TIME MACHINE ... 1921..1896..1994..1893..1913

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(For those who have been following the articles from 1913 on the mysterious death of a young Salisbury office worker, this week's Time Machine concludes with two updates; others will follow in future weeks.)

　June, 1921

A road inspection tour of the "Chesapeake Peninsula" by an official of the Automobile Club Of America reported good progress being made in development of hard surface roadways through Maryland and Delaware extending down to Pocomoke City.

"Until the roadwork is entirely finished on the Dupont Highway, the completion of which is expected in 1922, motorists who intend to go as far south as Pocomoke City and Cape Charles will make better time and find all hard surfaced roads by going to Elkton and then south through Maryland. These roads, according to Mr. Wells, (head of the Automobile Club Of Maryland) are splendidly kept and might serve as examples to the other States."

However, the stretch from New Church to Cape Charles was described as poor dirt roadway. Mr. Wells stated, "It is never necessary to erect a sign to inform motorists when they cross the Virginia line, for no other State in the East pays so little attention to public roads. The result of this neglect is plainly seen in the contrast between the Virginia end of the peninsula and the Maryland-Delaware section."

　
　
December, 1896
(The Denton Journal)

Snow Hill, one of the most progressive towns on the Peninsula, is to have a complete system of waterworks. The contract has just been awarded for the constructions of the stand-pipe, mains, etc., at $15,000. The stand-pipe is to have a capacity of 600,000 gallons. There are to be forty-five fire plugs.

　
June, 1994

Christine Sigrist of Pocomoke City, a senior at Mt. St. Mary's College, was presented with the Art Club Of Frederick award for her "Best In Show" art presentation at the college's annual Student Art Exhibition. "Still Life With Eye," in charcoal, was her winning entry.



　April, 1893
(Pella Weekly Herald- Pella, Iowa)

The Eastern Shore of Maryland has been besought to give India the sweet potato for a food for the often famine-stricken millions of many East-India provinces. E.B. Francis, director of lands in the Punjaub, has written to a Mr. Bennett of Accomac County, asking for "roots well packed," as it is desired to introduce that vegetable into India, in the hope that soil and climate there will be peculiarly favorable to it.
　
　
June, 1913
(The Washington Post)

MAY CLEAR UP GIRL'S DEATH

Arrests Expected to Follow Inquest Over Miss Wainwright

Important Witnesses Sought by Authorities May be Able to Shed Light on Salisbury Mystery

Special to The Washington Post.

Salisbury, Md., June 25.- That one and perhaps two arrests probably will be made following the inquest here Friday night into the death of Miss Florence Wainwright, the 24-year-old bookkeeper of the Home Gas Company, who was found dead at her desk last Friday night, was admitted today by the authorities who are conducting the investigation.

The officers are trying to locate Joseph Niblett and C.A. White, who are wanted as witnesses in the inquest. Niblett was employed at the office of the Home Gas Company until recently, and he is expected to give some important testimony. White is also believed to be in possession of facts that will help to clear up the mystery.

Although all concerned in the investigation are sworn to secrecy, enough evidence has leaked out to convince the public mind here that the young woman was the victim on an unlawful operation.

Mrs. Wainwright, the girl's mother, said today her daughter did not complain of feeling ill when she left for work, and the presumption is the alleged operation was subsequently performed.

A score of witnesses have been summoned for the inquest Friday night, and officials say arrests may be made at its close.

They say also that when a warrant is issued a full and complete chain of evidence will be ready to present to the grand jury.


　
June, 1913
(The News- Frederick, Md.)

SUSPECT IS A MARRIED MAN


Governor Won't Interfere With Woman's Death Probe

Salisbury, Md., Citizens Criticize Police For Failing to Place Responsibility For Miss Wainwright's Death.

Salisbury, Md., June 26- Complaints are heard here that the local authorities are not sufficiently energetic in placing the responsibility for the death of pretty Florence Wainwright.

Indignant citizens started a movement to have Governor Goldsborough take a hand in the case. The governor, however, says as yet he has not been appealed to and will take no action until asked to do so.

The governor declares he has confidence enough in the local state officials to believe they will do everything in their power to bring the gullty person or persons to justice.

It is now assured that Miss Wainwright's death was due to an operation. The identify of the purchaser of a box of pills found in the young woman's desk has been definitely learned. His name is witheld, but suspicion is directed against a married man.

It is now believed that Miss Wainwright did not die at her desk in the gas office, where her body was found, and that the box of pills that were placed near her had little if anything to do with her death.

In fact, it has now become pretty well settled that Miss Wainwright came to her death from an illegal operation performed not long before her body was discovered. It is more than probable that such an operation was not performed in the gas office, and some hold to the theory that is was performed in the yard of the office, and that the young woman was then carried into the office and placed in her chair, her hands folded in her lap, to make it appear that she had died in this position.

One of the officials investigating the case stated that he had his mind fully made up as to the identity of the guilty party and on Friday there would be some witnesses from out of town, one from Philadelphia in particular, who would establish the guilt and place the missing "link" of circumstancial evidence.

The police who collected the personal effects of the young woman at the gas office went to the home of the girl, where they found that all letters and personal efffects has been destroyed. The parents refuse absolutely to discuss the case.

Miss Wainwright was a very popular young woman in Salisbury, of a good family and had a host of friends. For five years she had been the gas company's bookkeeper, and her work there was well done.

When Miss Wainwright's body was discovered there were no marks of any kind found upon it, with the exception of a small scar on the right cheek near the eye, and this may have been caused by a death struggle. Several of her hairpins were on the floor, and a part of her hair hanging down, and her dress was almost unpinned about the neck.

When the jury was first summoned on Saturday, Harry Dennis was made foreman and all the members were sworn to secrecy, but some of the evidence has come to light, and it is said to show that at least three persons were with the young woman when she died, though all had left some hours before her brother-in-law found her body.

(Another updated article will be posted on next Sunday's Time Machine.)
　
　
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