Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-01
Sheriff to Trace Graft, Linked
with Snodgrass Case, through
Lake Champlain.
CAUSE OF DEATH UNKNOWN
Experiments with Dummy to See
If Nurses Body Could Have
Floated to Where
Found.

Catskill. n. Y. July 3O-Practically
nothing of Importance resulted from the
ooroner's inquest held late this afternoon
into the mysterious death of Miss Dorcas
I. Snodgrass. the Mount Vernon nurse
whose dead body was found in Du Bots
creek here Sunday. The county and vii
lage officials continued their investiga-
ton all day but tonight the cause Of
Miss Snodgrass's death remained un-
known. The authorities are still in doubt
as to whether murder accident or sui
eide seems most probable.
The principal development to-day was
the departure of Sheriff Abram Post for
a trip up the Champlain canal. and
through Lake Champlain in search of a
cabin yacht, May, which anchored in
the mouth of the Catskill creek July IS,
less than 90 hours after Miss Snodgrass
disappeared, and which left the follow
ing Monday morning for the Thousand
Islands.
District Attorney Harry Wilbur said to-
night that he did not think the people on
this boat were in any way connected with
the tragedy, but that Sheriff Post had
started for her in the hope that some of
the occupants might have seen an I'M
known craft entering Du Bots creek. The
district attorney said his attention was
drawn to the presence of the May by
Harry 3. Morris. a local laundry man.
who said he thought he had Numbered a
crash skirt similar to the one worn by
Miss Snodsrass. for one of the occupants
of the boat Investigation of this infor-
nation red to the knowledge of the dates
the district attorney said that. although
he did not entertain suspicion of the
Mays owners. he thought he might learn
something OF value from them. The May
is said to belong to G. L. Woehler of New
Rochelle.
NO EVIDENCE OF VIOLENCE.
The inquest to-day only served to make
certain a number OF heretofore debat-
able points. It was brought out that there
was not the slightest evidence Of vio-
lence on Miss Snodgrasss body. that
there were no stabs or bullet wounds. no
signs OF choking and. as far as could be
ascertaincd, without the use Of a high
power microscope. nothing that would in
dicate poisoning. This briefly sums up
the testimony of DIR. Robert Selden, the
ooroner's physician. who performed an
autopsy last evening.
Other witnesses to-day were NJ. I. Sill
verstcin. police lieutenant of Mount
Vernon, and Charles Halenbeck, local
boatnan who helped tow the body ashore.
James Young Of Easton, Pa. who found
the body gave written deposition which
was read into the record.
Lieutenant Silverstein testified that Miss
Sp
in Mount Vernon. and that he had never
heard Of her having violent disagree
ments'' with her sister, MRS. John L.
Crder. He also stated that three years
ago Miss Snodgrass was reported engaged
to Wesley Hawkins of Mount Vernon, but
added that he did not know when or
why the engagement terminated He de-
clared that he had never seen Miss
Snodgrass in company with DR.. Norman
II. Smith. the house physician at the
Mount Vernon hospital. who resigned
about the time Miss Snodgrass disappear
ed on July Il and who is now abroad.
TESTS MADE WITH DUMMY.
Working upon the theory that Miss
Snodgrass's body might possibly have
floated in from the Hudson. District At
torney Wilbur to-day tried an expert
ment with a dummy. A suit of clothes
tightly packed with excelsior was placed
In the Catskll creek just at the mouth
OF the Du Bots creek. The incoming tide
carried the dummy up Du Bots creek to
the first bend where 1t lodged After be-
ing set afoat twice. each time becoming
entangled IN the reeds and marsh grass 1t
was finally again placed In the center of
the stream. Then the tide carried 1t up
the creek about three-fourths OF the dis
lance from the mouth Of the place where
the body was found, near the fifth bend.
The ebb tide returned 1t a short distance
when it again lodged in a bend in the
stream. Here It was left for the night
Its further progress will be noted.
Local rivermen say that the test
showed nothing as they point out. the
dummy should have been placed In the
Cetskill creek at the junction with the
Hudson, and not in the mouth Of the
Du Bols creek where 1t Joins the Cats
kill at right angles. They also de-
clare that the absence of driftwood
along the shores Of Du Bois creek tends
to show that the tide does not carry
objects there as a general rule.
District Attorney Wilbur admitted
that the test was "unsatisfactory" but
added that he still held to the theory
that the body foated up the creek.
AUTOPSY RESULT WEEKS OFF.
Coroner Vandenbury announced this
afternoon that the final result of the
autopsy might not he known for several
weeks on account Of the chemical anal
ysis. To-day's inquest was adjourned
pending the experts report on this. "or."
as the coroner explained. until further
developments warrant its continuance
sooner"
Miss Snodgrass's body was shipped to
Mount Vernon at 1856 y. M. In u sealed
casket. 1t will probably be taken to
Martlnsburg tomorrow for interment
James Young of Easton. Pa. the sum-
covered the body of the missing nurse,
said tonight that he would make formal
application tomorrow tor the $500 re-
ward offered by the young woman's
brother
NO DOUBT OF DROWNING.
Albany, n. Y. July 30.-Dr. J. II. Room
ey, one of the physicians who assisted in
Monday nights autopsy over the body OF
Miss Snodgrass and who is one of the
experts making n chemical analysis of
the fluids taken from her body, tonight
sne mad met her death by drowning.
1--WE are trying to ascertain II a dru
were administered before her body g.
As-AA TIA Eatax." hA aaiA.