Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — BODY IN A DITCH. [ARTICLE]

BODY IN A DITCH.

Murdered Chicago Woman's Remains Are Fonnd Bnried. Pauline Merry’s body, bruised and battered, was found in a ditch by the side of a lonely stretch of road at Western avenue and 87th street, Chicago. It was taken to the county morgue the mute witness to clear away part of the mystery and corroborate the testimony of her prattling 3-year-old boy, who told that she was murdered by the man she acknowledged as her husband. The body was beginning to decompose. The neck was black and blue, and the imprints of a hand were visible. There was jrrut an inch long over the left eye and another of the same length on the right side of the temple. The face and nose were crushed in. Guided by Thomas Hickey, a companion of Christopher Merry, a detail of police started out in search of the woman’s bod} - . Hickey’s lack of familiarity with the streets and the fact that the body had been carted away at night made it difficult for him to find the spot where the body was hidden. Two or three times he halted the wagon and then changed his mind and said he was mistaken. At length the party reached the corner of Western avenue and 87th street, a quiet spot, and Hickey recognized the surroundings. He stopped and pointed to a spot at the roadside covered with dry leaves. The policemen were soon at work with their - shovels and when soqp; two feet of earth had been removed they came upon a bundle wrapped in bed clothing, which was tied about with a clothesline. The body was identified by Hickey and Policemen Ryan and Keefe as that of Mrs. Merry. The disclosure which led to the discovery was the confession of Thomas Hickey.