Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-17

Yesterday morning, at 7:a0 o'clock, a. L.
Brennan, section boss on the st. Paul & Duluth
railroad, accompanied by three men, was
crossing the small trestle bridge over ravine
on the track near the Plow Works, Andrew
Nordu, one of the men, called attention to what
was thought to bea coat lying under the bridge.
Not much attention was paid to the discovery
until about $50 O'Clock, when the men re-
turned toward the city. A closer examination
showed that man was lying under the bridge.
An vestigation was Immediately made, and
the body of q man frozen stiff was found upon
the ground. There were two severe cuts on
the top of the head and several bruises about
the shoulders.
The body was recognized as that of George
Werner, who lived = short distance from where
the body lay, on the line of the rail road, and
the superstition was entertained that he had
fallen from the bridge while crossing it.
Word was sent to Deputy Coroner Daven-
port. Or. Stein being absent), and on his ar
rival the body was removed to the home of
the deceased and arrangements made for hold
ing an inquest at o'clock.
At the appointed hour the jury. consisting of
J. @. Markoe, James Murnane, Nicholas Gross,
August Kimpin and W. P. Gregory, accom-
| sentative (the only newspaper man presently,
arrived at the house occupied by the family Of
the deceased.
The inquest was held by Coroner Stein, who
arrived in the city about 2 o'clock.
TESTIMONY OF THE ELDEST SON.
The first witness called was Henry Werner,
the Eeldest son of the deceased,
who, after being sworn, commenced his testi-
mony with the remark, II have sworn to tell
the truth, and 1 wills" saw my father last alive
on Monday evening, between tho hours of $3.50
q on - IL = I'LL =
ering milk at my house, and as he did moi
| come with it called over to zee why; found
him and my brother August at home; he said
he did not feel well; I advised him to 20 to
bed, which no did; after talking to him on
some business l left the house; he
was in bed when left; I live about
half mile from my fathers house:
have not lived at home since was married
about four years ago; my mother was not at
home when was there; was told she was wash.
ing at a neighbours house; first heard of nv
fathers death this (Tuesday) morning about
10 O'clock; went and looked at the body, and
then went to notify the coroner; did not have
though we had some difference because did
not agree with him in regard to buying the
house where he lived.
AUGUST WERNER, SWORN.
Last saw my father alive Monday night about
$50 o'clock; my brother Henry came to the
house about o'clock; father; icomplained OF
feeling sick, undressee and Sent to bed; he
had no quarrel with Henry; after Henry left he
got up, dressed himself and went out; said he
was going out back of the house; looked
out the door and saw him 20
back of the house; went to bed
early; my mother was in the house when my
father left; my father and mother have had
frequent quarrels; did not think it strange that
foil n hnl
gone to Henry's to stay all night.
MARGARET WERNER, SWORN.
Am tho wife of deceased; left home
on Sunday noon to visit friends in town; re-
turned Monday morning at 9 O'Clock; remained
home until 8 o'clock in the afternoon, then
went to Mrs. Swickey's; came
but my SOD, August, said he had dressed him
self and gone out; never had any quarrels with
my husband except the usual little differences
between man and wife; my husband never
stayed away from home at night. but as Au-
gust said, he went out after Henry; thought he
was staying there all night; did not see my
husband alive since Sunday morning at II
o'clock; the boys were always good to the old
man.
L. BRENNAN SWORN
Am section boss on the St. P. 4 D. road; N.Y.
self and three men passed the
bridge about 7:3O o'clock this tues
day. morning; one of the men, Andrew
Nodu, said there Ia either coat or man I'M .
der the bridge; paid no attention to it at the
time; VIXEN we came back at $50 O'Clock went
down and found the body; recognized it as
George Werner. Andrew Nodu corroborated
the testimony of Brennan.
CHARLES '. JoUBERT SWORN.
Have known the deceased about seven years;
worked in the same shop with him; was called
to come to the house this (Tuesday) morning
and attend to the body; while taking off the
clothes found two pocket books, one
empty the other with So in it; in the coat pock-
ct found IS cents; Henry asked if there was d
which he deposited in the bank; found no bank
book on the body.
THE son HENRY RECALLED.
As this testimony opened new point Henry
was recalled. He stated that his father told
him during the conversation he had with him
Monday night that be had 800 hid in the cellar
but he would not tell him (Henry) where il
wos.
Mrs. Werner was recalled and said she knew
her husband had money but did not know
where it was.
August was recalled aaid that his mother
told him Monday night that she saw his father
cQab morning.
THE SONS ARRESTED.
At this point the inquest was adjourned. and
as the witnesses had contradicted themselves in
regard to the time when they last saw the de-
ceased alive. and the wounds on his
head were considered such al
would not be likely to be made by falling
from the bridge, Coroner Stein decided t.
hold the two sons until the inquest was con.
cluded. They were taken in charge by Officer
Gibbons and brought to the police station, and
from there were conducted to the county Jail
in default of 81 900 bail.
During the inquest it was learned that an.
other son, John Werner, had visited the house
soon after the body was found.
This was admitted to be SO, but August,
Henry and Mrs. Werner all stated that John
had not been near the house since last March
until yesterday morning, and the only reason
he came then was because he heard his father
was dead. It appears that John has not been
on friendly terms with his father since Decem.
Der 7, 1878, at which time he, with man named
Vim. Proetz assaulted the old man and beat him
| numerically. For thus act John paid fine
of So. Shortly after this he left for claim
a,hich no owno1 uoar Hartman and has 70.