Frances Smith
Encyclopedia
Frances Smith was a Smith College
freshman who disappeared in January 1928. Her body was discovered on March 29, 1929 in the Connecticut River
, near Longmeadow, Massachusetts
. Her full name was Frances St. John Smith.
Smith's body was identified by a bulging forehead and its height, 5'5" to 5'6", which were the same as Smith's. Reports from New York City stated that Smith's parents discredited the identification of the corpse. A Smith College friend confirmed that Smith wore a silver retainer (orthodontic device)
to straighten her teeth like the one which authorities found in the mouth of the body. The band extended from the eye teeth on the lower jaw.
The search for Smith extended to convents in Quebec, Canada and to Paris, France, where her aunt resided. Paradise Pond, adjacent to the Smith College campus in Northampton, Massachusetts
, was drained on March 29, 1928. Ice covering the pond prevented its being drained earlier.
Smith is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, Massachusetts
.
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
freshman who disappeared in January 1928. Her body was discovered on March 29, 1929 in the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, near Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,633 people, 5,734 households, and 4,432 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.69% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.90%...
. Her full name was Frances St. John Smith.
Smith's body was identified by a bulging forehead and its height, 5'5" to 5'6", which were the same as Smith's. Reports from New York City stated that Smith's parents discredited the identification of the corpse. A Smith College friend confirmed that Smith wore a silver retainer (orthodontic device)
Retainer (orthodontic device)
Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices, made usually of wires or clear plastic, that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth. They are most often used before or after dental braces to hold teeth in position while assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums...
to straighten her teeth like the one which authorities found in the mouth of the body. The band extended from the eye teeth on the lower jaw.
The search for Smith extended to convents in Quebec, Canada and to Paris, France, where her aunt resided. Paradise Pond, adjacent to the Smith College campus in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, was drained on March 29, 1928. Ice covering the pond prevented its being drained earlier.
Smith is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
.