The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Authorities. However.
More Eager to Learn
Whereabouts of Mel
lish Family
w ALTERS OFF
ON A HUNT
Authorities Make Little PROGRESS in
Trying to Solve the Mystery of the
Murdered Girl Whose Bones Were
Found Buried in Cellar

Bessie Guyer. the Mechanicshnrr
girl who was employed as a child 5
nurse by DIR. Charles L. Ayres, dentist.
when he resided at 1873 South Four.
tenth street, IN the cellar of which
mouse the bones of murdered girl were
found buried last Friday, has not been
esta aofished as missing according to
coroner Eckinger to-day. The authori.
mes, with the aid of DR.. Ayres. still
are trying to find her.
County Detective Walters. who is in.
vestigatng the case for District At.
torney Stroup, inclines to the theory
tnat the girl has married and her
identity as Bessie Guyer'' has been
iost since 1901, when she resided in
tne Fourteenth street house. Coroner
Eeklnger says he is in possession of
Iacts which lead him to believe she ia
sun ivlng at or nrar Mechanicsburo
since his trip to York to interview
Dr. Ayres, Detective Walters has been
engaged on second and what seems to
uhe o1hcials more important phase of
the case. He is trying to find the fam
ny or foreigners who occupied the
hcuse before DR.. Ayres moved in Fol
lowing lead that may result in locat-
ing the one family that lived in this
house that the authorities have not VET
communicated with, County Detective
Walters went to Middletown this morn.
ing.
Ehe name of this family. according
efIx. . l..
was Mellish, but so little is known oy
remembered of them that the authori-
ties are having difficulty in locating
them.
Coroner Eckinger, who Is keeping in
ciose touch with the county authorities
IN tins case, attaches more Importance
to the possibility of finding the missing
tamily than running down the clue fur
nlshed by DR.. Ayres concerning Bessie
Guyer. Eckinger said this morning:
Statement by Coroner
There is still one missing family
we are seeking to make the chain Of
residents complete German family.
we have been told There is nothing
to indicate that Bessie Guyer was the
victim of the murder. We learn that
ried. We will, however, bend every ef-
fort to locate herr
There was nothing more of value to
aid IN solving the mystery discovered
by the washing out Of the earth taken
from the grave. In all, seven barrow
loads were carefully washed over under
the direction of G. r. eastman, 2O6
South Thirteenth street. This work
was finished late yesterday afternoon.
1'his careful examination included ev-
cry bit of earth taken from the hole.
This work furnished no new clue as
to the identity of the victim, according
to Mr.. eastman. 1t produced more
small bones, parts of larger bones,
small white button here and there, but
no comb or trinket that would give the
authorities clue on which to work.
The bones were delivered to DR.. r. l..
Perkins, Coroner's s physician, last even
ing by Mr.. eastman.
After a further examination of the
bones uncovered after the first day, DR..
Perkins said he is not inclined to
change his mind as to the probable
length of time the body was buried,
which he said was from ten to fifteen
years.
Part of Jaw Bone Missing
Most of the bones of the skeleton
have been recovered, with the excep-
tion of part of the jaw bone. The
other bones of the skull were broken
up and the jawbone, DR.. Perkins said,
may have entirely disappeared, al
though it may have been buried with
the rest of the body. The part of the
skull recovered has four teeth which
never have been filed, and these are Of
little use to the authorities, they say.
When Coroner Eckinger gives his
permission to close the ''grave" in the
cellar at 1873 South Fourteenth street
it will be walled up permanently, ac-
cordng to w E. Jones, agent for the
property.