Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-17
NEW DISCLOSURES
MADE IN NURSES
DEATH BY X-RAY
Pictures of Corpse Result in
Developments of Highly
important Nature.
INVESTIGATION CHIEF
REFUSES TO CONFIRM
Efforts to Learn Details From
Department of Justice
Are Unavailing.

Although the preliminary surgical ex-
animation of the body of Mrs. Virginia
Mcpherson failed to disclose evidences
of physical violence other than those
produced by a pajama belt tied around
her neck, there were indications here
today that an x-ray examination OF
the body resulted in highly important
disclosure.
Efforts to learn from the Department
Of Justice the nature of this disclosure
we're unavailing. J. Edgar Hoover, chief
of the Bureau Of Investigation, declined
to discuss the photographs in any way.
The corpse was x-rayed during the
second autopsy performed this week al
Kannapolis, N. c. The measure was
taken in a perfunctory way to COM
plete the Governments record in con-
raction with the exhumation. which
Vas ordered after local physician eX-
nressed the opinion that skull frac-
ture might have contributed TO the
nurses death.
Findings Stir New Interest.
II was learned today, however. that
kfe findings Of the roentgenologlsts nave
thrown new interest into the autopsy
nrnceedings, the formal report OF wnlcn
viii not be received here for several
days. .1s
After the preliminary study OF the
hndv by q group of surgeons from the
voTfan's home State, word was received
here that no skull fracture or other
mark of violence was apparent, with
the exception of the bruises caused py
the knotting of the improvised garrote
around Mrs. McPherson's throat.
with the receipt at the Department
of Justice of that preliminary infofr1a-
ton, it was evident that onclaH III
charge of the Federal inquiry were IN
agreement on the point that the autopsy
was a failure.
New Aspect on Situation.
Activity at the Bureau of Investiga-
tion today put a new aspect on the
situation The Star learned that the
officials now regard the supplemental
X-Ray and chemical examinations as
0f great importance. They are anxiously
awaiting complete reports on ootns Of
these scientific studies.
what was disclosed by the penetrat-
ing eyes Of the x-ray machine -
matter of keen speculation by Observers
Government authorities refuse even 70
hint at what was found
Merely by way of con lecture IL Is
uoirted out that X-rays might show
several important things escaping the
ewes of surgeons under the unfavoraole
conditions that existed during the Sec
ond autopsy. There had been rumors
Of a skull fracture, broken neck.
wrenched fingers and other things. :.
While the surgeons could not well
have overlooked a fracture of the skuli,
ii Ia regarded as not improbable that
a fracture of the spine or some bone
m other parts of the body could escape
discovery. Foreign objectssin the BODY
also would be apparent In an A-ray
plate.
thing important had been founo
through the medium Of the roentgen
rays there was a marked renewal OF
activity at the 3 1reau OF investigation
this morning.
Thomas e. Cullen, under whose direct
supervision more than a dozen opera
tiyes are working on the case, inter-
ripted his routine of questioning wit
nesses in order to go on secret
mission out Of the department IN COM
pany with E. j. Connolly. who had
charge of the exhumation in China
Grove.
Early Career Is Studied.
Two other agents who were with
Connolly in North Carolina were back
in washington today. The department
investigators made careful inquiry
at China Grove into the early career OF
Mrs. Mcpherson, who was well known
and greatly liked by residents of the
town. who knew her as Virginia Hurley.
The agents inquired particularly into
her associates there before she came
to the Capital to become nurse.
The Star was advised authoritatively
today that the Department of Justice
has no plan for an immediate arrest OF
any one in connection with the Nc
Pherson case. despite persistent rumors
to the contrary. No information war
ranting such action is now in hand
The department is investigating the
possibility Of the implication of persons
other than Robert A. Mcpherson, jr.
Who has been charged with murder by
a grand jury which investigated the
strangling.
Movements of these persons on the
night of the tragedy are being checked
and rechecked. and it is possible one
or several of them may be interrogatec
again before the inquiry is closed.
It is known the department today was
checking on information which, if veri-
fed. would definitely eliminate from the
picture a prominent local physician.