The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-13


A man going into Massillon on the canal tow
path on the forenoon Of Tuesday Of this week.
saw just north Of the canal bridge near the Kent
Jarvis place, the dead body of young man. The
body was without coat vest or boots. Word was
at once conveyed to the town authorities, and
soon Coroner Altekruse also advised.
About o'clock a Coroner's jury was sworn,
composed as follows 8. c. Bowman, Joe Hicks,
David Kerstetter, d. @. Bunnell, @. o. Traphagan
and W. Clay. The Coroner and jury we're soon on
the ground and viewed the body. In one Of his
pants pockets was found copy Of a Pittsburgh
temperance paper, addressed to r. @ Cooper. No
money or valuables we're found on his person and
pieces had been cut out of each wristband Of his
shirt that included the button holes, The cuff
buttons and collar button were gone. There was
no evidence OF struggle where the body was
found, and the body, no doubt was carried there
some time probably hours after death.
We happened to be In Massillon at noon Of that
day, and on hearing Of the dead body being found
we walked TO the place, mile at least, from the
centre oftown, and identified 1t as that Of Reuben
Cooper young man Of "a or 25 years, who lived
with his mother, widow woman, on Cherry
street, south of the railroad Canton. Young
Cooper was workman In AultmAns shop haV
ing worked there for years, He was his mctheri
main support. and good son to her, His death
is a severe blow to her and the friends. Cooper
was the name of his stepfather, and the young
man was known by that but his own father
name was sneyd.
Tho Coroner's jury took the testimony, undel
oath, of W. j. Davis Albert schertzer, Abe. Keller
John Derwalt, Hettie Nolan, Ida McCann, Henry
Weible, Frank Walter and John Floom, all o
whom we're In his company, or saw him durinl
the afternoon of Monday, and all say the yount
man was considerably intoxicated. The eVidenc,
of Doctor Ridenour Is that he died Of strangula
ton. post mortem examination showed he dit
not die OF heart disease. The thumb and fnge
marks on the throat corroborRte the Doctors testi
mony.
THE VERDICT OF THE JURY
after viewing the body and examining tn
witnesses, we do fiud that the deceased came b
his death by strangulatiOn, at the hands eff som
| parties unknown"
THE MISSING CLOTHES FoUND-S50O REWARD OF
FERRD.
Deceased was last seen In company with maj
named Zeigler, q canal bOatman, who was fol
| lnCllg SlhplOJOu Oh shO EAou ONN'Sii "HN We
sleeping in the boat. Zegler has not been seel
since Tuesday morning, and on Wednesda
morning, on feeding hay TO the horses Cooper
missing clothes were found on the ASA Cutler,
having been covered up with the hay. They cor
sisted of good oyercOat dress coat, vest an
boots. The kid gloves and sleeve and collar bu
tons were not found. The pieces cut out {
COoper's wrist bands were found near the tai
merry, a mile or so from where the body was found
The Massillon authorities offer $500 reward fC
the arrest and conviction of the murderers an
800 of the five for the arrest of the guilty.
From all we can gather, young Cooper had
money with him of any consequence. He lie
home, undoubtedly, with at most few dollar
We hope for the prompt arrest and conviction
the guilty parties, Young Cooper was not qua
relsome at any time, and always went well an
tastefully dressed. He was rather faVOrite
the shop and among his acquaintance.
THE FUNERAL
OF the murdered young man took place from Il
residence of his mother to-day (ThprsdayO an
was very lasgely attended, The stricken an
grieyed mother sisters and brother, and oth'
relatives received general and deep sympath
The Rev. Dr. Locke oiiciated at the funeral in
feeling and impressive manner.