The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-05-21
WAS 1T MURDER, ACCIDENT OR
SUICIDE


o'clock. some boys while fishing on
the river bank, a short distance below
Wilson's saw mill, in the Eighth ward
discovered the body OF a man in the
water, which was partially concealed
by being under raft, which was tied
to the shore in the vicinity of where
they were angling, Squire Schultz
was notified of the discovery and at
once proceeded to empannei jury
and investigate the matter as far as pos
sible. The body was brought to shore
but nothing about the clothing OF the
man indicated who he was or In wha
manner be had met his death. Absu
his person was found 1886 in money
some granting combs and 8 business
card of Matthew W. Miller, which in
Dictated that he was painter His fact
was considerably decomposed and il
would have been almost impossible FOL
any person who had known him, to re-
coguize him. Under the circumstances
the jury returned the following verdict
Ohio County, TO ,Ctt::
An inauisition taken on the river
shore in the district OF Richie, in Ohio
county, on the Goth day OF May, 1874
before John w. Schulz, q Justice Of
the Peace OF the district OF Richie, in
Ohio county, upon the view OF the body
OF an unknown person there lying dead
the jurors sworn to enquire when, how
and by what means the said person
came 10 his death upon their oaths do
say that the said person came to his
death by accidental drowning.
In testimony thereof the said Justice
and jurors hereunto set their hands
John w. Schultz, Justice; VIM. Nc.
Phersop, foreman Abe Vernon, II. C.
Myers, James T. McCrady, w. n
Linch, Cbas. Funk, Jos. Doyle. Philir
Hoffman, jacob Honeker, D. j. Nc,
Cormick, Chas. King and Ferdinand
Bopport.
After the above verdict had been rem
dered, somebody suggested to Squire
Schulz, that the body found might b
that OF J. L. Hargraves, who was 6
painter, aud had been missing since the
25th Of April last. Mr.. Joseph Ton
ME, a friend OF Mr.. Hsrgraves, was IN.
formed about the matter, aud upon
viewing the body felt convinced that II
was Hargraves. Mr.. Tonne went tc
the wife OF the missing man for de-
scription OF her husbands clothing
which was given him, and correspondeo
exactly 10 that on the body OF the man
that was discovered IN tue water, arc
consequently removed al doubt as tc
his den LITIGATION.
How or by What manner Mr.. Har'
graves met his death will probably re-
main a mystery forever. Those who
knew him best say he never would
have committed suicide, and seem IN
clined to think that he was either
foully dealt with, or while returning to
his home on Wednesday, while in al
intoxicated condition, .ell over the
Zane street bridge into the creek below
On the night that the unfortunate mar
disappeared there was disturbance
on the aboverbridge, which lasted for
some time and the noise made by those
eng aged in it was distinctly heard by al
tn. residents of that locality. Posi-
bly, Mr.. Hsrgraves was pushed over
the bridge into the water by the drunken
brawlers The question L., was /
murder, accident or suicide?
Mr.. Hargraves was about fifty years
old, and leaves u vie and several chill,
drer. He had fair share OF the world
goods, and was well known to the most
of our people, having been in bushes:
On Main street for number OF years.