The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-04-18
THE TRIBUNE.
A STARTLING MURDER.
Nan Killed to Prevent His appear.
ance rs Witness.

0nce rs q Witness.
From the Chicago Yrtbs0ne April IL.
News was yesterday brought to tn
Coroner that the dead body of man hat
been found lying in the water of the ca
nal, near the bridge, at Lock street, il
Bridgeport. The body was discovered
floating IN the water, near the above
bridge, by watchman in the blacksmith !
shop, close by the dredging machines. a
eight clock in the morning UndouDt
edly these dredges, engaged In the worl
of deepening the CANA, loosened the body
from the bottom. where it had probably
become fast Thus freed, the corpse
would naturally rise to the surface of the
water, where it was discovered floating
The report that the body of an unknown
man had been found in the water caused
an unusual degree of interest to be awak-
ened, from the fact that several persons
have recently mysteriously disappeared
from that vicinity. A large crowd of peo-
ple were quickly gathered on the bank,
and waited until the arrival of police
man should be followed by the removal
of the corpse to the shore, where they
might the more closely inspect it. AT
that distance, immersed with muddy
water. there was no possibility of its re-
cognition Besides, it had evidently long
been in the water, for it was covered with
slime and mud, which had for weeks
been gathering upon 1t.
Officer Caldwell reached the spot about
3 O. clock, and by his exertions, aided by
a number of those present, the body was
removed to the bank. The head and
face presented an appearance unsightly
ard revolving The scalp had been torn
off and was drawn back almost to the neck.
The face was disfgured by purple marks,
aud the neck was covered by bloody
bruises Upon the skull was wound,
just above the forehead, nearly two inch
es square, and penetrating the brain.
The wound was sufficient to have caused
death. The features as has been said,
were too much mutilated to be recogniz
ed. But the skin of the rest of the body
was white and clear, and not much ahec-
ted by its heightened exposure. The
clothing was completely encased IN mud
and dripping with ooze Yet when this
had been removed the hue and material
of the garments were discernible. In the
pocket of the vest was silver watch, and
in that of the pantalooms was a one dol
lar bill. These furnished enough for the
purpose of Identification, and it was soon
learned that the body was that of Michael
Tracey, a young man twenty-four years
of age, who had been employed in the
Rolling Mills at Bridgeport, and who has
been missing since the night of the Goth
of October last. On the afternoon OF
that day Tracey had been paid off, and
that same evening, he attended a dance
at place on the corner of Archer avenue
and Reuben street. During the evening
a dispute arose between several persons
present, and they all left the saloon fol
the purpose of deciding the difference by
ght The party had gone but short
distance when a man by the name OF John
Mahan, a most notorious character, who
bore the alias of BLACK Jack, began
to fight with another man. A person
named Michael Roach at that time a
newcomer in the city, seeing that Mahan
had the fight all his own way, remon-
strated with him. Upon this Mahan
turned upon him and began striking him.
Roach defended himself as best he could
until others came to Mahan's assis-
lance. Roach was then knocked down
and dragged out on the walk, where Ma
han fell upon him. While in this situa-
ton Roach was stabbed by Mahan. The
wound penetrated the left lung, between
the third and fourth ribs, inficting a very
severe wound. Roach at once cried out
that he was murdered, whereupon the
entire party fed Michael Tracy was
one of this party, and went off IN compa-
ny with Mahan. There had long been
an anlmosity between these two, notwith-
standing the fact that they were paying
their addresses respectively to two sisters
When Mahan and Tracy went away to
gether, it was the last seen of Tracy I'm
til his body was found yesterday morning
IS above described Mahan was ARRESTED
on the following day, and on his arraign
ment was held for further examination ii
the sum of $ 600. This continuance Wa
granted In order that Roach might recov
er from his injuries sufficiently TO enabl
him to appear. and that Tracy, the onl
person who witnessed the stahbing. nigh
be found TO appear against Maian. Ira
CIV could not be found and from the ina
hiiitv of Roach to testify positively tina
Mahan had inflicted the wound upon hlI
Mahan was discharged. Mahan immdi
ately left the city and has remained ava
ever since, though his whereabouts al
known to the authorities and his speed
arrest is considered certain.
1t is believed that no doubt can ext
UilAG lExiCy WAS ny
When Roach was stabbed it was suppo
ed that he was killed. Mahan doubtle:
believed this to be true and while fleein
in company with Tracy he must have r.
hected that as he was the only rerso
who could testify by whom the blow W;
administered, so, when he was out of tt
way, his own conviction would be unpo
sible Having arrivedat this conclusion
that other determination, to avoid an CIV
by removing the cause, must have bee
taken, and in the darkness, unseen al
far away from those by whom the dyiI
cries of his victim could be heard,
dealt the fatal blow. The locality of th
blow is shown by the deep wound Whit
was visible upon the kuli of the decea
ed when his body was taken from the ii
er yesterday.
Officers have been sent IN quest Of VI
han, aud it is probable that his arrC
will be accomplished to-day. An inqut
will be held uoon the body Of the mr
dered man at the Dead House, at "
al 5,tr