Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-09-19

the last day he was in the neighborhood.
Niles soon after, in answer to inquiries, stated
that Singleton when at Sheridan.
JUMPED UPON THE CARS
And started for Marysville, 1t was soon
after ascertained that David Long. who re-
sided near Sheridan, saw Singleton in the
wagon with Niles when on the way
home from Sheridan on the evening of
the time referred to. Interviewed sgain,
Niles repeated the statement that Singleton
did not return with him from Sheridan, and
explained his going to Marysville by saying
that Singleton had got into complications
about married woman below, and that he
didn't know what TO do with himself, and was
about half crazy. The train, of course.
did not stop at Sheridan but two or three
minutes, but it took Niles over twenty
minutes to relate what Singleton said to him
after the arrival of the train and before he
left upon it. During that time Niles said ne
told him where all his things could be found
in case he was never seen again. Suspicious
were now more strongly aroused, and it was
remembered that on the day following the
trip TO Sheridan Niles had had his hired man,
MIR. Ropp, fill up an abandoned well on his
premises, although il was stated that it was
simply done to prevent stock from falling
into It; and Ropp. in answer to inquiries,
said there was nothing in the bottom of the
well when he filed it up, he could plainly
see over the bottom, and Ropp was entirely
| |. EaI O, H.,
after the trip to Sheridan Ropp noticed that
the wagon Niles went with was badly broken
| up, but Niles explained it by saying that
while on the way home he ran over the side
of Coon creek bridge, about four miles away,
and made a bad smash up. AS Ropp was
FILLING Up THE WELL
On that day he noticed a wagon
track near the side of the
well, which he thought somewhat
strange and when he had completed the FILL
ing he followed the track. After going forty
or fifty rods he came TO windmill at which
Niles was at work repairing. and then saw
that the wagon Of which he was following
the track had been smashed up by running
against the corner of the windmill frame.
Ropp at once knew it was Niles wagon, as
bran was scattered around on the ground
promiscuously and this was Niles load from
Sheridan. Ropp thereupon said to Niles,
"This is hi of way off from Coon creek
bridget" Niles replied, NOV don't you
say anything about this to person living,
for want to sell my team, and il it gets out
i az 7 -
Ropp, however, seeing that Niles had lied
to him. told one of the neighbors of the cir
cumstancs, and this, in connection with the
filling up of the WELL strongly aroused a
suspicion that Singleton had been put out
of the way by Niles at that place.
light, which increased the feeling and fears of
the neig hbors, and which are mostly includ
in the testimony taken a. the inquest, which
is given below. Among these it was noticed
that Niles was wearing Singleton's gold
watch, but which was explained by both
Niles and his wife, saying it was presented
| by Singleton to Niles little boy. A short time
after, Niles presented an account of Single
toms agent, Reeves, to the latter for pay
ment, but was refused until Sirgleton's order
waspresented. Nothing further was ever heard
of the matter. About this time in various
conversations with different people, Niles
| made
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS
As TO the whereabouts of Singleton. These
statements now become important elements of
evidence During all this time there were many
to believe that Niles had murdered Singleton;
but all lines of investigation had their begin.
ming at the old well, and Niles owned the
land. In the meantime the field in which
ths well was located had been plowed and
soged and harvested, and all trace of its To-
cation had been lost. The bones OF Single
ton lag twenty feet deep, and no plow-share
would turn them up; 50 at last Niles sold
the place, feeling sure that bis secret was
safely hidden from man in the heart OF the
earth. But about two months ago the wit
ness, Brown, had learned of the transaction
with Stoll concerning the note. Here was
more Of the property belonging to Singleton
being used and appropriated by Niles.
Brown returned TO Lincoln determined to
have the old well excavated. He impressed
his views upon some of the good people of
that place. who volunteered to bear the ex-
pense of digging to The bottom of the well.
SEARCHING FOR THE REMAINS.
Last Thursday party consisting of L. B.
Adams, E. B. Heryeford, C. S. Hotchkiss,
John Purcell and Luther Jarris began the
work of excavation. The spot was
found after some search by slight
depression in the ground and digging soon
showed that the right locality had been
found. They continued work Until Friday at
2P. ~, when they came upon boards laid
quite regularly like rude floor. Most of the
party said, "Here IS the bottom, AMI no
body has been found" But one of them
thought the regularity of the flooring sus-
picious circumstance, and persuaded his CON-
rades to continue the search. They proceeded
lower down, and they found two and holt
] feet OF earth. They then came upon boards,
sticks aud trash irregulsrly thrown in. These
being removed another floor of boards was
| found. In this case one end of each board
was higher. Upon raising enc of those the
legs of a human body were discovered.
THEIR SEARCH HAD BEEN REwARnrD BY THE
DISCOVERY
OF the body of james Singleton. They at
once stopped the process of exhuming the
body, and notified the Coroner, MIR. J. d.
Rsdfern, and the District Attorney, W. 3.
Lardner. They did not further uncover the
body, but guard was placed over the well,
which remained on duty all night The
Coroner on Saturday morning took charge Of
| the work of exhumation, and by o'clock the
remains were brought to the surface.
| The news of the finding of the body
spread throughout the country, and the
most intense excitement prevailed on
Friday night and Saturday morning.
| The body was taken into the town of Lin
coin at II o'clock, and the streets of the town
were througed with excited people. La this
connection it is noteworthy that not word
of all this was sent cut of the town. The
special reporter Of the RECORD UNION was on
the ground, acting with the officers. But
the murderer had not been arrested, and
single word Of what was going nm MIGHT give