The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-08-22
SUPPOSED MURDER.
A Wealthy Citizen of Joliet Found Dead
in the Chicago River.

Sundays Chicago Tribune says AT
two o'clock yesterday afternoon the body
of man, stirred from the bottom bys
passing tub boat, appeared in the river,
close to the Northwestern railroad bridge.
Officers Simon and Wells, on duty at
Kinzie street bridge, procured boat, aud
removed the remains TO the dock, whence
they were taken to the dead house on
Milwaukee avenue. The coroner was 20.
tilted, and an inquest was held later in
the afternoon The outward appearance
of deceased betokened respectabiIity when
in life. The features were those Of a man
of culture aud refinement, and the cloth
ing was in keeping with them. In the
pockets were found S9.45, and some
papers bearing the name of Firmaa Mack,
Joliet, Ill.
A portion Of a gold watch chain iangled
out of one of the button holes of the vest,
aud looked if it had been broken off from
the remainder. The other portion of the
chain and the watch could not be found.
After hearing such meagre evidence as
could be produced, the jury rendered .
verdict that the deceased had come to his
death by being drowned in the North
Branch of the Chicago river, but that the
testimony was insufficient to show how
he fell into the water, Immediately after
the adjournment of the inquest, Coroner
Stephens telegraphed to Joliet, inquirlng
if a person named Firmau Mack was
missing from that city, and furnishing
his description He received reply
shortly afterwrd stating that such was
the case, aud requesting him to keep the
body until night, when the friends OF the
deceased would take it away.
Between twelve and one O'Clock this
morning a delegation of prominent cl'l,
zens Of Joliet arrived here Oh special
train, and proceeded to the Madison
Street Police Station. Captain Gerrlty
provided them with an escort to the dead
house, where the body Of their dead
friend lay. His remains were depOsliea
in burial case, taken to the depot 10 a
hearse, and thence to Joliet. From Wha
can be learned of Mr. Mack 5 movements
it appears that he had left his home VH
Thursday afternoon for Chicago, ior tho
purpose of transactng some business WIN
the last manufacturing firm at Nos 10
and 115 S. Clinton street. 1t was n'
intention to return to Joliet durinS Inc DC
same evening. Finding that he was sun
absent on Friday afternoon, and tlia' ~
letter or telegram had been received i'0Il
him, his brother came to this city to seeA
him.
No traces OF him could be found now
ever, as he had not lodged at any hO'II
and had left the last factory Immediately
after transacting his business. No',;
theless, Mr. Mack searched for him u".
yesterday afternoon at five O'clock WI. WI
he was compelled to return home W " ~"
he was yet in the city the body had O.ta .L,
found, but had not been reported at -.
police station. Judging from apPeai'0ss,s
Mr.. Mack was murdered for bis "'I' u.
and money He had over 500 upon Tha -,
person, besides a draft for SiVU' n
latter was not touched, as it was iopnu
the same pocket with the S9.4o men'lOn,
elsewhere. The citizens of Jolle' ''
intensely excited over the affair ,o,.
Mr. Mack had resided there LOT lnO,
than thirty years, and was looked 'p0 pUe
as the father of the place. lie "'s laws
of the wealthiest residents, and was a. avn IN.
foremost in every scheme OF puOli0 #
provement that would benefit the m"s ha
the people. At the time OF his u'l'r and
was engaged in the wholesale oo!' tbs
shoe business, and had an interest - lies
shop for the manufacture OF those a. and and
in the State Penitentiary \ wiz IN.
five children are left TO mourn H''
timely end