Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1878-10-26 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF MURDER. I The American wipers report the discovery of a murder of a man named Frank W. inbecker, at Bridgeport, New Haven, the sole object of which waa to obtain the value of hie body for the purposes of dissection. According to the story of a woman named Alexander,who lived with Frank E. Bassett, on July 12, W,inbrcker, also known as John Rufus nod " Stuttering Jack," a sailor, was taken by Bassett into his room ami gives supper. Ater supper, an he toy *stem, Hewett chloroformed ham end threatened to kill her (Alexander) if she interfered. He then cut off his clothes and shoes, and crowded the body into a flour barrel, which he rolled into a corner of the room. Next day he put it into a waggon, and, with - the woman, drove to NewHaver., where he compelled her to go into Dr. L. J. Senfern's Muse, and offer it to bior tor 530. for use in the Yale Medical School. At the inquest Professor 1 L. J. Sanford, of tee Yale Medical School, said that Atexander came bite his office last duly, and handed him a sup of paper, on which was written, "1 have a body sell for B 20." A. he ref need to buy it unleem she Could allow a death - certificate, and a written permission from the Bridgeport authorities, she, unsolicited, told hire that the evening before a numer of Men were quarrelling in front of her windows, that . one ,111 an struck on the head by another, and that he dropped ea if dead ; that the others threw the body over the fence into bin- yard, and that she picken It up at once and packed it in a barrel; in the oreleg she got a team and brought it to hue. lie told tier if she knew that any crime had be,. cornmisted, the should at once give notice to the authorities, and Mat she ought to take tho body back where she found it. He thought her story incredible, and supposed she Mid stolen the body, er was in collusion with come poor person to sell the body of a friend. Afterweres, seeing nothing in the papers about such a crime, be made no report of the interview. Alexander had visited him once before with !another woman, and both had tried to sell their.own bodies for dissection, but their propositions weremoe entertained. Ale wander amid she could get the college two or three bodies, bur he refaced the offer and Warned her to abandon her d:areputable purpose. Foie or five days afterwards she sent bim a letter.,. which shy naked him to diret her to a resurrectionist to help her. She said "I know where I can reap a haeveat if I have help, but I dare not trust eny one know with my secret. I ems get three now if I. have help." He replied that be could net comply with her request. ..We have no dealings with much people," said the professor. "To rob grave. is a mrious offmce Battiest the lees of the State. We gannet receive anything which has than been obtained. We shall not violate the law ourseives, or auist others to dd it." Another witness called waa Gaoler Wells. To hhe Bassett is sad to have confessed. He refused to testify until summoned before a proper tribune'. ' Re was committed for contempt, but released on his I own tecogniaances. The horrible nature of the crime and the peculiarities of the hearing before the jury have infected the case with great irrest.. Probably a thirdperson will be errceted.  •