Winfield Goss—Mr. Udderzook

In 1873 outside of Baltimore, Maryland, a body was found in the ashes of
a burned cottage. The body was tentatively identified as Winfield S. Gross,
who was known to have used the cottage for his chemistry experiments.
His widow and ten witnesses were certain that the body was that of Gross.
Mr. Gross had insured himself for $25,000 eight days prior to the fire. The
insurance companies refused to pay the widow’s claim.
A dental consultation
was then requested. Mrs. Gross stated that “there were no artificial teeth to
her knowledge and he never complained of pain or decayed teeth. No dentist
saw him during the time we lived together.” The remains were examined at
the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, where Dr. F. J. S. Gorgas gave a full
and detailed description of the jaws and the remaining teeth. There were two
teeth in the upper jaw and some misalignment in the lower jaw. These statements
were at variance from those of Mrs. Gross and other witnesses. The
insurance company thus claimed at trial that the remains were not those of
Mr. Gross. The verdict of the jury, however, was in favor of Mrs. Gross. The
insurance companies appealed the verdict. Within a month, the body of a
murdered man was discovered in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Gross’s brother-in-law, a Mr. Udderzook, had been seen traveling in Pennsylvania with an unnamed
friend. When the body was examined, the height and other characteristics
were similar to Mr. Gross’s. The teeth were in good shape and were well preserved.
Ultimately, Udderzook was charged and prosecuted for the murder of
Gross. He was found guilty and executed in 1874.6 We do not know the fate
of Mrs. Gross.