The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-16
TuE CITY.
BRUTAL MURDER AT THE 'CAvK

La
Great excitement was caused yesterday
morning by the report that man had been
murdered on Sunday night at the brOthel kept
near the Gave" about mile and half above
town.
The circumstances, as near as we can learn
them, are as follows: A party of river men,
composed of the first and second mates of the
steamboat Progress, lying at the wharf, and
several of the crew, took yawls early in the
evening, and went up to the cave house. They
there met party of men from the Minnesota
House in this city. The evening was spent in
dancing with the inmates of the house, and
drinking. About ten O'Clock, the second mate
of the Progress and one of the other party
named Trotter got into an alteration in the
hall, which resulted in the former stabbing the
latter twice, and almost Immediately killing
him. The river party then repaired to their
yawl and dropped down to the boat.
The friends of the murdered man, immedi-
ately came into town, and finding policeman
or two, prevailed on them to 60 to the wharf
and arrest the murderer when the boat should
land Several citizens and Waterman re-
paired TO the upper end of the Levee, and in
a few minutes yawl dropped along side the
Progress and several men got out and turned
into their hunks. Another canoe with two
men were distinctly seen in the middle of the
river, silently floating down, beyond doubt
containing the murderer. Two or three of
the citizens offered to assist Mr.. Morton, the
policeman, in taking the yawl, and arresting
the men, but for some reason he refused. AZ
ter much persuasion, he with the assistance of
the others, arrested several of those who came
down in the yawl, and lodged them in the
Jail.
CORoNER's INQUEST.
Yesterday morning, DR.. Goodrich, Coroner,
held an inquest over the body of the murdered
man. The body was found about hundred
and fifty feet from where the fight took place,
and the whole distance was tracked with blood.
Two wounds were found in the leg and thigh,
one of which severed the Femoral Artery, and
caused his death by bleeding.
The verdict rendered was:
"That the deceased, Peter W. Trotter, came
to his death from wounds inflicted by knife in
the hands of Mike Smith, alias Golden"
THE WEAPON.
The instrument with which the murder was
committed. is two-edged bowie-knife with a
heavy broad blade about nine inches long, and
heavy octagonal handle.
THE QUARREL.
The only witnesses to the quarrel was one
of the women inmates of the house, and man
who keeps the bar. There was some trivial
alteration between Smith and his victim,
when Trotter turned to the girl and remarked
that the ID son of b. had pistol. At
this epithet Smith seized him, and in the strug-
gle gave him the fatal stab. Trotter never
spoke, but sprang through the door, and ran a
few rods. When found few minutes after
ward, he was entirely dead.
THE BODY.
The body was brought into the city yester-
day afternoon for interment by the Coroner,
as the deceased had no friends. He was well
dressed, and respectable looking, and appar-
emily "a or 25 years old. From papers found
on him he was supposed to be from LeClaire,
Iowa, and butcher by trade. He had been at
the Minnesota House about week.
THE MURDERER.
The murderer has not been arrested. He is
we'll known, and Deputy Sherifs Pearson and
Prince having description of him, are in full
pursuit. We sincerely hope he may be brought
tojustice, aud meet his deserts.
THE EXAMINATION.
The others of the crew arrested were exam
ined yesterday morning before Judge Simons
at the Police court, but no evidence appearing
anainst them they were discharoed