The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-09
Gotham's Latest Crime
Develops Startling
Revelations.
HEAD AND LIMBS
OF GIRL MISSING
Unless Bisected Torso Is Identi.
fed, No Chance to Convict
Slayer Unless He Confesses.
Police of Two States
Work on Different
Theories.

New York, September S.-AIore than
three days after the discovery of the
dis!nembered body of a young woman
in the Hudson River near Woodclifr,
y. J., the police tonight were without
any definite proof OF tho identity of
the victim. but had secured evidence
showing that her murder was the most
brutal that had ever come under their
observation.
| The girl was literally cut to pieces
while alive. She was dismembered
while life was still in her body, and
death was due to the loss OF blood
caused by the severance of her head
and limbs.
This was definitely established this
afternoon. when three physicians per-
{ formed an autopsy upon the TWO seq
inents of the victims torso found In
the hudson on Friday and Sunday. Be
cause the victims head has not yet
| been found the physicians were un-
able to determine that tho slayer had
even stunned the girl with n blow be-
| fore he decapitated her and cut Off
| her limbs. on the torso there was
no mark OF stab or bullet. and in the
stomach there was no trace of poison
! Two Cities In Autopsy.
! Two cities-Ncw York and Hobollcn,
y. J.-werc represented at the autopsy
which was performed by COUNTY Ply
sician George w. King. OF Hoboken.
and his aide. DR. Arthur ]. Haskins,
assisted by Coroner's Physician T. j.
Leblanc. of Manhattan. The lay wit
nesses were representatives of the Dis
trict Attorney of New York and Hud-
| son County y. ].
This was the verdict OF the physi-
! clans:
| .no,th ,r,, 49, o.
caused by the severance OF the femoral
artery. abdominal aorta, carotid and
| brachial arteries"
These arteries were severed by the
murderer in his preparation TO dispose
OF the body. cutting it up so that va
| dropped in the Hudson at different
| points.
| ifHve Different Theories
| The Hoboken police expressed con
! hdence tonight that tho murder was
n parallel to that of BILLY" Brown by
I tim. this girl was TO have become
mother in a few months. The New
/ York police. however, were working
/ on a theory that a maniac was the
murderer.
! In this connection they were at
/ tempting to secure some trace Of Ella
! Stcrnemann. of Brooklyn. whose father
sent n letter 10 DR.. King, reporting the
| disappearance Of his daughter, and
/ stating that he feared she was the
! Hudson River victim. The letter was
of rambling nature, as If written
/ by victim of delusions.
Think They HIVE Clue.
The police followed up the clue. how
! ever. and tonight II was reported that
! they found in the room of 4 relative
/ of the Sternemann girl n quantity of
! wrapping papcpr and wire similar to
N " ha
/ OF the dead girl. The police intima ted
| that an arrest would be made within
! a few hours.
/ Sternemann is a millinery salesman.
| The wire found around the torso OF
the slain girl was such as is used in
! trimming hats. Sternemann has been
| known for many years an "eccen-
! trio chartct6r." Eight years ago he
| was arrested on the charge of trying
| to kill his wife with a saber. The
| charge was dropped by the wife, who
| has since died.
Can Trace Pillow Cnse.
An important development In trac-
| ing the slayer was made late in the
| day at Newark. y. j., when officials OF
the Robinson Rodcrs Feather Company
gave to the Hudson County authori-
| ties the name of the retailer who
bought from them six pillow cases or
| the peculiar size used TO encase the
| tOfSO OF Inc Siam girl
| 1t was said that the retailer would
| be able to furnish the names and ad-
| dresses Of the customers who bought
| the cases from him. 1t was the pecu-
| liar size of the case that brought
about this development. both whole
saler and retailer remembering them.
Expect Arrest soon.
Chief of Police Hayes. OF Hoboken,
received some important Information
| to oh nd
This means we Will make an arrest
as soon as we find certain man. we
shall not charge him with murder. but
hold him on suspicion"
An attempt was made to Identify
the victims body By Mrs Josephine
| Reckenwald, Of Hoboken. She said
that her daughter had been lured away
said that she had met tho man week
ago. but that he had refused TO give
her any information as to her daugh-
| ter She was not allowed to see the
| body.
Launches Patrol River.
In an effort to establish the identity
trolled tho Jersey shore all day to-
were not found.
was cut UP in New York and dropped
overheard from row boat in the Hud-
son. Without establishing tho iden-
tity Of the girl. they would be unable
to convict the slayer, unless he con-
| fessed.
| u,ho dOr pcDucId Arrfvea