The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-14
true CONDITIONS
OF GIRLS DEATH
Coroner Declares Jury Knew
Facts When 1t Returned
Verdict.
ARRESTS EXPECTED TO-DAY
Body of Miss Hawkins Will Not
Be Exhumcd, but Investi-
CATION Continues.

Hendersonville. N. c., September
tonight by Coroner w. r. Kirk that
Myrtle Hawkins. whose body was
found in Lake osceola, Sunday, died
as the result OF an unlawful operation.
The coroner's jury. which gave a YER
dict of death from unknown causes"
knew this fact at the time of the in
quest. but made It's finding indefinite,
in order to allay suspicion OF the
girls slayer. and make easier the de-
lection of the criminal, Coroner Kirk
stated tonight.
1t was only after a storm OF crit
coroner revealed the true situation.
and announced that another inquest
would be held Friday. Miss Haw-
kins's body will not be exhumed. he
said. as this was considered unnec-
essary. There were rumors tonight
that an arrest would follow on Thurs
day.
Coroner Kirk tonight admitted that
the autopsy revealed the true condi-
tons which led to the young woman's
death. After a conference with Dr. A.
B. Crafts, of this city, who assisted
at the autopsy. 1t was decided then
that an indefinite verdict should be
given. in order to lull into a feeling
of fancied security the slayer of Miss
Hawkins, and thus assist in tho cap
ture.
Reward for Murderer.
In addition to the rewards already
offered, the Henderson county authort-
ties will offer $500 for the arrest of
Miss HawkIns's murderer, and the cit
iHons of Hendersonvilie will raise
fund.
There is no longer any mystery CON
corning the cause of the death OF
Miss Hawkins.
At the second inquest to be held to-
morrow testimony will be brought out
concerning several suspected parties.
Detectives are at work on the case
and the woods surrounding the lake
are being carefully searched for the
spot where the tragedy occurred. The
young girl died during an operation
and the body was left exposed to the
elements and weather for several
d Us before being carried to the edge
of tne lake. where 1t was discovered
on Sunday morning. The post-mortem
examination disclosed the cause of
death. and told the tale of the crime
Citizens of Hendersonville are de-
manding that the officers get busy
and bring to punishment the murder
ers of the unfortunate girl
To-day subscription was circulated
for funds to offer reward of $1,000.
The county and State officials also
have been called upon to add to this.
For three days the police did practi-
crlly nothing. but they are busy now.
and young married man is under
suspicion, along with a young ply
stefan. More than one person must
have been concerned in this double
crime. The officers are almost sure
that they can locate the principal
figure, and arrests are expected within
the next twenty-four hours
Evidences of Operation.
The unfortunate girl left home
Thursday, carrying with her long
cloak. When the body was found.
badly decomposed. It was wrapped In
this long coat. The post-mortem eN-
animation developed evidences of the
crime. Death may have resulted from
shock or from the anesthetic
The perpetrators possibly did not in
tend murder. but when the worst hap
pened they hid the body of the girl
until a more convenient time. when It
was placed in the lake in the hope that
the community would call it suicide.
The people OF this county are de-