22 Sep 1905
Page 1
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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Sep 22, 1905
Page
1
A severed body, believed to be a pregnant woman, was discovered packed in a leather suitcase afloat near the Winthrop Yacht Club. Police and medical examiners secured the remains for autopsy as detectives search for clues and a perpetrator. No identifying marks or clues were found on the case or clothing.
Police report details a well-nourished female about 28 to 30 years old. The trunk shows incisions and severance with signs of scalpel use by skilled hands. Estimated height around 5 feet 4 inches and weight about 125 pounds.
Medical examiner Harris speaks privately about a brutal crime noting that the head and limbs were removed with skill. He cannot speak officially until the autopsy is completed, but suggests a possible surgical operation before the woman’s death.
A pilot opines on where a body may have entered the harbor waters near the yacht club pier. He notes drift time, tide movement, and channel mud flats, suggesting the body was likely thrown in shortly before discovery and could drift with the tide toward high water.
Two men at Winthrop Yacht Club find a floating suitcase at about 5:30. Small boys tow it ashore and uncover a dismembered female trunk under 30. Police state detectives and the medical examiner are summoned. Body and case taken to vault for autopsy and inquest to determine murder or dismemberment.
Patrick Thornton an 81 year old prisoner at Deer Island House of Correction escaped last night rowing a dory across Shirley Gut. He is believed to have stolen a horse in Winthrop later and is being sought by authorities.
In Allentown on September 21 Dan Patch paced a mile in 2 minutes 01 seconds before 75 000 spectators at the fairgrounds. An hour later driving a road wagon he lowered the pacing record from 2 11 and one half to 2 05, beating the world mark.
The olive green 24 by 8 by 16 inch suitcase showed heavy use. No side clasps, bent front lock, worn handle, ripped stitches, bulged sides from the body, rusty hinges, and a stout strap with a large buckle. The cover barely closed to conceal its contents.
Officials say the exact time of death cannot be determined until after today’s autopsy. Examining the original operation believed to cause the death will reveal when the procedure occurred. If the operation occurred days earlier, it will narrow missing person possibilities.
New York Sept 21 The legislative investigating committee hears extensive discussion on underwriting syndicates ethics. The Mutual Life record is cited as justified by financial norms in civil society and profitable for policy holders. Trustees participation is seen as beneficial though no joint accounts with brokers are shown.
Fair Friday with continued fair conditions likely through Saturday. Temperatures show slight change and light winds from the south to southwest.
Forecast for Friday and Saturday calls for fair conditions across New England and Eastern New York with moderate temperatures and west to southwest winds.
Fragmentary OCR provides brief temperature data for yesterday with scattered digits and letters. The legible portion references a 60 degree measurement and mentions dates in 1904 and 1905, though many characters are garbled and unreadable.
Boston police expand the manhunt for a slayer linked to a Winthrop murder. State Officer Grady and Inspector Douglas visited Boston sites, including the former Howard street office known as Old Dr Bailey. The search found no new clues after inspecting the house and embers in the front room fireplace.
Chief McNeil states a mutilated body found may reflect a surgeon’s blunder rather than cold murder. He notes autopsy to clarify if criminal operation occurred, calls in State police, and describes the suitcase and oilcloth wrapping as evidence. The body likely entered water within six hours, possibly from a steamer or local docks.
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