New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-04-13
Two Human Skeletons.

7From the san Francisco Call, March PSI
4 few days ago the fact was briefly men,
toned in the Cal that the body-or rather
the remains of the body--of Z. man mad
been found III the brush about two miles
from Belmont. Some Cinnamon discovered
them while engaged in clearing the brush
away. They first found a skull, and then
found lying in a hammock OF blankets sus-
pended from the bushes a mOu ldering Eke'-
eton that had once been a mans. The dis
cOvery was reported to the authorities, and
an investigation was instituted. II was
noticed that the spot was the most secluded
that could have been found in that part of
the country: and from appearances it had
been used as camping ground by one or
two men. The skeleton was found TO be
clothed in rather superior manner the
under garments being OF good quality, and
the other apparel consisting of light cassi-
mere pants, light checked pattern vest, a
light cloth coat, and heavy beaver over
coat. The pants were covered with wacei-
proof overalls. and an overcoat ef the same
material was spread over the body as J. lay
in the hammock
Among the bushes near at hand We're
found a revolver, an umbrella and leather
va!se. The last named contained guam.
tity OF fine clothing. some new and other
that had been worn. Between the canvas
lining and the top of the valise was found a
fragment Of the NOrning Cal. of the date
of February Il. 1872. In a rats nest. a few
yards from the valise, We're found soda
bottle flied with laudanum and a silver
watch The watch was exhibited at the
police office yesterday. 1t is OF superior
manufacture; is a stem winder, eDamelea
back, and bears the name Of "Kos.
coe." manufacturer. On the inside edges
of the case a, the back these numerals az.
cut in different places. CIVIL" VII"
I'LL A silver chain is attached to i.
When the skeleton was lifted from the
hammock it was found that the bottom ..
the hammock had been soaked with blood.
and the garments in the 'neighbOrhood OF
the loins were also heavily stained from the
same cause. Beneath the body were also
found anumbe- of pads and bandages made
of strips torn from some linen garmrn'.
They had apparently been used 10 stop a
flow OF blood. The skull was found about
fifty feat from the hammock, having fallen
from the body and rolled down a decliyity.
Another skeleton was found about four
months ago. half a mile from the spot at
which the last skeleton was found. \ PTS
tol was also found near this skeleton. and
hole in the skull showed that death had
been caused by gun or pistol shot. Scraps
of newspaper found near the skeleton in
the former instance correspond in dates in
Dictated with that found III the hammock,
some connection between the deaths Of the
two men, which must have occurred near
the same time, about year ago. The first
skeleton was found at the foot Of a thclliy
wooded gulch leading directly to the local
ity OF the hammock.
Mr.. Phelps and other parties Interested
investigating the affair believe tha. the
men were maleiactors of some description,
hiding from justice. or that they wer" tug!-
tives from the city. Some quarrel sprung
up between them. and the difficulty was
settled by a pistol combat az the foot OF the
gulch. One Of the combatants me: his
death instantly by bullet sent into bis
brain. and fell where his skeleton was dis
covered many months afterWard. The other,
mOrtally wounded in the lower part of the
body. succeeded in regaining his camping
place. and after ineftectuaI attempts to STAY
the ebbing current OF lite. finally died. M.
seen and unattended.