Smokejumper found a very interesting article to discuss. He only has an image snip of the article, so I will retype it here giving full credit to the source. I think this is okay, since we are not copying, per se, Boyd. If you think otherwise, I'll delete the post.
Source: Courier-Post, Camden New Jersey, Thursday, June 19, 1890.
Murder or Suicide
The decomposed body of a dead man found
"Scores of people in the vicinity of Atco, Jackson and Sloantown are visiting the scene of a horrible “find” on the New Jersey Southern Railroad at Jackson.
For some days past people walking along the New Jersey Southern Railroad have observed a terrible stench which emanated from the woods nearby. No investigation was made, the impression prevailing that the stench came from some dead animal.
Near by the spot is the house of John Regn, a well-known Jackson farmer and several other houses. The odor became so unbearable that last night Mr. Regn being annoyed by it in his house, went out in search of the object, with the intention of burying it. Within thirty yards of the railroad, he saw something lying beneath a tree and upon reaching it he was horrified to find the terribly decomposed body of a man supposed to be a negro.
Mr. Regn went immediately to the residences of Justices Giddings and Adam R. Sloan, and led them to the spot – only a short distance away – where the body lay. An investigation showed that the throat was cut ear to ear. Near by lay a razor with which the deed had evidently been committed. The features were unrecognizable, and were as black as coal. Upon raising the leg of his trousers it was found, however, that the man was white.
Justice Sloan immediately notified Coroner Jewett, and the body was left lying in the woods, no one caring to remove it.
Who the man is or where he came from is a mystery. He was dressed in coarse, but good sound clothing. Whether the case is one of murder or suicide is not known.
Though every evidence points to suicide, there are circumstances that may point to murder.
About ten days ago an Italian appeared at the residence of Justice Giddings, not far from the scene of the finding of the body, and told him that one of his countrymen had threatened to kill him and he was afraid he would carry out the threat. The man seemed to be in mortal dread, but being unable to fully understand him, Justice Giddings assured the Italian of protection and relieved his feelings. It is thought that this is the man. The thing will be thoroughly ventilated."
Source: Courier-Post, Camden New Jersey, Thursday, June 19, 1890.
Murder or Suicide
The decomposed body of a dead man found
"Scores of people in the vicinity of Atco, Jackson and Sloantown are visiting the scene of a horrible “find” on the New Jersey Southern Railroad at Jackson.
For some days past people walking along the New Jersey Southern Railroad have observed a terrible stench which emanated from the woods nearby. No investigation was made, the impression prevailing that the stench came from some dead animal.
Near by the spot is the house of John Regn, a well-known Jackson farmer and several other houses. The odor became so unbearable that last night Mr. Regn being annoyed by it in his house, went out in search of the object, with the intention of burying it. Within thirty yards of the railroad, he saw something lying beneath a tree and upon reaching it he was horrified to find the terribly decomposed body of a man supposed to be a negro.
Mr. Regn went immediately to the residences of Justices Giddings and Adam R. Sloan, and led them to the spot – only a short distance away – where the body lay. An investigation showed that the throat was cut ear to ear. Near by lay a razor with which the deed had evidently been committed. The features were unrecognizable, and were as black as coal. Upon raising the leg of his trousers it was found, however, that the man was white.
Justice Sloan immediately notified Coroner Jewett, and the body was left lying in the woods, no one caring to remove it.
Who the man is or where he came from is a mystery. He was dressed in coarse, but good sound clothing. Whether the case is one of murder or suicide is not known.
Though every evidence points to suicide, there are circumstances that may point to murder.
About ten days ago an Italian appeared at the residence of Justice Giddings, not far from the scene of the finding of the body, and told him that one of his countrymen had threatened to kill him and he was afraid he would carry out the threat. The man seemed to be in mortal dread, but being unable to fully understand him, Justice Giddings assured the Italian of protection and relieved his feelings. It is thought that this is the man. The thing will be thoroughly ventilated."
