Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-13
SEEK BOSTON NJ. D.
IN MYSTERY OF
HEADLESS BODY

Cambridge, Mass, Sept. 12.-District
Attorney Arthur K. Reading Of Md
dlesex county issued a statement to-
night stating that he was endeavoring
to find DR.. William NJ. Robb. ply
stefan with an office in the Back Bay
district, Boston, for the purpose of
questioning him regarding the cir
cumstances surrounding the disappear
ance of two suitcases similar to those
found in the Mcrrimack river Septem-
Der / and ., containing the headless
and dismembered body of a woman.
Four state detectives have been look
ing for the physician for several days
the district attorney said.
Search has been conducted in Bos-
ton and Springfield, Mass, and in Mar
lowe and Keene. n. H., and will prob
ably be carried to New York City,
where DR.. Robb is believed to be now,
the district attorney said.
The physician is 50 years old and
married. District Attorney Reading
said that Mrs. Robb is now in keene.
n. H, and is unable or unwilling to
tell of her husbands whereabouts. NO
warrant has been issued for his arrest.
On September l an automobilinS
party pa ssing near the Merrimack riy-
err in Tyngsboro saw black suitcase
in the water and. drawing 1t ashore.
opened it and found within the head
less torso Of young woman. The
suitcase also contained the disjointed
arms. The body had been severed at
the hips.
On the following day second trav-
cling bag of identical make was found
floating in the river two miles down
stream. 1t contained the legs of the
body found the day before, the ponce
stated. Search of the river and the
surrounding country has been in pro
grcss since but no trace of tho head or
the remainder of the body has been
found.
A diver was employed but without
result. Later two boys reported see
ing an object resembling the read OF
q woman floating in the Charles river
basin at Cambridge.
Authorities investigating the incl
don't found that on the night before the
finding of the first suitcase a speeding
automobile had crashed through
fence near a bridge snort distance
above the spot where the suitcase Wa9
seen. Later a woman called the Mlu-
dIescx county court house on the te!c-
phone and gave a number when she
asserted was that of the car involved
in the case. she rang OIL "ili4oue ~
vealing her identity.
Doctor Robb was for Is years phE-
sicjen in Kcene, n. Fl. In 1917 he was
convicted of malpractice and was hned
$1,000. At the same time the supula-
tio,, was made that he cease the prac-
tica of medicine in New Hampshire
since that time he has been located IN
Boston.
District Attorney Readings state
ment was: oaors
Stokes. Fleming. Ferrarl ana y Mem
have for three days and nights peer.
seeking to learn the whereabouts OF
DR.. William Robb. physician win
offices at $50 Massachusetts aNenu.,
Roston. Incessant investigation III
Boston. Springfield. Marlowe. \. H.
and keepe, y. H.. and in other COM
munities has thus far proved futlle'
"AIrs. Robb when questioned was
either unwilling or unable to ala the
notice in their quest. stating that hei
Lnsh,nd wont to New York on Ihurs-
dav hut did not leave an address she
bos further stated that she does not
know for how long a PERIOD III Ruoo
vii ROMAN away from home ana thal
she will have to hear from nun oelo'o
she can communicate with NM.
"Dr. Robb will be called upon 10 eN
,,.in certain circumstances connected
With the disappearance of two suit
cases similar to those in which tn, the
torso and parts of womans BODY
,yara found in the Merrimack river Ill
Tyngsboro on September l and =
ANY further data regarding th!s ~
vestigation which can properly
given to the press will be made pun
lie through this Office.