not find out who killed the girl"
There are rumors OF important evil
dence. There Is doubt II any real de-
tectiyes have not been on the case. At
the new inquest held tomorrow, Soli-
citor Johnson will assist In the inves-
tigation.
A stenographer will be present az
this second inquest and a most COM
prehensiye inquiry conducted. Any
one suspected OF knowledge OF the
girls movements on Thursday will
be called before the Jury. The list
includes many prominent people.
Mr.. Hal Cooper, the aalanced hus-
band Of the murdered girl. arrived
rere yesterday from johnson City,
Tenn. He was met at the depot by a
married sister OF the dead girl. who
|strenuously objected to Mr.. Cooper
talking 10 newspaper man, and was
driven directly TO the family resi-
dence. He will appear at the eoro-
ner's second inquest.
Mr.. Cooper expressed a perfect
willingness to tell all he knew, but
his frank answers TO the many ques-
tions asked him shed no light on the
mystery. He said he came to Hen
Jacksonville as soon as possible after
the killing OF his fiancee. He earn
estly opposed the theory Of suicide
and naturally appears highly wrought
up over the terrible death OF his
sweetheart.
The days developments are these:
The operation was performed. not in
the woods surrounding the lake, but
was performed in a residence at no
great distance from the lake where
the body was found. and the detec-
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