Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-18
THE DEADLY BLUFF.
Which Can XIII Man Every Time On
Tumbies Over It-ProtectiOn Needed.


Michael O'Connell. the man who fell
over the bluff on Bench street, between
Cedar and Minnesota streets, on Friday
evening, the particulars of which appeared
in the GLOBE yesterday, died from the eff
fects of his injuries yesterday morning.
During the night he was visited by Father
McMullen of the Catholic church, who ad-
ministered the consultations of the church to
the dying man. He was conscious most of
the time, but said very little about himself.
Coroner Davenport, upon learning of his
death, at first thought an inquest was not
necessary, but when number of our citizens
spoke about the dangerous condition of the
bluff in it's present unprotected condition he
decided to empannel jury as much
to investigate the condition of the bluff as to
ascertain the cause of the unfortunate mans
death. Had this been the only death along
this dangerous bluff, perhaps an inquest
would not have been required, but as mat
ter of fact, q number of persons have met a
terrible death there during years past. The
papers of the city from time to time have
called attention to this dangerous spot, but
very little regard was paid to the repeated
warnings. Finally the council took notice
enough of the matter to have short fence
built across the bluff side of Cedar street,
and there it has rested until another victim
is added to the list. 1t is idle to say that
this bluff is difficult of access, and that per-
SONS have no business there. It is sort of
lookout, and is daily resorted to by many,
and the only wonder is that there has not
been more accidents than have been record
ed. There are many persons, both old as
we'll as young, who need to be protected
against themselves. No matter who owns
the property, whether it be private parties or
the railroad companies, it is the duty of the
city authorities to see that there is proper
protection along the edge of the bluff. Chill
dren thoughtlessly gather there to play, and
single misstep will send them down
an almost precipitous declivity
of from seventy-fve to ninety feet. The
coroner's jury in the present case of poor
McConnell, visited the dangerous ground in
person yesterday, and after examining it very
properly embodied in their verdict recon-
mendation to the city council to have it
properly protected.
DIR. Davenport empanneled his jury yes
terday afternoon, and after proceeding to
city hospital and viewing the body, visited
the bluff and adjourned until 7:3O P. M,
when the testimony was taken at the coro-
| ner's Office. The following was
THE TESTIMONY
Officer Braemer testified that he saw the
man about $40 P. NJ, as he was passing over
the bridge. Saw the man apparently looking
over the bluff, and Just VIII en- his feet seemed
to give way from under him. He slid part
of the way down then he tumbied down to
the railroad track. In company with Officer
| Babe picked him up and took him to Wamp-
ler's drug store, where DR.. Jones saw him,
and under his directions we took him to the
city hospital. On the way asked him what
he went out to the bluff for. He said he
did not know. He said his name was O'Con-
nell, and was married man. He said the
night before he had 1856 in money
on his person, but it was
asked that q Catholic priest be requested to
visit him; know of three persons who have
fallen over the same bluff. No one could
fall over accidentally, as it is difficult to get
up on the bluff.
near the postoffce about o'clock in the af-
drinking, and was under the influence of
liquor. Helped convey him to the drug
store. Know Of one person who fell over the
same bluff. This was q year ago last spring.
DR.. Mattocks testified to the condition of
the man on his arrival at the hospital. He
| vase onscious. He said he did not know
how the accident happened. Did not de-
| tect any liquor about him. He died from
| the effects of internal injuries. Have doc
| tored number who fell over the bluff.
| Think this is the fourth now recall. Think
! the council has been negligent in not pro-
tecting the edge of the bluff.
This was all the testimony, aside from the
letters found on his person, obtainable, as
the man was evidently stranger in the city,
and his death was the result of accident and
the jury so found, and at the same time
recommended that the city council take such
steps as are necessary to prevent such acct
dents in the future.
The remains were given in charge of
Leigh & Co., to be prepared for burial. In
the meantime Chief Weber telegraphed to
the chief of police of Dubuque, the supposed
home of the wife of the deceased, and the
body will be kept reasonable time to await
any instructions his relatives may see fit to
give.
Census Returns.
Gen. Andrews and his assistants are sti
struggling with the census returns. Yester-
day they finished up the population of sew
eral cities in this district, the more impor-
tant of which are as follows:
Saltwater, total population 9,059. Almost