The Washington herald., 1911-05-01

bit Of evidence. Also the shoe Of the
right foot had been slit over the Join,
Of the big toe indicating that the wearer
had suffered with a bunion This. both
Mr.. Chew and Mr.. Gray. said DR.. Gray
had often complained OF. and he always
cut the leather.
When found both the coat and vest
were missing. together with the collar.
although the necktie was found around
the stump of neck. In the trousers
pockets were found two knives, one a
large pearl-handled affair with seven
blades, and a small bone-handled one
with two blades. Two keys on a key
ring were also in the pocket
OF DR.. Gray's valuable watch and
wallet containing a large sum of money,
not the slightest trace was obtainable.
He carried the money in his coat and
vest pockets. but the timepiece he wore
In the hip pocket Of his trousers A
stained black four-in-hand tie, a pair of
brown socks. and lightweight under
wear. ooze-soaked, completed his attire.
How DR.. Gray Came to his death will
perhaps forever remain a mystery, al
though to-day rigid police investiga-
ton will begin. Coroner hewitt said last
night that an inquest would be held this
morning and all available witnesses sum-
moned to face the jury The police were
unwilling. until more facts can be
brought to light, to advance an opinion
or even a theory as to the mode Of death.
whether the aged man met with foul
play and his head severed to make identi-
hcation puzzling, or whether he was ac-
cidentally drowned while rambling
around the creek. That he committed
suicide is not considered likely. notwith-
standing the fact that he was considered
by his friends to be slightly demented.
Police Advance Theories.
1t is possible. the police say. that the
body might have been caught in the
decapitated. Again the theory was ad-
vanced that an Immersion Of eight weeks
in the water would have had the same
effect although this is regarded as highly
improbable in view of the circumstances.
The body was horribly swollen and de-
composed. but not enough, in the opin-
ion of the authorities. to have caused the
head 10 drop from the shoulders.
Dr. Gray, aged and infirm, might have
accidentally fallen into the water and
as the place is lonely and the nearest
houses are several blocks away. drowned
like a rat in a trap. On the other hand.
If this was the case. 1t seems improbable
that his coat and vest, together with the
pletely vanished.
II he committed suicide, he would not
have gone to the trouble Of taking of
his coat and vest, thrown his watch
away. and hidden his money. The fact
that the knives and keys were found
showed that he did not fear his body
might become identified. presuming that
he sought death Intentionally and never
wanted 1t to become known.
To-day Rock Creek, in the vicinity Of
the spot where the corpse was found,
will be dragged thoroughly. in an ef-
fort to locate the head. Failing In this.
and acting on the theory that he was
murdered and the missing member hid
den in the woods or buried, searching
parties will scour the woods in the neigh
borhood. Nothing will be left undone to
ascertain how the man came to his end.
Vanished Like Smoke.
1t is one Of the most mysterious cases
on record in the police history Of Wash
ington. DR.. Gray vanished like a skein
Of smoke. and until his body was found
yesterday, nothing definite could be
learned and the finding Of the grisly
remains only adds to the mystification.
Mr.. Chew offered $500 reward. had
pictures of the druggist made. and to-
gether with circulars describing him
most minutely. these were sent by Maj.
Sylvester to nearly every city and village
In the East, from New Orleans to Can
ada Mai Sylvester took a personal in
terest in the case on account Of the