The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-05-07
NO ALCOHOL FOUND
IN WOMAN'S STOMACH
Food Had Been Eaten Four
Hours Before Her Death
= Strangulation Is Con-
firmed as Cause of Death
No Evidence to Indi-
cate That a Criminal AS
sault Had Been Com
mitted.

That Mrs Harry Z. Broadwell, the
victim of murder by strangllation,
whose unclothed body was found in the
Wheelock garden off North Main street
Sunday morning, had probably partaken
OF food at some hour later than her own
supper at home Saturday night is indi
Gated by the unofficial report submitted
from the state laboratory of hygiene at
Burlington after examination Of the
stomach. The report shows that the
food in the stomach had been eaten four
hours before the death of the woman.
II is said that the woman had supper
in her own home in the late afternoon
Of that day, probably $50 o'clock; and
If the food then eaten was that which
was found in the stomach by Drs. B, H.
Stone and c. i. Whitney it would point
to the theory that she was murdered
around $3.50 o'clock But that theory is
not considered probable because the
traces which the investigators have
brought to light, If reliable, go to show.
| it is said, that she was seen alive at an
hour later than 0:30. Much of the evil
dence concerning her movements during
Saturday night is being furnished by
woman who is said to have been her
companion during the earlier part OF the
| evening. but who AYERS that she lett Mrs.
Broadwell to go home.
| If second supper was partaken Of by
! Mrs Broadwell il devolves upon the au-
| thorities, in unraveling the perplexing
| details Of the case, to determine where
| this supper was eaten and to find who
was with her at the time. Several per
sons have been interrogated along this
line, it is understood, but the evidence
secured is being closely guarded by the
| investigators.
Along this line there has been reported
the story about vacant house having
been broken into and occupied some time
over the week end, but as yet there is
practically nothing in this evidence to
| link the Broadwel murder with the
party in the late hours of Saturday
evening are not given much credence
Tt has been determined by the autopsy
and the analysis of the contents Of the
womans stomach and organs of the low
er body that she probably had not par
taken of liquor, at least for some time
before death ensued. The unofficial re-
port from the state laboratory indicates
no trace Of alcohol in the stomach or iu
testines.
Another conclusion said TO have been
reached by those who conducted the au-
topsy and examination was that there
was no evidence that criminal assault
had Deen committed.
The report as to the cause of the
woman's death bears out the initial
statement that she was strangled
through the pressure of a handkerchief
and ono of her own garments drawn
tightly about her neck There was moth
ing in the stomach or in other parts Of
the body which would lead to any other
conclusion than that she was brutally
slain by means of this pressure on her
neck.
Aided somewhat by the report on the
condition of the womans stomach and
the positive statement that death was
due to strangulation, the prosecutors
continued their efforts to-day to run
down the murderer or murderers OF the
woman The dragnet of the state has
been spread over an overwhelming area
but as vet only one man has been ac-
tually detained for the purpose of iden-
tifieation. This man was detained at
Bethel last night, and later Deputy Sher-
in Granfeld went TO Bethel to look the
fellow over his report causing States
Attorney Davis to assert that the sus-
poet was not the man he is looking for
and that 80 far as the states attorney
was concerned there was no reason for
holding the suspect
All sorts OF rumors concerning the ar
rests of various men in Barre were in
circulation this morning but States At
torney Davis said that no arrests had
been made The states attorney aud tho
other investigators have the names Of
several men who arc said to have been
acquainted with the woman and these
men are being questioned Another con
ference was held this forenoon at the
Office of States Attorney Davis, with
several officials in attendance. Some of
the statements being made are being
taken for what they appear to be, while
others are being subject to the acid
test of eorroboratiop.
The remains Of Mrs. Broadwell, whose
funeral was held yesterday afternoon at
her late home on West street, were taxi
en- to-day TO her former home town,
johnson, where ntcrment is to take
place. The body was taken in the auto
mobile hearse of NJ. j. Whitcomb of East
Barre Accompanying the body, in other
automobiles, were the husband and the
three little children; George Courser, IA
ther of the slain woman; Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Parker of Cambridge, Mr.. and
Mrs. T. Everett OF Morrisyile and Mr..
and Mrs Stockwel The funeral yester-
dav afternoon was attended by the rela.
tives and several Of the friends cf the
slain woman and Of her husband. Among
those attending were fellow workmen of
MIR. Broadwell in the carpenter trade.