The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-13
THE NORTON MYSTERY.

HIS DEATH BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN NArU.
RAJ oNE-rHE INQUEST 10 BE HELD TO.
MORROW
The inquest in the case OF Samuel r. b. Norton who
was found dead in the OF his barn. Far Rocka
way, on Sunday morning. is adjourned until to.mor.
row. DR.. Auerbach, by direction OF Coroner Mccarthy
yesterday made post-mortem exami nation, and do
cldcd that there was some conclusion OF tho brain.
not sufficient however, to cause death under ordinary
circumstances, and that the real cause OF death WAC
exposure. There ndentation mt the left temple
which, from tho position in which the body was
found, 1t Is judged was caused by fall This theory
sustained by tho further evidence to be adduced M
tho inquest, dispes the idea OF foul play aud
the son Frank rom tho suspicion, strong against him
at first, OF having caused his fathers death. Tho
blush discolorations under the and ut first
observed were tho result OF natural causes wore
not produced by stranguIaton, OF which there were
no other evidences, such ms protrusion OF tho
tongue, &c. Suspicion otherwise warranted by CIR.
cumstances, IL further avertcd from Frank by tho
fact to DO proved before tho Coroner, that he
East New York and tue city, not returning home until
SATURDAY, ana that his iather was seen about homo
Coroner that her husband expressed his intention to
visit New York on Friday, and that she then gave him
$50. When the body found there was less than
$l2 upon IT, and this was in pockctbook.
II is evident that the old adys mind considerably
SON. who lives in the ncighoorhood and who ut ha
ather's house on Friday alleges that the old gentle.
and he thinks that his mother must have given his
father the $50 some days previously.
A REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.
Tho body lays the back OF the barn from Friday
afternoon until sunday morning, and II seems remark.
able should have seen it, all tho doors
were open, front and rear. There strong wind
on Friday and the front of the barn was
Blown OF. The old man summoned assistance TO close
the others, but was persuaded, apparently against his
inclination, to iascn those in the open, so that
the wind could blow through, thus lcssening tho
danger OF tho barn blowing over, II being "a tumble.
down affair at best. IL Is supposed that the old man,
dissatisfied subsequently, went back with tho inten
ton closing the doors, when he was seized with n
fainting spell and fell and being unable TO rccoves
himself persisted. The body was stin when
found. Tho son Frank was tho FIRST to discover IL.
aud immediately gave an alarm The Suspicion OF foul
play seems 10 nave been natural one Mr.. Norton
noted as man oil strong Will and violent temper.
frequently IN lawsuits, aud often from trllng causes
lie had ~ this way wasted much property, and what
lac had lett was IN the hands OF his wife. rho son
Frank rs regarded AS dangerous man to large,
as he has apparently strong tendency TO insanity.
Al tue time surveys were beng prosecuted tor tho
Rockaway branch OF the southern Railway some years
ago he shot and severely wounded Mr. Robert White.
engaged Ia running n line through Mr..
Norton's property. He Is known TO havo repeatedly
threatened his iathcrs hic and only stort tmc ago
turned the old man out OF doors Hc IN a lunalo
asylum short time alter shooting Mr. White, but was
discharged as cured.