Alice Mildred ORCUTT
TWO PHYSICIANS FACE CHARGES IN SUITCASE MURDER

Middlesex Grand Jury Indicts Robb for Murder and Swope as Accessory in Two Counts

"Cambridge, Sept. 18 - Dr. William M. Robb, Boston physician, was locked up in East Cambridge jail tonight to await arraignment Thursday on an indictment charging first degree murder. The physician was indicted today by the Middlesex county grand jury in connection with the death of Mrs. Alice M. Wolschendorf of East Bridgwater, parts of whose body were found in two suitcases in the Merrimack river at Tyngsboro the 1st and 2d."

"Another physician, Dr. Dalva A. Swope, of Brockton, also was indicted in connection with the same case. He was charged in two counts with being an accessory before and after the fact. State police officers who went to Brockton to arrest Dr Swope today returned reporting that they could not find him. Later, the physician's attorney telephoned Dist Atty Arthur K. Reading of Middlesex county that his client would surrender tomorrow morning. Both men were arrested Friday, Dr Rob on the charge of illegal surgery and Dr Swope as an accessory before the fact. Both entered pleas of not guilty when arraigned at Lowell Saturday and were admitted to bail. Then came the grand jury special session and today's indictments."

"Thought Robb Had Fled
Before the action of the grand jury became known, Dr Rob was seen to drive away from his residence in the Back Bay district of Boston, and the report spread that he was leaving the city. The police ordered all roads watched. Later in the day, however, the physician appeared with his attorney at the court house here and was closeted for an hour with the district attorney. He was then placed under arrest."

"Dr Robb was taken at once before Judge Frederick J. McLeod in superior court. He took his pace in the prisoners' cage and his name was called by the clerk. He was turned over to the custody of the sheriff until further order of the court. After a brief conference between Judge and counsel Robb was brought back to the court room.and Dist. Atty Reading moved for immediate arraignment, stating that s a special venire of jurors had been called for October and that he wished to have the physician's case placed before the court at that term. Robb's counsel asked for arraignment Thursday so that he might have time to study the indictment. He said his client desired a speedy trial. The judge fixed Thursday for Robb's arraignment."

"To Seek Missing Parts of Body
State police officers will leave early tomorrow for southern New Hampshire in an effort to find the head and other parts of Mrs Wolschendorf's body, the camp in the woods at which they profess to believe the body was dismembered, and a nurse, said to be in retirement in New Hampshire, who is believed to have been present when the alleged illegal operation was performed on the woman."

"A new element entered into the so-called 'suitcase mystery' today when counsel for George Wolschendorf of East Bridgewater, made public that first steps had been taken to bring suits to recover $100,000 from Dr Rog and $25,000 from William F. Bowen, of East Bridgewater, who formerly employed Mrs Wolschendorf. The suit against the physician was to be brought by Wolschendorf as administrator of his wife's estate. That against Bowen, it was said, was brought by the husband for alleged alienation of his wife's af-"

"Bowen who, with Mrs Wolschendorf's son, Harold, brought the woman to Boston, August 27, the last day she was live, attempted to commit suicide Sunday by taking poison and slashing his throat with a razor. He is in serious condition at Brockton hospital under police guard"

Dr Robb's Car Taken From Local Garage

"The Stutz car, belonging to Dr William M. Robb of Cambridge, principal in the Tyngsboro suitcase mystery, which has been stored in this city in the Three Level garage since the 6th, was taken to Boston yesterday by State Detective O'Neil, authorities at the garage said last night."

"It was impossible to learn whether or not any progress was made by Detective O'Neil in the search for the missing nurse while he as in this city. Beyond stating that his sole purpose here was to take the car back, the officer refused to divulge anything. He was in conference with State Detective David J. Manning during his stay here."

Date: September 19, 1923
Location: Massachusetts
Paper: Springfield Republican