Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-12-05

In the accident which occurred on last we'd
nesday night resulting In the death Of Augustus
Myers the verdict Of the inquest was of an in
definite character, and may require an explana-
tion as to such rendering. The circumstances
connected with the case which involved II in mys.
ry'' are these all who were examined upon the
case as witnesses proved to the satisfaction of the
Jury that none who were with him on that even
ing had seen the deceased for some time pre-
vlous to the passing up of the train which, from
facts ELECTED, must have passed over him. Mr..
Sleeder, his employer, testified that he had paid
the deceased three dollars on the evening previous
and ten on the evening of the accident, all in one
dollar bills. Out of this amount It was found
that he had paid a debt oil 81 S5, and had spent
two or three dollars at the bar for liquor 1t
was sworn to by some of Ills friends who were
with him that evening, and who were known to
be very much intoxicated at the time, that deceas-
cd was not very drunk, while one of our police
men testified that he was helpcssly drunk an
hour or two previous to the discovery of his body
1t was proven that he had borrowed a small
amount of money for the purpose of treating his
friends. 1t was also testified that his habit was
to do so when he had money in order to conceal
his possession of it, when intoxicated with his
friends. This all points to q verdict of acciden-
tai death.
After the body had been removed, and the jury
returned after daylight to make an examination
of the ground, one of its number picked up IL
half-pint bottle and one dollar bill torn in two.
The bottle and the bill lay directly opposite the
deceased about ten feet west of the west track,
the body lying between the rails of the east track
1t was perfectly naked from the shoulders down
to the knees, around which his clothing seemed to
be spun in shreds by some forcible instrument.
His watch was found close to his body uninjured.
1t was one with an open crystal, and was usually
worn in his vest pocket attached to guard His
pocket book contained nothing. The wounds on
the head, according to the opinion of Dr. D. w.
Shndel, the examining physician, were of con-
fused character, and could have been inflicted
with blunt instrument In the hands of man,
or by being dragged on the track.
Here are correlative circumstances involving
the affair in mystery. But the origin of this sad
occurrence, whether accidental or otherwise, is
no mystery, and it should he a lesson to all who,
through the abuse of liquor, neglect their duty TO
themselves, their families aud society. If the
deceased had not been addicted to the use of IL
quor to The extent that he was, il is not proba-
bic that he would have met with so terrible an
accident, if it has been such and if otherwise ca
licr hours at home would have placed him out of
danger of falling into the hands of midnight ma
rauders. And were it not for the same cause
men would not be placed in the humilating posi-
ton of answering as to their whereabouts before
an nquistion, as was the case III the death OF
Aug ustus Myers.
1t was properly suggested by one of the jury,
that the borough council be asked to pass an or
diuance requiring all drinking places to be clos
ed at IL O'Clock against that class who allow
whisky to keep them from their homes and their
families during the night, and that the police sec
that the ordinance be respected.